DECESSI

Submit an obituary to info@ilpensiero.net by April 14, 2023 for the May issue.

A Special Note:

He Is Risen!

Carina Marino

and the Il Pensiero staff

Easter Mediterranean Dip

2 cans of artichokes

1 cup of mayonnaise

1 cup of Parmesan cheese more Italian Studies in the curriculum and display a strong interest in obtaining dual Italian-Brazilian citizenship.These trends are particularly evident in Bill’s home town of Serra Negra, which has 90% Italian heritage, and in the San Paolo area in general.

Chop up artichokes and add the ingredients and mix together. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with your choice of cracker.

When Old Becomes New

by Courtney Kamm

Local businessman and restaurateur, Anthony Favazza, is bringing back a lot of STL food history with his latest project.

In late 2022, Favazza purchased Hank’s Cheesecakes making this the third food business under his name — behind Amighetti’s and family-owned business, Favazza’s. Amighetti’s and Hank’s Cheesecakes are both local legends in the St. Louis restaurant industry, and Favazza plans to keep that history alive as he opens a collaborative location in the old Hanneke Hardware building.

Bill Macina, Founder and CEO of ITAMBRAS

My second contact is Italian Australian Zack Facione, He is an amazingly accomplished world class scholar-athlete, a seven-time all-American track star who is finishing up a Master’s degree at Wake Forest University, North Carolina. Interestingly, in the heart of that state, Zach is identified by peers and associates as Australian, rather than a person of Italian heritage!

Regarding the Columbus controversy, in Australia, as in Brazil, there are very few markers and no fuss about the Great Navigator. Of course, Australia was “discovered” by the Dutch in 1606 and rediscovered by British Captain Cook in 1770, long after the Columbian voyages to the New World.

As for Italian Studies, as we saw in Brazil, there is a growing interest among young Italian Australians to learn more about their heritage, perhaps as tourism to Italy is rising. But in schools and universities, Italian language is being cut out. Indeed, one university has ceased teaching any languages, stating that this study is not compatible with its mission (?) whatever that may be!

Zach lives in a suburb of Sydney, a major city which features its own “Little Italy.” But he has no such place in his American home of Winston-Salem-NC. The best he can do is visit Dioli’s Italian Market for some Italian specialities!.

Favazza acquired the Hanneke building in 2015, before purchasing Amighetti’s, and attempted to turn it into a multi-tenant retail space. Now, he has decided to recreate Amighetti’s, which closed nearby. A lot of the Hanneke building’s original glory was restored, including the green and black Vitrolite panels and parts of the original Hanneke Hardware neon sign.

As of March 28, you can stop by for an Amighetti’s sandwich and add a piece of cheesecake to your order, or pick up an entire cheesecake to go. They are open seven days a week.

Extra Sauce, Please

by Courtney Kamm

Buy Brazie’s sweet oil and vinaigrette salad dressing at J. Viviano & Sons on The Hill! The bottles are available in person or online. Shop salad dressings and more at shopvivano.com.

St. Louis Gets Another Gioia’s Deli

by Courtney Kamm

Gioia’s announced in a Facebook post in early March that they will be opening another St. Louis location this spring in the Interstate 44 corridor. Based on their post, this new location is in the Point 44 shopping center and will be located right next to Starbucks.

This is the fourth STL-based location for the James Beard award winning deli. Its doors are expected to open in late April or early May of this year.

Northern Italian Wine Dinner

by Courtney Kamm

Continued from page 5

Day”! On the second matter, about the maintenance and expansion of Italian language and cultural studies: unlike here, it is the younger generation which is very concerned with this matter. They lobby for

Zach Facioni, an Italian Australian, is a seven time All American track star at Wake Forest Univ.

I conclude by urging all readers to delve more deeply into the topics raised in this essay and to learn more about the geography and politics in your hometowns.

Silvio Laccetti, Ph.D. is a retired Prof. of History and has been a national columnist for 20 years. His self-named Foundation promotes Italian heritage and culture in the US and abroad.

Be transported to Northern Italy with Bartolino’s upcoming event “A Wine Dinner” by Anthony Saracino. This perfectly paired five course meal is an unforgettable experience that will have your taste buds souring. From seared Ahi Tuna and Sauvignon Blanc to herb roasted lamb and Amarone Classico, this is one meal you definitely won’t leave unsatisfied.

Northern Italian Wine Dinner takes place at Bartolino’s Osteria on April 5 and kicks off at 6 p.m. Reservations are required, so call 314-644-2266 to reserve your spot!

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Continued from page 6

When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

by Courtney Kamm

Pasta House closed a long time location last month in West County in St. Louis. The Italian chain’s location at 14007 Manchester Road now has a sign reading “closed” on its doors, but don’t worry because this is not the end.

Pasta House is set to open a new location in Kirkwood at 10312 Manchester Road, the former location of Pi+Rico which closed late last year. There is no word as to when this new Pasta House will open, but founder Joe Fresta told St. Louis Magazine that the Kirkwood space was “in perfect condition” and “almost all the amenities we’d need were in place and usable.” Stay tuned for more information on an official opening day.

Italian Film Festival USA of St. Louis To Host Italian Director

The nineteenth annual Italian Film Festival USA of St. Louis features nine recent, award-winning Italian films, in original language with English subtitles. Screenings held on Fridays and Saturdays of the first three weekends in April at Washington University.

Highlights of the festival include a visit by director Mimmo Calopresti who will provide a Q&A session after the screening of his film Aspromonte, Land of the Forgotten at Washington University on April 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is FREE and open to the general public. For further information, please visit the festival’s website, italianfilmfests.org or call 314-422-3102.

The festival is sponsored by Volpi Foods, with the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago as Cultural Partner; in collaboration with Washington University’s Program in Film and Media Studies and Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.

Celebrate Easter Sunday at Casa Don Alfonso

Join Casa Don Alfonso to celebrate Easter Sunday with a decadent brunch buffet service beginning at 11 a.m. The Casa Don Alfonso culinary team has carefully crafted a festive menu combining elevated takes on classic brunch dishes with regional Italian spring recipes. Guests may upgrade their experience with endless Bellinis or Bloody Marys or enjoy whimsical coffee and cocktail creations from the Casa Don Alfonso bar.

The menu will include dishes like Spring Pea Soup with Crispy Pancetta, Roasted Leg of Lamb with Rosemary Lamb Jus and Housemade Gnocchetti with Lobster as well as Truffle Eggs Benedict. An abundant spring dessert display will also include Mango Easter Egg Profiteroles, Chocolate Strawberry Pot de Cremes, Lemon Meringue Tarts and more. To make the day even sweeter, the Easter Bunny will be spending the day visiting with junior guests across The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis property from 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m..

Reservations are highly recommended and available from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The brunch buffet service is $80 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Endless Bellinis and Bloody Marys are $50 per person in addition to the price of the breakfast buffet service. To reserve, please call 314-719-1496 or visit the website, casadonalfonsostl.com.