Letter from the Chairman
Happy Holidays GRI:
We have had a productive and eventful year for Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani and none of it would have been possible without the support and efforts of each of you, our valued restaurant and corporate members.
Through your dues, continued participation and involvement we had: a very successful GRI trip to Sicily in April for a group of 40 members, journalists and guests; a GRI-Giacomo Bologna Scholarship trip for 7 U.S. students who traveled to the region of Friuli in May and this year they were accompanied by the Director of Scholarships for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation providing our partner organization the chance to experience first-hand the itinerary of this educational tour; the launch of our new electronic newsletter; updates and enhancements to the web site including the new micro-site for our valued partners from Sardegna, the Sassari Chamber of Commerce; the web site updates will continue as we move into next year so that we may increase the traffic to the site and provide even more visibility for our members; and of course the annual Vino e Cucina Event held on November 24th in New York to support the GRI-Giacomo Bologna Scholarship Fund. With over 500 guests in attendance, the atmosphere was festive and lively in the beautiful Grand Ballroom at Gotham Hall.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Title Sponsor for Vino e Cucina from the region of Sardegna, the Sassari Chamber of Commerce. The delegation and producers travelled to New York bringing an incredible assortment of products which were utilized for several events including Vino e Cucina, special restaurant promotions and a product tasting for importers and distributers. We look forward to partnering with the Sassari Chamber of Commerce on future projects and events sponsored by GRI for our members.
Please enjoy some unique features of Sardegna highlighted in this issue as well as the new Region of Focus section on our web site.
On behalf of the entire Board of Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani we wish you and your families a very happy and safe holiday season.
We look forward to welcoming a new year and hope that it brings opportunity, growth and prosperity for everyone.
Wishing you all the best with your endeavors!
Italian Cuisine Forever,
Tony May, Chairman
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Corporate Members
GRI Welcomes New Members:
Domenico Valentino
Owner, Astrid Marzovilla
118 East 28th Street, Suite 605, New York, New York 10016
212-679-0822
www.domenicovalentino.com
Founded in 2001, Domenico Valentino Selections specializes in handmade, hard-to-find, natural wines
sourced from artisanal producers across Italy. From the award-winning wines of Fabio Coser and Ronco dei Tassi in Friuli to legendary Aglianico del Vulture bottled by Donato d'Angelo in Basilicata, the Domenico Valentino Selections portfolio includes some of Italy's most interesting and unusual wines.
Colavita
John J. Profaci, President and CEO
Nicole Jeannette – Asst. Director of Marketing
2537 Brunswick Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036
908-862-5454 ext. 129
www.colavita.com
Colavita USA, based in Linden, New Jersey, can trace its origins back to 1978 when, with a simple handshake, Enrico Colavita and John J. Profaci agreed that the American consumer should be introduced to a genuine, affordable Italian extra virgin olive oil. Today, Colavita USA remains a family business. John J. Profaci, joined by his four sons, Joseph, John A., Robert and Anthony, continue to grow the company focusing on Italian tradition and quality in all aspects of the business. To symbolize their dedication to these ideals and to celebrate the history of Italian food in the United States, the three Colavita family entities (Colavita USA, Colavita Olive Oil, Colavita Pasta) joined to help build The Colavita Center for Italian Food and Wine at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
During this holiday season, Celebrate Life ~ Fantinel Wines
Fantinel Wines
USA sales distributed through: Domaine Select Wine Estates, LLC, 555 8th Avenue, Suite 2302, New York, NY 10018,
212-279-0799,
Mr. Paolo Domeneghetti
info@domaineselect.com
www.fantinel.com
Marco Fantinel, President of Friuli-based wine company Fantinel (www.fantinel.com) — a new GRI corporate member — has launched the company’s Celebrate Life campaign. The Celebrate Life campaign, in tune with the holiday spirit, donates $1.00 for each bottle sold of Fantinel’s special edition Celebrate Life Merlot to the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), a UN Permanent Observer organization, supporting their work to eradicate global malnutrition.
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Restaurant Members
GRI Welcomes New Members:
 Carmelo's Ristorante
14795 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77079
Phone: 281-531-0696
www.carmelosrestaurant.com
As a native Sicilian, master chef and restaurateur, Carmelo Mauro has honored the land of his ancestry by giving Texans an exploration of the true variety of Italian culinary treasures. With two highly successful restaurants in Houston and Austin, Carmelo is winning over the hearts, and palates, of Texans, with food that is true to tradition. Carmelo is a member of the TRA Education Foundation Board of Directors, a former president of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association and current President of the Texas Restaurant Association.
 Caracalla Ristorante
Owner - Vincenzo Della Torre
102 Jericho Turnpike
Syosset, New York 11791
Phone: 516-496-3838
www.caracallaristorante.com
Caracalla Ristorante, named after the great Dictator of Rome, is owned by Chef Vincenzo Della Torre. Chef Vincenzo has embraced his culinary skills and has fulfilled a dream of owning one of Long Island's most elaborate and deliciously noted Italian Fine Cuisine restaurant. Taking pride in his menu and his service, Chef Vincenzo welcomes all into his dining room to share a meal that won't be soon forgotten.
 Antica Posta Ristorante
Owners - Marco and Alessandro Betti
519 E. Paces Ferry Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: 404-262-7112
www.anticaposta.com
Marco and Alessandro Betti, owners of Ristorante Antica Posta in San Casciano, Florence, Tuscany proudly invites you to taste the simple, flavorful dishes that have made Italian and Tuscan cooking the most appreciated cuisine in the world.The Antica Posta of Buckhead, brings to our community the same genuine, sincere cuisine of Tuscany.You will enjoy the delicate blend of meats, fish, vegetables, spices, and condiments that for centuries have pleased the palate of the most demanding Florentines. Welcome to the first authentic Tuscan Restaurant in Georgia.
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Cento Vini Restaurant • Bar
Owner - Nicola Marzovilla
25 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212-213-2119
www.centovininyc.com
Centovini: Italian for 100 wines. Winner of Travel and Leisure's Best New Restaurant Design Award for 2007, Centovini was created by legendary Soho impresario Murray Moss, Franklin Getchell (President, Moss), and restaurateur Nicola Marzovilla. The food is classic Italian with a contemporary touch by chef Patti Jackson.
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Photo Highlights
From Vino e Cucina featuring from the region of Sardegna, the Sassari Chamber of Commerce
Sassari is nestled in the northwestern corner on the Italian island of Sardinia and is one of the island's most ancient towns and second largest city. As is the case with the rest of Italy, Sassari has endured occupation by many conquerers over the course of their history, all of which have influenced everything from the local architecture to gastronomy. Historical text states Sassari was most likely founded in the early Middle Ages by the inhabitants of the ancient Roman port of Turris Lybisonis, with the oldest mention of a village called Tathari appearing in an 1113 document in the archive of the Monastery of St. Peter.
Sassari's cuisine is representative of the cultures that have inhabited the area as well as the ingredients that have been available locally. Eating your way through Sassari will take you from the land to sea with plentiful meat dishes, a vast array of seafood and everything in the middle from pungent cheeses such as Pecorino Sardo DOP or Fiore Sardo DOP to fragrant olive oils, legumes, bottarga, artisan breads and confectionary. One thing is certain: the plentitude of diverse ingredients and their role in local cuisine will ensure a pleasurable and varied eating experience
Read more about this beautiful island here.
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