LA TAVOLA CHEF
RETURNS TO ITALIA
Chef Carlo Vignotto began his culinary journey as a young child working in his grandparent’s beach-front restaurant in Venice, Italy. Every day he stood alongside his mother and siblings to help with simple tasks, such as chopping tomatoes and gathering fresh ingredients for the evening’s dinner selections. He was introduced to old family recipes made with the finest and freshest ingredients, prepared with
love, hard work and patience. [La Tavola website]
After 25 years in the United States, Chef Carlo, 50, is returning to Venice and Riga Latvia (his wife's hometown) where the couple will split their time six months and six months.
"We thank all of our loyal customers, many who have become friends over the years," said Vignotto of his restaurant, La Tavola Ristorante Italiano, on Albemarle Street, "especially the ones who challenged me to create different foods. They always made me smile and appreciated my journey."
Vignotto said La Tavola was never about him. He always believed and tried his best to bring together a group of people and become a team. "I could never have done what we achieved in the last 25 years by myself," said the chef. "I always tried to give space to people to showcase their talents and creativity. At times, I was very surprised! Training and retaining good employees was always a priority."
As everyone knows, Little Italy was very different when Vignotto began. He and his business partner, Sam Azoulay, enjoyed challenging themselves and believed there was always a place for good homemade fresh food and good company.
"Although the journey became more difficult for various reasons," said Vignotto, "La Tavola - like my mamma always told me - is a gold mine."
The restaurant, which offers farm-to-table cuisine, is now under new ownership. As the staff bids farewell to their talented chef "and good friend, we wish him the best as he transitions to a new chapter in his life," said Anthony Sipos, La Tavola's General Manager. "We warmly welcome Luca Useli, a passionate young restaurateur hailing from the beautiful island of Sardinia, Italy. [Cagliari] With a deep love for authentic Italian cuisine, Luca is excited to take the reins at La Tavola" and assures customers that the quality of product and service will remain authentic and homemade.
"I think new and younger people will, like me 25 years ago, try their best ... not only for themselves, but for their team and Little Italy." says Chef Carlo. "Buona fortuna, Piccola Italia."
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The Italian American Bocce League and its members congratulate and thank Dino Basso (top photo, pictured right) on his retirement as president from the organization. Dino held the role for over 20 years and has built the league from the ground up to what it is today. His endless hours of hard work have not gone unnoticed and is appreciated by the bocce community. Thanks, Dino, and good wishes for a "happy retirement" as you continue to roll the bocce balls!
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FEAST & FRIENDS ... Members of the Italian American Civic Club celebrate the Christmas season with an early Feast of the Seven Fishes. Many of the members grew up together in Little Italy. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American celebration of Christmas Eve with dishes of fish and other seafood; not a "feast" in the sense of holiday, rather a grand meal. The tradition dates back to the immigration wave of the 1900s.
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4th ANNUAL ADVENT & CHRISTMAS PARTY ... The December 3rd Daughters of Isabella (of St. Leo's) Advent & Christmas Party hosted 80 attendees in the Pandola Learning Center school hall as guests enjoyed a delicious menu, live entertainment, and a special visit from La Befana. Congratulations to honorees Francis ‘Fran’ Blattermann, Mary Bracken, Sadie Zaccari-Witz, Marco Minnie, and Corasaniti Family, recognized with appreciation for service to Little Italy’s community and Saint Leo’s Church.
In Italian folklore, La Befana is an old woman or good witch who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (night of January 5, 2024) in a similar way to Santa Claus and the Three Magi Kings. Italians celebrate the religious feast of the Epiphany / La Befana as a national holiday across Italy, with public offices closed. It marks the official end of the Christmas season. They set out their shoes for La Befana to fill with treats, candies, and small gifts.
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Lodge hosts presentation on canonization and life of naval chaplain, Father Vincent Capodanno |
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The inspiring story of Father Vincent Capodanno’s life and canonization were the subject of a presentation at the Little Italy Lodge November 14.
Vice Admiral Stephen Stanley, United States Navy (retired) and Chair of the Capodanno Guild (pictured below with Lodge president, Christopher Pisano, addressed 40 members and guests on Father Capodanno’s life and service as a U.S. Navy Chaplain to the marines during the Vietnam War. The Maryknoll priest, who died while giving comfort and last rites to Marines on the battlefield, posthumously received the Medal of Honor. Father Capodanno is now considered a “Servant of God” by the Catholic Church, and his cause for canonization requires additional miracles to be attributed to him.
The slide show presentation on Capodanno’s life - and nearly superhuman devotion to his priestly duties under trying circumstances - inspired the audience.
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Part II ... Visiting Italians |
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Last month we featured Little Italy native Will Matricciani's adventures in America with his visiting Italian cousin, Marco. We continue with another family connected between Italy and America: Famiglia Mossa Molino.
The bond between families in two countries is a long historical tale, and continues to remain strong in Baltimore's Italian American community. Many of us have traveled to our motherland to walk the streets of relatives and visit with family who never "came over." Some of us still have parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles in Italy who visit the U.S.A. to experience the country where our Italian immigrant ancestors created new lives and homes during the 1850s-1900s.
For three November/December weeks, Suzanna Molino, director of Promotion Center for Little Italy, was busy escorting two of her Italian cousins, Zahra Maria Laufholi Mossa, 28, and Gianna Mossa, 50, from the small paesa of Luras in the top part of the beautiful island of Sardinia, Italy. (Mossa was Suzanna's Mamma Gina's maiden name.) Suzanna has visited her Mossa family 10 times since 2001 - and says she is not finished yet.
Having visited their American family only once before in 2014, Zahra and Gianna enjoyed their first-ever Thanksgiving at the Molino Singleton home November 23, 2023, and went everywhere Suzanna & Ken took them: Amish Market, Valley View Farms, National Harbor (Gaylord Hotel and MGM Hotel/Casino), Tanger Outlets, OC on Jersey Shore, Albright Farms, Festival of Trees, Hunt Valley Town Center Tree Lighting, Towson Town Center, Baltimore City, Wegman's, Graul's, Giant, Target, pizza at Angeli's in Little Italy, various restaurant experiences, and Lidl's supermarkets (they love supermarkets!) and of course, Piccola Italia/Little Italy.
Zahra made a presentation about Sardinia to two Italian classes at Mount Saint Joseph High School in Irvington, Maryland. She, Gianna, and Suzanna were welcomed by Elizabeth Scali Pease, Ph.D. (pictured below in sash), Instructor of French & Italian, World Languages Department Moderator, World Languages Club, Bocce Club, and president of Filitalia's Baltimore Chapter. Suzanna gifted the classroom on behalf of the Promotion Center for Little Italy with a vintage circa 1920s Italian Festival banner, a basket of Italian products, and books on Little Italy.
In Sardinia, Gianna and Zahra live down the street from Suzanna's (late) great-grandparents' home (pictured), built in 1912 by her great-grandfather, Giacomo Cabras. It was later owned by Suzanna's Nonna Antonica Cabras Mossa, and now is the home of the three cousins' uncle, Zio Giacomo Mossa.
"It is quite special and emotional when I visit my family in Sardinia, and sleep in that house," says Molino. Although her maternal grandparents (nonni) emigrated to America in 1929, the side of the family still in Sardinia never followed.
"Our experience in the United States has been full of strong emotions since before we arrived," says Zahra on behalf of herself and her Aunt Gianna. "I was able to describe the island of Sardinia to students at Mount Saint Joseph. I hope in time to be able to introduce our island to the whole community of Little Italy - and beyond. Seeing, knowing, experiencing different realities is something that always enriches a journey. Thanks to Suzanna, our beloved cousin, we saw some beautiful places, tried some food that made me crazy - like chicken & waffles! - and feel the wonderful Christmas air in America. We hope to return soon!"
"FIRSTS" FOR THE VISITING ITALIANS
- Thanksgiving
- Chicken & Waffles
- Sweet potatoes with marshmallows
- An ice bucket (they rarely use ice in drinks)
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Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (displayed in "ICE!" sculptures at Gaylord National Hotel near D.C.)
- Fake cheese in a can
- "Better than Sex" cake
- Playing pickleball
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Christmas atmosphere around Baltimore County
- Christmas lights outside of houses (their town does not do this)
- High School basketball game
- Krispy Kreme donuts
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How murals on streets in Little Italy could make them safer
It's nice to take a walk through Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood. Problem is, sometimes, drivers floor it through the streets when they're supposed to be going 25 mph. At the November meeting of Little Italy Neighborhood Association (LINA), Baltimore public artist, Graham Coreil-Allen, of Graham Projects, presented preliminary ideas for themed street art to help pedestrian safety and slowing traffic throughout the Little Italy neighborhood.
>>>Click image to view story on WMAR-TV 2.
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Proposed building to be one of tallest in city
A surface parking lot at 301 S. President Street in Little Italy is the site of a proposed 32-story apartment building. [Photo by Ed Gunts]
>>>Click image to read story by Baltimore Fishbowl.
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Submitted by JOSEPH CATAGGIO, JR.
"My parents Joe & Jean with me - Joe Jr. Circa 1953 in Norfolk, Virginia. No Little Italy relations, but I spent a lot of time in Little Italy while driving a cab in Baltimore during the 1970s. Dinetti's was my go-to ... and Sandwich King for my peppers and egg sandwich."
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Include caption, people ID, location, approximate year, and your name.
Photos must be Little Italy or Italian immigrant-related.
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"It was wonderful to have your presence in our Italian classes. We all truly enjoyed meeting you, learning about Sardegna, and thinking about the importance of knowing our heritage! Thank you for the wonderful gifts and books. The students helped to pin the banner to our Roma bulletin board - they were just as delighted with it as am I! They hope to visit Sardegna one day. Thank you again for this extra special inspiration to me and my students."
~ Dr. Elizabeth Pease
"Thank you for all your work in the neighborhood. Thanks to the neighborhood for always treating me like a local."
~ John Sansone, the Ice Man
"A great issue!"
~ Nicolino Applauso
"I just wanted to say that y'all do a wonderful job on the monthly newsletter and I look forward to receiving it every month! Even though I am not of Italian descent, I grew up in a neighborhood in Lauraville that had many, many wonderful Italian families and I still have many lifelong Italian friends that I still - and will continue to - get together with on a regular basis. My family and I absolutely enjoy the annual St. Leo's festivals, the inaugural Maryland Italian Festival in Harford County, and the many fine Italian restaurants in Little Italy and throughout the northeastern parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Harford County."
~ Grazie, Paul Purdum
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