Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: Accademia Italiana della Cucina at Serafina

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

NIGHTLIGHT: Accademia Italiana della Cucina at Serafina

Last night, Peachy Deegan was welcomed into the Italian community by the Accademia Italiana della Cucina at one of our recommended Peachy's Picks, Serafina! The crowd was of course overwhelmingly Italian and quite sophisticated in the culinary arts. On a monthly basis, they visit new locations and represent Italy as a cultural institution. Chapters exist all over the world!

They were successful in promoting Italian culture last night to be certain as even Peachy Deegan, super critical and super analytical herself, felt she had met her match in terms of the level of food critique that provoked friendly discussion all evening as each course was rated by table. And she even learned a bit of Italian! Back when she was a student in Ireland, her favorite roommate Monica Silva was from Milan, so Monica if you are reading be sure to post a comment!

Our Mover and Shaker, Alessandra Rotondi moderated the evening:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/09/movers-and-shakers-alessandra-rotondi.html

Our Mover and Shaker, Vittorio Assaf was a gracious host:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/08/movers-and-shakers-vittorio-assaf-of.html

The night began with Prosecco Zonin, a fabulous start paired with the Aperitivo: Focaccia al Prosciutto e Fichi (Figs). Just lovely! You know if you read our review on Serafina that we love their Focaccia at Whom You Know. Our full review of Serafina:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/09/peachy-picks-serafina.html

Next was the Antipasto Carpaccio di cuori di carciofi e gamberetti al basilico. The shrimp was perfect thought Peachy! The dish, artichoke hearts and small shrimp with basil, was fabulously fresh and flavorful. Although we learned last night that it was not until the 18th century that artichokes were prevalent here in the US, in Italy they have been used everyday for a long time. Here it is:
Serafina did an outstanding job all evening, especially considering how many were in attendance (possibly 60) and all ate the same meal at the same time! Their caring attention to detail is unsurpassed in this city. It was served with Bianco: Vermentino di Sardegna (Sella and Mosca) and this was also served with the next course, Trenette al pesto di Portofino con fagioli e patate which is pasta with pesto, beans and potatoes. We were regaled with stories of Benedict the 6th and his love of potatoes by Berardo Paradiso, President of the IACE, Italian American Committee on Education.

"This dinner was interesting and different and it successfully appealed to the Academia's taste for Italian Fusion," said Berardo. "Serafina pleases the sophisticated palette of the Upper East side and the combination of tuna and ginger was superb." The next course was the Tonno grigliato del principe di Napoli con salsa di zenzero caramellato e julienne di porri : Grilled tuna Naples style with a sauce of caramelized ginger and vegetables. The tuna was sushi quality and was wonderful! Served with Rosso: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Zonin) and Contorno spinaci e pure di patate it was a hit! See here:

The whole night was a winner in fact, but you knew it would be since we already recommended Serafina! The tiramisu was exquisite and was paired with Pizza dolce alle mele verdi- that is sweet pizza with green apples! The final wine served was Vino dolce: Moscato d'Asti Strev (Marenco).

Vittorio Assaf let us know that it takes 15 minutes to shake the tiramisu by hand, and it is "Mauri" from Italy. Their buffalo mozzarella also is from Italy and the Galloni prosciutto is from Parma. What more could you want! A fabulous night was had by all and although she is not, Peachy Deegan felt very Italian last night!

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/