Portland

“Italians say that someone who acquires a new language ‘possesses’ it. In my case, Italian possesses me. With Italian racing like blood through my veins, I do indeed see with different eyes, hear with different ears, and drink in the …

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”  -Henry David …

Portland, Oregon is known for its trendsetting style and being ahead of the curve, so it is pretty surprising that there are relatively few gelaterias in town. The most recent one to spring on the scene is Pinolo Gelato on …

“Se avete due pani, vendetene uno e comprate un fiore, perché anche l’anima  ha fame.”  If one has two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a flower, for the soul also has hunger.   This Italian proverb spoken by …

It is Saturday night at the Columbus Day Banquet.  The Portland Golf Club is overflowing with smiling guests, drinks in hand.  Dinner is finished, the panna cotta is on its way, the music and dancing has started.  One man still …

Michel Ponzi, co-owner of Ponzi Vineyards, one of Oregon’s pioneering wineries, has spent his entire life building a hobby business into an international company. Born in Los Gatos, California, Michel moved to Oregon as a young boy, at the age …

Oregon Ballet Theatre has opened its 26th season with a program titled Amore Italiano, reveling in the culture and music of Italy. The threads of Italian culture dance throughout the program, from the costumes to the music and the passion …

“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” This quote by Italian poet, Cesare Pavese embodies the passion of Alessandra Gardino Melchiori Ranghiasci, a.k.a. Ale to her friends in Portland. Alessandra creates compelling moments for her guests during her tours …

Six Italian-Americans sit around the table, a barbecue just completed. Now it’s time to chat and drink a little. Seated are an engineer, a Shakespearean scholar, an inventor, an online historian, an expert on reading and memory, a cruise ship …

When Rick Gencarelli, chef and owner of Portland’s famed sandwich shop Lardo (known for its play-on-words motto: Bringing Fatback 7 Days a Week) opened his fresh pasta joint, Grassa, downtown Portland he wasn’t sure how it would be received. He …