Vintage Amaro: Everything Old Is New Again
"I'm losing my edge, but I was there."
LUCA X BTP Residency
I’m excited to share the news that I’ll be making a return to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for a “Bittersweet Residency” at LUCA. I’ve been visiting Lancaster at least twice a year since the summer of 2017 and this will be my first public event and book signing this year and promises to be a memorable experience.
On Sunday, April 2 LUCA will be presenting two unique event opportunities to taste, talk, and learn more about this fascinating category of Italian bittersweet liqueurs with yours truly. Full details below. If you’re in the area I hope you’ll join us. And even if you live in NYC or Philadelphia consider making a day trip. Or come out Saturday for a proper weekend in Lancaster and find me snacking my way around tow (LUCA! Horse Inn! Cabalar Meat Co.! Pizzeria 211! Beilers Doughnuts!). I hope to see you there!
A ‘Bittersweet’ Afternoon at LUCA
The first event will take place from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, and will include an amaro tasting led by Brad Thomas Parsons, followed by a meet & greet and book signing with the author.
Ticket price of $75 includes: a welcome aperitivo cocktail, a signed copy of "Amaro,” amaro presentation and guided tasting of six amari and snacks from the LUCA kitchen.
“Beviamo Italiano” Preview Dinner
The second event will be an intimate ticketed dinner on the evening of April 2 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. in LUCA’s private room. The LUCA culinary team has created a pre-set menu that is inspired by Brad Thomas Parsons’ recent travels throughout Italy, working on his upcoming book Beviamo Italiano, which will explore the spirited rituals and traditions of Italian drinking culture.
Ticket price of $165 includes: tastes of Italian cocktails and wine, five-course meal, meet and greet with BT Parsons and discussion about his forthcoming book, and a signed copy of ""Amaro.”
Tickets for “Beviamo Italiano” Preview Dinner
(Note: the Preview Dinner sold out as soon as LUCA announced it this weekend but you can add your name to the waitlist in case there are cancellations or more seatings added to the table.)
Vintage Amaro at One Fifth
Speaking of amaro… One Fifth has been on my radar since I heard they would be stocking amari from all twenty regions of Italy, and I finally made it there last Monday night. The latest restaurant from chef Marc Forgione opened last summer at the notable address just north of Washington Square Park that has been in near-continuous operation since 1927, most recently as home to Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria since 2003 before closing due to the pandemic. The space itself is rich with history of the notable names who worked at different restaurants at the address over the years, including Patricia Murphy, Keith and Brian McNally, Alfred Portale, Anthony Bourdain, Mario Batali, and even Hollywood Squares mainstay Paul Lynde, who got his start there in the 1930s when it was a supper club.