Usually this time of year we are busy running around town gathering the last of the gifts, ordering cakes for the several holiday gatherings, baking cookies and writing up menus and shopping lists to make sure nothing is missing from our holiday tables. And in fact, I just finished ordering the last of the gifts.…
I had just moved to Trieste when Universal Pictures released the horror/comedy film entitled Krampus in 2015. I had never heard about the story of the Krampus which here coincides with the feast of Saint Nicholas (Dec 6th). During the month of December, there are celebrations lasting over several days in several of the mountain villages…
December came in like a lion — both in Trieste and the US. Watching the “Nightly News” from the States, I see winter storm warnings and footage of cars spun out on the highway while outside my window the Bora is howling and sleet is pinging against my windows…Ahhh, 2020, getting your last licks in,…
For the first time in 4 years I am not going to the US for Thanksgiving to spend time with family and friends. Thanks to Covid-19, this year we are staying put in Trieste and, to add insult to injury, current restrictions prevent us from sharing this special day with our local friends. So how…
An off-shoot of the popular online service, MY AMERICAN MARKET, has opened a brick and mortar shop in the heart of Trieste. YOUR AMERICAN MARKET is the brainchild of Andrea Abis and Gabriele Marras, owners of an American style 50’s diner, Planet Burger in Manzano near Udine. With Covid restrictions impacting indoor dining, they quickly…
The story of San Giusto (St. Justus) is that he lived in Tergesteo (the Roman name for Trieste) and was known to citizens for his charitable work. When charges of being a Christian were brought against him, he was tried according to Roman law. As a test he was required to make a sacrifice to the Roman gods, but…
My social circles have shrunk noticeably in the last 9 months. I no longer host dinner parties for 20, or 10 or really anyone anymore. Rarely do I meet friends for dinner or cocktails (maybe 6 times since March) and now with the new restrictions even those options are off the table. Socializing has become…
Recently I popped into Trieste Funghi to see what was in stock. Apart from big beautiful porcini, vibrant orange ovuli and yellow frilly chantarelles, there were an assortment of white and black truffles of varying sizes and a basket of dried, homemade tagliatelle. Without batting a lash, I bought 2 truffles and a package of noodles and voila’ dinner was figured out!
It goes by several names, the Pasta di crema Carsolina (the Carsolina pastry), La Zavata Carsolina or bedroom slipper of the Karst or simply La Carsolina. It is part of the Holy Trinity of Triestine desserts (Apple Strudel & Sacher Torte being the other two). To the untrained eye and palate it could be mistaken…
For those of you thinking you’ll be missing the rich fall foliage display customary in the US, you are in for a surprise — the Carso, also known as the Altopiano Carsico or Karst, offers an impressive display of its own. The protagonists here are what they call La vigna Americana or Virgina Creeper and…
Despite some concerns about going to art exhibitions in this tenuous period in our lives, I decided to call a friend and go check out the shows running in Trieste. First of all, the safety precautions in place are quite rigorous and reassuring. Sure, every now and then you’ll encouter a “maskhole” — that jerk…
With the high holy days upon us, my thoughts turn to the majestic Synagogue of Trieste. It comes alive this time of year as local Jews gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (“Jewish New Year”) and Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”); In fact, the Synagogue will be closed to visitors for the next month (until October…
With Covid-19 precautions in place, Trieste is adapting to the “new normal” and the events calendar is filling up with traditional events that have become milestones year after year and interesting new events that promise to offer entertainment and distraction from the general mood of 2020. With the last gasp of summer closing out August,…
Ok it’s September and I promised to return to the keyboard. Trieste is easing into the end of Summer and into what I like to call the “Fifth Season”. This is that time, after the traditional and predictable burrasca at the end of August — which saw rain, wind and flooding in parts of the…
Taking some needed time to center, re-focus and rest. Hope you all get the chance to do the same. See you in September!
