The inspiration for this website and his
upcoming cookbook began in Sicily, that island of enchanted flavors,
introduced by the civilizations that settled her shores and left
their influence. More specifically, it began in San Cataldo, a
mountain town at the heart of Sicily. It began in my mother's
kitchen, the same kitchen used by previous generations of her
family, "The Lunettas". Fifty miles away, in Comiso on the southern
tip of Sicily, my dad's family "The Laurettas" developed their own
style of cooking, using the skills and secrets of their ancestors.
Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, it
was only natural that Sicilians acquired a unique talent for
preparing and cooking seafood. I remember, as a kid, listening to my
mom haggling with the fish peddler outside our front door. He would,
in turn, be followed by the vegetable and fruit carts, or the cheese
vendors, all with the luxury of shopping at home.
Those
days are long gone, but the strong Sicilian roots left their imprint
on a ten year old who immigrated to America with his parents in the
1950's. I grew up in central Jersey, surrounded by the greater New
York city area. My folks opened their first restaurant in Perth
Amboy, New Jersey in 1961. They went on to own and operate over a
dozen restaurants throughout the 60's and 70's. My mom's home
cooking and my dad's business skills formed the basis of my culinary
career.
I consider myself a student, in the old
school tradition, of Italian cookery and have no patience for
Nouveau Cuisine or Fusion trends popular nowadays. I don't believe
food should be served in piles or erecting towers with it. Italian food is
kept simple, but is bursting with flavor. A well prepared meal
should leave you full and satisfied, but saddened that it's over,
like the end of a torrid love affair.
"Seafood, Italian Style", I confess is
slightly misleading. A more accurate title would be "Seafood,
Sicilian (raised in America) Style". Although my recipes have the
inherited Sicilian trademark, courtesy of my mom, Gina, I have taken
the liberty to experiment and alter them in subtle ways without
sacrificing their original essence. These changes through the years
have resulted in forming my own style and flair for Italian Cuisine.
The seafood recipes offered in this cookbook are a fair
representation of seafood dishes available at most Italian
restaurants around the country. They are taken from the menus of our
family restaurants including my own place on the Oregon coast,
Avanti's.
My passion for cooking is surpassed only
by my love for fine art. The marriage of
these two talents has only enhanced my skills in the conception and
presentation of all my dishes. A great meal is like a work of art.
It should be pleasing to the eye, as well as the nose and palate. I
come from the Mediterranean world, where eating is the highlight of
the day, to be looked forward to and enjoyed as in performing a
sacred ritual. It is in this spirit that I dedicate this book to my
family, the Lunettas and Laurettas, along with all the customers
that have enjoyed our food throughout the decades. I invite you to
share my secrets in creating your own unique "dining affair".
"Salute E Buon Appetito"
(To your health and good appetite)
flavors,
introduced by the civilizations that settled her shores and left
their influence. More specifically, it began in San Cataldo, a
mountain town at the heart of Sicily. It began in my mother's
kitchen, the same kitchen used by previous generations of her
family, "The Lunettas". Fifty miles away, in Comiso on the southern
tip of Sicily, my dad's family "The Laurettas" developed their own
style of cooking, using the skills and secrets of their ancestors.
Those
days are long gone, but the strong Sicilian roots left their imprint
on a ten year old who immigrated to America with his parents in the
1950's. I grew up in central Jersey, surrounded by the greater New
York city area. My folks opened their first restaurant in Perth
Amboy, New Jersey in 1961. They went on to own and operate over a
dozen restaurants throughout the 60's and 70's. My mom's home
cooking and my dad's business skills formed the basis of my culinary
career.
these two talents has only enhanced my skills in the conception and
presentation of all my dishes. A great meal is like a work of art.
It should be pleasing to the eye, as well as the nose and palate. I
come from the Mediterranean world, where eating is the highlight of
the day, to be looked forward to and enjoyed as in performing a
sacred ritual. It is in this spirit that I dedicate this book to my
family, the Lunettas and Laurettas, along with all the customers
that have enjoyed our food throughout the decades. I invite you to
share my secrets in creating your own unique "dining affair".