LUXE LIFE
CRISTINA DE GIORGI Cristina De Giorgi runs Pasqualinos Bar Pizzeria in Newcastle along with her siblings Aldo and Joseph. The restaurant celebrates its first anniversary this month with a new open kitchen. The De Giorgi siblings are well-known in the Newcastle dining scene after creating some of the city’s most popular bars and restaurants including Paradiso, Popolo, Intermezzo, Alvinos, Secco, Don Vito’s and 9Bar Coffee. Cristina lives in Jesmond and has two children LUXE PEOPLE >> My beautiful children Luca and Rosanna. LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Has to be New York. After my first visit at 22 I fell in love with the vibrancy of the city and try to get there every couple of years for my fix! a long holiday > Lecce in Puglia, Southern Italy to stay with my parents. Not only do I get to see my amazing mum and dad but their home is on one of the most beautiful bits of Ionia coastline in Italy. a treat > Close House for an overnighter – gorgeous rooms and fantastic high tea. I am lucky that my best friend Mhairi whisked me off there a couple of months ago. We checked in, put our pjs on and experienced some of the best room service ever. LUXE RELAX >> Best food > All seafood, with white crab my current favourite with a little fresh chilli and spaghetti for a perfect supper. Best wine > I love all the big reds but a
MAR/APR13
Puglian Primitivo is very hard to beat. Favourite restaurant > Babbo in New York – not only for Mario Battagli’s amazing Italian dishes but for the fact you get a handbag stool so you don’t have to put your bag on the floor! Perfect weekend > Drop in to 9Bar Coffee for a quick burst of caffeine before Friday night comedy club with friends – always trying new places to check on what is happening in North East – great excuse to make socialising R & D! Saturdays were made for walking on one of our lovely beaches, fish and chips from Coastline in Blyth followed by one of their amazing ice creams – home for movie night with children and freshly-made popcorn. Very noisy and hectic Sunday lunch with all my family (my immediate family is 15) then a Sunday movie with my partner and Cadbury Clusters – perfect. Downtime means > As the restaurant and bar are open from 12 noon until late daily I really appreciate my downtime. Best telly > I really enjoy Stella, maybe as
a fellow 40-something I can empathise with her and feel incredibly lucky with my lot. Best book > I mainly read crime fiction and love Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta character and Kathy Reich’s Temperance Brennan. Last non crime book which really touched me was On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan. Best sounds > I am revisiting music I listened to in the 80s and am loving Joan Armatrading but have to confess that the Les Miserables soundtrack is on continuous play at the moment. LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > New York then London. Favourite shop: Barney’s NY closely followed by Barnes and Nobel NY. Luxe retail treat > Serenity in the City on Osborne Road. I love having a pedicure and even in the winter love looking down at my shiny toes. Best buy > A navy suede trench mac which always looks fab and is now in its third decade!
LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Meeting up with my sister, Ria and Ellena a friend from London in Pasqualinos for cocktails then dinner and then more cocktails! There is something deliciously decadent about sipping cocktails especially mid-week. Perfect party > A very low key La Sagesse girls’ reunion night last December turned into a mad party until 3 in the morning – good nibbles, fab cocktails and great conversation- perfect. La Sagesse girls still know how to party! Best dress > A knee-length Ronit Zilkah LBD. Asymmetrical neck line and hem, black but a little bit different. Dinner date > Meryl Streep – I love all her work – so versatile
Pasqualinos Bar Pizzeria, 1 Market Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 6BR tel 0191 244 2513 Twitter: pasqualinos_bar Facebook: Pasqualinos.
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