I have mentioned before how much I enjoy receiving the course offerings brochure from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.  Well I was reviewing September’s classes and noticed that during our upcoming Italian Food & Festival Tour of New York City (9/11-14), ICE is offering a number of Italian theme cooking classes for that weekend.

As if there wasn’t enough reasons to join us in New York, here are eight more:

• Italian Cheese & Wine
• Pizza In Rome
• Basics of Tuscan Cooking
• The Italian Steakhouse
• Essentials of Sicilian Cooking
• Arthur Ave Walking Tour
• Essentials of Tuscan Cooking
• Pizza, Pizza - A Class For Mom & Dads w/kids

I am planning on attending the Italian Steakhouse class for Saturday evening. The menu looks absolutely wonderful!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

9/12/09 - The Italian Steakhouse:Bold, natural flavors dominate the steak tradition of Italy, and you’ll learn to prepare two versions—Florentina and Pizzaiola. You’ll also make the classic accompaniments to these dishes, a trio of great starters and one fabulous dessert. On the menu: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (classic grilled porterhouse flavored with olive oil, lemon and garlic); Bistecca Pizzaiola (seared strip steak garnished with tomato sauce); Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms; Bruschetta with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes; Grilled Shrimp with Rosemary; Tuscan Bean Purée with Sage; Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins; Risotto Milanese; and Tiramisu.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: Daniel Stone
Tuition: $125 per person

We’ve updated our Italian Food & Festivals weekend by adding a walking and tasting tour of Greenwich Village, which is still steeped in its ethnic Italian origin. During our three hours guided tasting tour we will make stops at Italian specialty foods stores, an olive oil company, a 100-year old Italian meat store, bakeries and a couple of pizza shops. It should be a wonderful addition to our weekend.

We still have some availability for the Italian Food & Festivals Weekend. The 3nt/4day tour starts at only $579 per person, double occupancy. Contact our office at 888-685-0260 or email jstacy@itsyourtrip.com to sign up.

Bon Appetit!

This past weekend my wife and I traveled to Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival.  While there we visited two interesting museums - The National Crime & Punishment Museum and the International Spy Museum.  The Crime and Punishment Museum hosts the production studios of Americas Most Wanted TV show. Both were a good way to spend a rainy Saturday in DC. 

The highlight was the weekend was riding our bikes from Old Town Alexandria to the Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday.  We rode along the Mount Vernon Trail which is a very scenic bike trail that follows the Potomac River past Reagan National Airport and into the District. Alas, I had two flat tires before we decided to return to Alexandria and take the Metro to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Still the ride was very enjoyable.

On Monday we drove to Mount Vernon to visit George Washington’s estate. I was very surprised that we spent five hours there. I was only expecting to stay a couple of hours but it was very interesting and historical site.

Here are some pictures of the blossoms along the Tidal Basin:

2009 Cherry Blossom Festival

2009 Cherry Blossom Festival - Jefferson Memorial

2009 Cherry Blossom Festival - Pagoda

 We stayed at the Hotel Monaco - Old Town Alexandria for our trip and enjoyed it very much.  Old Town Alexandria is the third-oldest historic district in the United States and is a wonderful base to visit DC, which is a 20-minute metro ride away. The city offers a complimentary trolley the goes up and down King Street from the Metro Stop to the Waterfront so you can enjoy the many shops, restaurants and boutiques along the street. 

Enjoying Old Town Alexandria

I was delighted to find an authentic fish and chip shop a few blocks from our hotel, Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper  (728 King Street, Old Town Alexandria).  The first thing you notice when you walk in is their “Thanks Be To Cod” slogan on the door. The eatery is not very large with seating for maybe a dozen or so people. I guess they must do a fair amount of take away business.

The food is very reminiscent of the fish and chip shops throughout England and Ireland. During my visit they offered both Cod and Grouper along with excellent chips (square cut french fries). Being traditional I choose the Cod and it was very good and flaky. They offer six types of seasoned tarter sauces to choose from including a curry flavor. They also have Guinness on tap which was a nice feature.  Of course they offer deep fried candy bars but I passed on it this time.

I found the food to be of good quality and tasty but a little pricey for what you got. My large cod with regular fries was $11 and the Guinness was $5.25 a glass.  Still the atmosphere and food were a nice way to finish off our visit to DC.  And if you wanted to continue the Irish theme you can head across the street to Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub (718 King Street, Old Town Alexandria) for live Irish Music and a few more Guinness’s. Slainte’

Eammon Fish & Chips

Welcome to Little Italy, NYC

JOIN US FOR AN ITALIAN FOOD & FESTIVALS IN NEW YORK CITY (Sept 11-14, 2009)

3nt/4day Food and Festivals Weekend in NYC from $579 per person, double occupancy

Enjoy a long weekend of eating and touring the two best Italian festivals in New York City. Experience the Feast of San Gennero and the Arthur Avenue Ferragusto Festival, savor a cultural and food tasting tour of Greenwich Village; explore the Italian shops, delis and bakeries in the Chelsea Market, Greenwich Village’s Bleecker Street, Little Italy’s Mulberry Street and Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Experience the sights of Manhattan with an evening harbor cruise.

Highlights:

• Little Italy’s San Gennero Festival
• Arthur Avenue’s Ferragusto Festival
• Walking and tasting tour of Greenwich Village
• 2hr evening harbor cruise around Manhattan - view Ellis Island & the Statute of Liberty
• 3nts Fairfield Inn Times Square Hotel with breakfast daily
• Optional Italian Cooking Classes Available from The Institute of Culinary Education

Our group is limited to sixteen guests so reserve today! Transportation to New York City is not included but we can assist with finding you the best airfare.

Package Price:
$579 per person, double occupancy
$499 per person, triple or quad occupancy
$899 per person, single occupancy

Weekend Overview:

One of the great things about New York City is the many street festivals celebrating the ethic diversity of this great city. For our Italian Festivals weekend we will experience three wonderful New York Italian neighborhoods: Manhattan, the Bronx’s and Greenwich Village. Each boasts a strong Italian flavor. We will visit shops, delis and eat our way through New York City. What a great way to spend a weekend!

Following your Friday morning flight to NYC, we will meet at our Times Square hotel to travel Mulberry Street and Little Italy, home of the oldest, biggest religious street festival in NYC. The 82nd Annual Festival of San Gennero is a salute to the Patron Saint of Naples. The festival features parades, entertainment, ethnic food stands and of course merchants selling their wares.

Saturday begins with a morning visit to Chelsea Market. Built in 1898 it was the original Nabisco Bakery where the Oreo Cookie was created. Now it houses 12 of the cities best food shops including several outstanding Italian bakeries and the Boun Italia Deli. It also features the production studios for Food Network shows such as Emeril Live!

Next we will enjoy walking food and culture tour of Greenwich Village, which is still steeped in its ethnic Italian origin. During our guided tasting tour we will make stops at Italian specialty foods stores, an olive oil company, a 100-year old Italian meat store, bakeries and a couple of pizza shops. Later you will have some free time to relax or explore Midtown Manhattan before our evening 2-hour harbor cruise with a view of the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island, the entry point for many Italian immigrants.

Sunday morning is free to explore New York City. This afternoon we travel to the Bronx for the annual Arthur Avenue’s Ferragusto Festival, which is a major Italian national holiday. While its technically the Catholic Feast of Assumption, the Italians pretty much treat it like a Fourth of July Weekend. Arthur Avenue is like stepping back into the Little Italy of the 1950’s. Less touristy than the San Gennero Festival it’s a wonderful family day of food, wine and song.

Monday morning you will head home after a great weekend in New York City.

For more information or to sign up for the tour - please contact John Stacy @ 614/306-6091 or jstacy@itsyourtrip.com

Sample classes offered by ICE the weekend we are in New York City:

9/11/09 - Pizza In Rome: Rome’s pizzas, known for their thin crusts and judiciously chosen toppings, are famous around the world. Join pizza expert Gerri Sarnataro for a class devoted to replicating this Roman classic at home. You’ll make Quattro Formaggi (four cheese) Pizza; Fiori di Zucca (zucchini flower) Pizza; Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Pizza; Tomato, Mozzarella and Eggplant Pizza; Mozzarella and Sausage Pizza; Alici (anchovy) Pizza; and Ensalada Verde.
Duration: 5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Instructor: Gerry Sarnataro
Tuition: $110 per person

9/12/09 - Essentials of Tuscan Cooking: The simple yet refined flavors of Tuscan cooking are world-famous, and with good reason. Whether the product of one of Florence’s great restaurants or the simple dishes from a country kitchen, the integrity of Tuscan cooking has won applause for centuries. Learn some of the secrets of this venerable cuisine as you make and enjoy Bellinis (sparkling wine and peach juice cocktails); Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms; Pear and Fennel Salad; Crostini with Roasted Eggplant; Tuscan Chicken with White Beans; Pork Chops with Olives and Fennel Seeds; Florentine Porterhouse Steak; Cippolline Agro Dolce; Oranges in Marsala Glaze; and Almond and Anise Biscotti with Vin Santo.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: ICE Staff Instructor
Tuition: $120 per person

9/12/09 - The Italian Steakhouse: Bold, natural flavors dominate the steak tradition of Italy, and you’ll learn to prepare two versions—Florentina and Pizzaiola. You’ll also make the classic accompaniments to these dishes, a trio of great starters and one fabulous dessert. On the menu: Bistecca alla Fiorentina (classic grilled porterhouse flavored with olive oil, lemon and garlic); Bistecca Pizzaiola (seared strip steak garnished with tomato sauce); Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms; Bruschetta with Oven-Roasted Tomatoes; Grilled Shrimp with Rosemary; Tuscan Bean Purée with Sage; Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts and Raisins; Risotto Milanese; and Tiramisu.
Duration: 4.5hrs
Time: 6:00pm to 10:30pm
Instructor: Daniel Stone
Tuition: $125 per person

Please note that optional ICE course tuition is in addition to the package price listed above. In addition, these classes may conflict with a group schedule activity. There will be no refund for unused portions of the weekend package.