Holiday Gift Guide: The Spirit of Italy
Panettone, Pantry Provisions, Chips, Taralli, Ornamenti Natalizi...
On LAST CALL we’ve got you covered with Holiday Gift Guides for Holiday Advent Calendars, Food & Provisions, Drinks & Spirits, Books & Cookbooks, and Stocking Stuffers. Today’s Holiday Gift Guide is devoted to The Spirit of Italy. This is a super-sized dispatch and will likely be truncated in your email, so be sure to click the “View Entire Message” link to expand.
Today’s LAST CALL Holiday Gift Guide is available to all readers thanks to the generous support of Doladira.
The holiday season is the perfect time to stock up on Doladira, the transportive, all-natural, pink-hued aperitivo that evokes the crisp sensation of the Alps. A collaboration between Meredith Erickson and Richard Betts, Doladira possesses a distinctive profile of rhubarb supported by gentian, rosemary, elderflower, plum, and pine. Bright notes of rhubarb, cherry, and stone fruit are rounded out with a pop of saline and a drying, herbal backbone with a light, lingering bitterness. With 60% less sugar than other major aperitivo options on the market, Doladira makes a great low-ABV option for enjoying on the rocks, with soda, or in countless cocktail applications, especially a classic spritz.
In NYC you can find Doladira on the backbar at spots like Jac’s On Bond, PDT, Ray’s and Ray’s Hometown Bar, Public Records, Contra Bar, Amor y Amargo, Superiority Burger, Tigre, Il Buco, Massara, Bar Primi, Mr. Melo, and many more.
Dolomite
Try Doladira in the Dolomite, Doladira’s refreshing take on their signature spritz.
Makes 1 Drink
3 ounces Doladira
2 ounces grapefruit soda, preferably San Pellegrino Sparkling Pompelmo
Garnish: rosemary sprig
Combine the Doladira and grapefruit soda in an ice-filled collins glass or stemmed bulb glass. Gently stir to combine and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig.
Holiday Gift Guide: The Spirit of Italy
Panettone
An Italian-born holiday tradition, panettone is a sweet bread (think fruitcake, but not the bad kind of fruit cake) originally born in Milan that remains a popular tradition during the holiday season. You’ll find affordable commercial brands at your local markets, small-batch varieties from bakeries, as well as some on the more luxurious side that come in their own ready-to-gift box or festive wrapping paper. It’s a labor-intensive process for bakers, but worth the price for having (at least) one on hand to enjoy with your caffè or a glass of Asti Spumante (it also makes excellent French Toast for Christmas morning or New Year’s Day). Check out your local Italian market, and if you’re lucky enough to live near an Eataly, you’ll encounter dozens of varieties from Italy.
Last year I came very close to finally going all in on an Olivieri 1882 Apricot and Salted Caramel Panettone I had been scoping out at Eataly, but I couldn’t justify the expense. Will this be the year I do it? Right now I’ve get my eyes set on Philadelphia bakery Lost Bread Co.’s Chocolate, Cherry, Preserved Lemon Panettone to pick up at the Union Square Greenmarket (pre-order info will drop after Thanksgiving) and Friend of LAST CALL Patrick Miller, who appreciates the finer things in life, hipped me to Una Pizza Napoletana’s Lemon, Dark Chocolate, and Sea Salt Panettone which has my full attention.
Olivieri 1882
Based in Arzignano in the Province of Vicenza in Veneto, Olivieri 1882 Is known throughout Italy for their inventive takes on classic panettone. Baker and pastry chef Nicola Olivieri now owns his historic family business and ships their signature panettone, made with natural sourdough experiences a 48-hour double fermentation. They ship around the world, available in flavors like Apricot & Salted Caramel, Pear & Chocolate, Sour Cherries, Lemon & Pistachio, Emilio Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Carandini, Limoncello, and Grappa Nardini.
$95.00 (Olivieri 1882)
$93.99 (Eataly)
$92.95 (Goldbelly)
Classico Panettone Marchesi 1824
Pasticceria Marchesi has embodied Milanese style since 1824 and their Classico Panettone Marchesi 1824 comes beautifully wrapped in white paper and ribbon, made with a slow-leavening dough born from the Marchesi mother yeast, and is flavored with raisins, candied fruit, Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar, and Italian honey. This understated yet elegant panettone is a favorite of the Famiglia Nonino—known worldwide for their equally elegant grappa and amaro—who have kindly sent this to me over past Christmases.
95 € (Pasticceria Marchesi)
$89.00 (Panettone Artisan)
From Roy
Baker Roy Shvartzapel has cornered the market on his popular From Roy luxury panettone and you’ll very likely see his over-sized panettone popping up on many of your favorite food-world personalities’ social media feed this holiday season. Christmas orders begin shipping on 12/9 and include flavors like Chocolate, Banana Chocolate Caramel, Candied Orange & Raisin, Pistachio & Amarena Cherry, Lemon Poppy Mascarpone, Chocolate, and Tiramisu.
Settipanni Bakery
Sicilian chef Nino Settipanni opened his Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Settipanni Bakery in 1990 and his panettone proved so popular he kept it on the menu year-round. They ship nationwide via Goldbelly and are on the more modern, adventurous side, filling-wise, with flavors like Rainbow Cookie and Nutella (a bestseller created by Nino's daughter, Bilena).
More to Explore
Una Pizza Napoletana Lemon, Dark Chocolate, and Sea Salt Panettone ($85.00, Una Pizza Napoletana; $109.95, Goldbelly)
MISI Pasta x From Roy Chocolate Panettone ($102.00, In-Store Pick-Up at MISI or Order Online)
Lost Bread Co. Chocolate, Cherry, Preserved Lemon Panettone (Online Ordering, Philadelphia and NYC Greenmarket Pick-Up Details available after Thanksgiving; Lost Bread Co.)
Murray’s Cheese Rustichella D'Abruzzo Fig & Chocolate Panettone ($48.99, In-Store at Murray’s Bleecker Street or online at Murray’s Cheese)
Galup Pear and Chocolate Panettone ($41.99, Eataly)
Panettone con Amarena Fabbri ($29.99, Amazon)
Pantry Provisions
Lazzaroni Amaretti Di Saronno Tin
Don’t get me wrong, you can use these individually paper-wrapped, almond-flavor biscuits in a number of ways—crumbled on gelato, dipped into espresso, or grated over a pumpkin or squash ravioli—but I really dig these Lazzaroni Amaretti Di Saronno for the tin itself.
$34.99 (Amazon)
Amarena Fabbri Wild Cherries in Syrup
When you have a jar of Amarena Fabbri Wild Cherries in Syrup in your refrigerator you’ll be well stocked when it comes to cocktail garnishes or a topping for ice cream. The cherries alone are delightful, but don’t sleep on that delicious syrup (I like to add a splash to my at-home Manhattans).
$14.99 (Amazon)
Taralli
Taralli (or tarallini for the smaller version), the ring-shaped snack from Puglia, has the best elements of crispy cracker, grissini, and a pretzel and come in a number of flavors. They’re one of my Italian pantry go-to’s for quick and easy aperitivo snacks. Puglia Sapori is a popular brand you’ll often find in nicer supermarkets and Italian-American grocers, and they also make custom flavors for select accounts. My guy Frank Caiafa recently turned me on to their new Broccoli Rabe flavorway which I’m still seeking out. Their gourmet line with flavors like Cacio e Pepe and Speck con Formaggio are worth seeking out. I also really like Terre di Puglia (flavors include Potatoes & Rosemary and Aglio Olio e Peperoncino. Eataly usually has a nice variety to choose from.
San Carlo La Vita è Buona Potato Chips
Potato chips are a must for my at-home aperitivo and while a bag of classic Lay’s or Utz will knock it out of the park, I like to go all-Italian sometimes with San Carlo La Vita è Buona Potato Chips (they’ve been around since 1936 and are the No. 1 chip in Italy). They have Classic, Wavy, and Kettle-Cooked, but also more eclectic flavors like Paprika, Mint & Chili Pepper, and Lime Pink Pepper.
$6.49 (Eataly)
Tutto Calabria Crushed Calabrian Chili Peppers
Tutto Calabria’s all-purpose Calabrian chili peppers come in a number of forms—Whole Calabrian Chili Peppers, Hot Peppers Patè, Sauce, Oil, Hot Honey—but I always have a jar of their Crushed Calabrian Chili Peppers in the back of my fridge to add a little color and heat to my Italian hero, crostini, pasta, pizza, or soft cheese.
$8.79 (Amazon)
Lifestyle
Bialetti Moka Express Italia Collection
While working on my next book, Drinking Italian, whenever I asked Italians about what it means to drink like an Italian, most answers led back to the their cherished morning coffee ritual with their Bialetti Moka pot, a classic kitchen appliance found on most stovetops throughout Italy. I have a classic everyday model at home, but I also have this Bialetti Moka Express Italia Collection I picked up a years ago in Milan whose tricolore design evoking the colors of the Italian flag makes if feel like an object of art.
$36.86 (Amazon)
LEGO Icons Vespa 125
Channel your inner la dolce via with this 1,106-piece LEGO Icons Vespa 125 set. This pastel blue (a rare LEGO brick colorway), mid-century Vespa Piaggio comes complete with stylish accessories including a 1960s Italian license plate, a spare wheel, removable engine cover, helmet, basket, and floral bouquet.
Proraso After Shave Lotion
This one is for the ragazzi, but if you aspire to smell like an older Italian man I can personally vouch for Proraso, though I know I won’t win any points with the men’s style and fit scene. The Italian personal care and grooming brand founded in Florence in 1908 offers a full lineup of old-school barber supplies, scented shaving products, balms, creams, and cologne. An ex-girlfriend made me forego cologne (due to “allergies”) and since 2007 I’ve remained scent-free save for any subtle fragrances found in my Kiehl’s products. But, and forgive any sweeping generalizations, whenever I greet a stylish Italian man with a hug or kiss I’m always taken with the way they own their signature scent. I haven’t gone back to full-on cologne, but enjoy a bracing splash of the original “green” Proraso after shave with its clean, refreshing scent of menthol and eucalyptus. It’s fairly subtle and fades away much faster than a cologne. I guess I’ll have to carry a little vial of aftershave around with me ike Paulie Walnuts for when I might need a refresh.
Slutti Spaghetti Shop
Victoria Cece, a self-described native Jersey Girl now living in Rome, is an Italian food and beverage storyteller whose general state of mind is deep within a bowl of pasta. We’ve been friends for years and she was a helpful fixer while I was on the ground in Italy working on Drinking Italian, and she’s always one of my favorite “Brad’s Corner” companions at Dante when she’s back home for the holidays.
Through her Slutti Spaghetti persona on her always-entertaining Instagram, TikTok, and Slutti Spaghetti 💥 🍝 newsletter—where she wholeheartedly and unapologetically embraces her love of Italian food with no shame or guilt—you’ll find her traveling and eating her way around Italy with opinionated tips, tastes, and traditions on how to truly eat and drink like an Italian.
Victoria has been curating a rotating line-up of Italian and Italian American-inspired Slutti Spaghetti merch, and the all new “Pasta Series” will drop on the Slutti Spaghetti Shop tomorrow.
Marianna Fierro Holiday Shop
Marianna Fierro, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer and art director from Udine, Italy, specializes in Italian-inspired food and beverage illustrations and artwork (you may have noticed her Mortadella Kitchen Towel on Season 3, Episode 10 of The Bear). Her Holiday Shop is stocked with bright and whimsical Italian-inspired apparel, prints, stickers, and magnets celebrating iconic Italian food and drink like cannoli, bucatini, the Negroni, pizza, and spaghetti.
Buon Natale!
Mortadella Ornament
$22.00 (Party e Cie)
Provolone Ornament
$12.99 (Olivia’s Market Gourmet Gifts)
Cannoli Ornament
$19.99 (Old World Christmas)
Aperol Spritz Ornament
$21.99 (Old World Christmas)
Our thanks to Doladira for underwriting today’s LAST CALL Holiday Gift Guide.
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LAST CALL logo and design by Ed Anderson.
Love this list!!!
Honored to be included!!!