The Way to a Man's Heart - Is Through His Stomach!

Ciao a tutti,

There is an old saying that says "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." If this is true then I would have to say that no one knows the way better than an Italian woman.

I had forgotten just how true this saying is until I spent an enjoyable and delicious evening with Tina Maron, a friend and fine cook and baker. I saw her at a party during the Christmas Holiday, and she was telling me about her newly remodeled fancy kitchen. I said something silly like, "I would love to cook in it."

What was I crazy? The way Tina cooks? Why would I want to cook for her. Luckily, she was gracious enough to let me off the hook and she cooked for me instead.

So this is how it played out. I arrived at her home atop a mountain in Palos Verdes overlooking everything and she greets me with a hug, a kiss and a Pomegranate Martini, that's it, I'm staying!

She had set a place for me at the bar in her kitchen so I could sit and eat while she prepared the rest of the meal. I felt guilty for about a minute and then I let it go, because she insisted I eat and enjoy, and so I did. And what did I eat, well, she had made me Focaccia in her presto, lickety-split pizza oven.

So we chatted about this and that and I ate and ate and was full before she even finished making dinner. Dinner was served in the dining room, meaning I had to give up King's Throne at the bar and sit at the table. But that didn't mean she stopped treating me like a King.

Dinner was delicious and the conversation was lively as was to be expected, if not because we are both Italian-Americans, maybe because of the Martini's.

I learned a lot of things during dinner, not just about food, because she really is an amazing cook, but about Italian-Americans. First, and most importantly, I found out that she is a fan of my Filippo and the Chef Show and she proceeded to tell me who she would like to hear, and eventually see on the show, when we go to TV.

Did you know Rick Fox of the Los Angeles Lakers is part Italian? I didn't, but Tina did. She was a wealth of information. How about Brooke Shields or Prince?

I felt at first like she was testing me, and frankly, I was doing pretty well. I have a long list of celebrities with Italian heritage with names that would surprise people. But few people surprise me like Tina did with her input and knowledge.

After the dinner came the kicker. She led me to the TV room and she propped me up on a comfy couch and put a foot stool out for my legs and put on an Academy Award nominated movie, "The Queen," of all things. Here I was being treated like a King sitting watching "The Queen." It was a most appropriate choice.

And as I watched, she was in the kitchen, cleaning up and surprising me with treats every once in a while. Again, I tried to pause the movie so we could enjoy it together, but she wouldn't have it.


Once again, I tried to feel guilty, but I just could let myself, plus she just wouldn't have it. If I didn't know better, I would think she was having just as much fun as I was.

And frankly, since I like to play host, I know the feeling, and it is good to know that the guests enjoy themselves. Although frankly, I don't know if I have every treated anyone as well as she treated me, he, he.

One of the treats was an espresso made so good I politely asked for another, and she graciously obliged. Then she asked me if I was ready for Zeppole. Zeppole? No one has ever made me Zeppole except my Mother.

I had to have a picture of it. Sure enough, she made them right there and we ate them hot out of the oil, there's no other way to eat them. Oh, except with a Limoncello chaser, which she promptly provided.

I was still finishing my second espresso, but I didn't turn down the Limoncello. Since I didn't get to have Zeppole for the Holidays, this was a real treat and it felt like an extension of the Season.

As much as I ate, Tina wanted to send me home with left overs. I couldn't, I just couldn't.

She had reached my heart through my stomach and filled them both up and now they were both OVER FLOWING, don't Italians know the meaning of that? Talk about Abbondanza!

I had so much fun, before I left I asked Tina what she was doing next Friday night, and she just laughed. She either didn't get the hint, or she got it and didn't think I was serious. Either that or I guess you only get treated like a King once in a while, and I don't blame here. Of course I'm kidding but I hope she gets treated like a Queen herself now and then.

She reigns in my book!

All Hail the Queen!

Filippo

P.S. Here are two videos of an Australian comedian, Paulie, who has an interesting and funny perspective on Gnocchi in the first video sketch, and a short funny rap song about it in the second. (In English, or Australian, if you will.)

Merry Christmas - Buon Natale

Ciao a tutti,

"It's the most wonderful time of the year," to borrow a phrase from a favorite Christmas song. Since my last post, the parties, the cards, the E-mails..., and the fun keep coming and I am enjoying every minute of it.

Before I post some highlights for the week, I just had to post this card that I got last year from an artist fan in New York, Tony Mancino. I am not in the habit of saving Christmas cards but for the past couple years Tony has created these clever cards and has sent them to me at Christmas from him and his wife Grace.

This year's hasn't arrived yet, and I couldn't find the one from the year before, even though I am sure I kept it. So, above is last years card which I thought you would enjoy, and which he dedicated to our show Filippo and the Chef. At the New York concert this year he presented me with an amazing sketch he had done of me. That makes three artists so far that have been inspired to draw or paint me, not including the guy at the wharf in Monterey who does caricatures.

Actually, no joke, when I danced the tarantella as part of a dance troupe growing up, I did have a caricature artist approach me and ask me if he could draw me in my Sicilian costume. I don't remember if he gave us the drawing or not. I will have to ask my Mamma. If she still has it, maybe I will post up along with all the different artists' renderings of "Filippo," then again, maybe not.
Back to Christmas, every year one of the most impressive Christmas parties that I have ever been to is hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Davidson. You may remember Nadine Nardi Davidson from one of our past shows "Penne With Vodka Sauce," wherein I interviewed her about her book "How to Travel With Others Without Wishing They'd Stayed Home."

Every year, this party is quite the event of the year held at their beautiful estate home in Brentwood, and I am fortunate to be on the yearly guest list. This is a picture of Harold, Nadine and I.

I don't know about you but I still get a kick out of attending parties at grand estates with valets that park your car, security guards at the door who check the list for your name, when you walk in you are greeted with cocktails and hors d'oeuvre, and someone to check your coat, three bands playing throughout the house and backyard, which by the way is tented and carpeted with crystal chandlers and tables and tables with amazing flowered centerpieces, four food station with food from four Countries of the world, and several bars throughout the property.

I of course also enjoy the people all dressed up to the nines and dancing with the ladies. It has been fun too getting to know people and catching up with them over the years, like Robert Jacobson of Banana Bread Records pictured here with his girlfriend Dorit.

Besides being a producer, Robert is quite the accomplished and recorded guitarist. He and I have a runnnig conversation every year. Though he's not Italian, he travels back to Florida to see his family often, and on occasion will find himself there during the Italian Festival in his home town. He enjoys going to the festival but is bound and determined that I will sing at that festival one of these years. And so the conversation starts with, "Have they booked you for the festival this year?"

Here is another such acquaintance I have had the pleasure and get to know over the years through the Davidsons. She is Karen Leigh Hopkins, Actress, Director, Writer, Producer, and an all around talented person pictured here with me.

It has been great to hear about all her projects through the years and to learn that her latest project as a film writer is about to be released this February 2nd "Because I Said So," starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. The movie sounds fun and I can't wait to see it. As we Italians say "In Bocca A Lupo," which is the equivalent of "Break-a-leg!"

At this years party I was also happy to see and meet for the first time, none other than one of KFI's nationally syndicated, most stimulating talk show hosts, Bill Handle himself.

Just like he sounds on radio, the few minutes we spoke with each other, he proved to be everything you would expect him to be, energetic, highly entertaining, intelligent, oh and yes, you always knew where he stood on everything you spoke about because he made his opinion known.



It was a pleasure meeting such a highly successful and respected veteran of radio and heart warming to get his words of encouragement for my radio show.

Above he and I are pictured together and then I just had to have a picture with Marge, his wife. If you have ever heard the show, this is the lady he always mentions. Thanks Marge for indulging us both.

Here's a lady I don't get to see enough of but thanks to this party I got to see my friend Tina Maron. She just finished refurbishing her totally Italian kitchen in her home in Palos Verdes complete with steam oven and all kinds of great accessories. We tentatively have a date to cook together in her kitchen, and I can't wait. If she lets me take pictures in her kitchen I will make sure to follow up, it is supposed to be amazing.

From this great party I ended up going to two other ones in the same night. Though there were lots of Italian connections to be had and many I would like to write about, I think I am going to stop right here and get ready to take some time off and celebrate the Holiday with my family.

There is this last picture I wanted to post though, I promised people that saw my hat at various parties that I would post a picture of me with "The Hat," on my blog. It is definately an Italian Santa Hat. Italians are known to talk with their hands going all over the place, well, this hat followed suit and was all over the place.

What better picture to use than this one where we caught it in mind movement as it was going from one side to the other. My Italian Santa Hat and I are happily pictured here with Graphic Designer and Illustrator Helga Taylor and Music Engineer and Producer Arnie Geher. Incidentally, Arnie has worked with some of the world's top bands, singers and musicians. I am sure I will be writing more about him soon.

But in the meantime, a "Buon Natale to all and to all a Buona Notte!"

Filippo

P.S. In case you haven't picked up on it, there was a strong Italian and Jewish connection on this post and hence, I thought it would be appropriate to include this song which is one of the world's most loved American Christmas songs "White Christmas," written by one of the world's most beloved Jewish songwriter, Irving Berlin, and sung by one of the world's most beloved Italian singer, Mina, in Italian. (In Italian)