L'Italo-Americano

PAGE 16 L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 NICKOLAS MARINELLI Northern California Editor Una Cena Splendida per l'Emilia-Romagna Earlier this year, Emilia- Romagna suffered a serious earthquake and much tragedy ensued throughout the region. Maino Benatti, the Mayor of the comune of Mirandola, contacted San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee dollar-a-plate dinner. San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, flanked by California Protocol Chief Charlotte Swig, presented a proclamation declaring the day "San Francisco-Mirandola Friendship Day." The proclama- tion was received by the Consul General of Italy, the Honorable Paterlini and Suzette Gresham- Tognetti, Executive Chef of Acquerello, worked together to provide an unparalleled dining experience for their guests. Ms. Gresham's talent lies in creati- vely reinventing traditional dishes from all regions of Italy in a lighter, more contemporary Mayor Edwin Lee congratulates Com.It.Es. San Francisco President Romana Bracco for her efforts to raise funds for earthquake relief in Mirandola arancini as appetizers, paired with a delightful Trento Rosé Brut. The first course was a delicate cauliflower budino pre- pared with sharp white cheddar and broccoli and Brussels sprout California Protocol Chief Charlotte Swig. Mayor Lee presenting a proclamation declaring November 26th to be "San Francisco-Mirandola Friendship Day" to ask for assistance to rebuild their cherished and historic San Francesco Cathedral. Mayor Lee asked the Sister City Committee to join together to help respond to the call to action. Com.It.Es San Francisco, the San Francisco/Assisi Sister City Committee, and the Knights of Saint Francis of Assisi, organi- zed a special dinner of friends of Emilia-Romagna at Acquerello Restaurant, which was held on November 26th. Organizer Richard Armanino of ItalFoods, Inc. brought together the prominenti of the Italian Community of San Francisco for the two-hundred- Former San Francisco Supervisor Angela Alioto and Alicia Becerril guests in a warm and gracious atmosphere the moment they arrived. A recent renovation of the 22-year old restaurant highli- ghts the former chapel, graced with arches and a rustic wood- beamed vaulted ceiling, with warm Mediterranean colors of gold and terracotta. Acquerello owners Giancarlo particular strengths lie in his talent for pairing food with the ideal wines and in the impecca- ble European standard he brings to the seamless and elegant dining room service. The dinner consisted of Caramelle di Prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano with bal- samico tradizionale and truffled Mauro Battocchi on behalf of the Mayor of Mirandola. Named for its original waterco- lors, Acquerello enveloped the ItalFoods' Richard Armanino, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, Consul General of Italy Hon. Mauro Battocchi, and style. Mr. Paterlini, a native of Bologna, is acclaimed and con- sulted as one of America's lea- ding Italian wine experts. His Hon. Mauro Battocchi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco leaves. It was paired with a 2010 Fattoria Montellori "Mandorlo." The second course consisted of a herbed malloreddus with ragu of truffled mortadella and veal, paired with a 2009 Umberto Cesari Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva. The main course was a special- ly-prepared "Filetto di Bue Zalaffi" with rosemary scented Lambrusco sauce, paired with a 2004 Umberto Sangiovese Rubicone. The sumptuous meal was com- pleted with a hazelnut panna cotta with Amarena cherries gelée, teeccino granita, and Guanaja chocolate, served with homemade almond biscotti. The evening concluded with a silent auction with items donated Cesari Acquerello co-owners Suzette Gresham-Tognetti and Giancarlo Paterlini San Francisco is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organiza- tion. "Photo credit: Nickolas Marinelli" by businesses and members of the Community. Consul General Battocchi donated a "live auc- tion" item: dinner for ten at the Italian Consulate in San Francisco. The winning bidders were Esme Corbett and Mike Gold, whose extremely generous donation serves as an inspiration to would-be philanthropists. Those who wish to contribute to the rebuilding efforts in Mirandola may still contribute. A check made payable to Com.It.Es. " San Francisco" may be sent to Clare Badaracco, 2505 Gough Street, San Francisco, California 94123. Com.It.Es.

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