An Italian Family Christmas in Pittsburgh

By Vice Chargé de Presse Ken McCrory

Christmas is a time for celebrations, family, friends and the warmth of the season. These are what Maitre de Table Restaurateur Frank Sacco had in mind when he discussed doing a Chaine dinner at his renowned restaurant, Piccolo Piccolo. Bailli Pete Hanowich readily agreed and we all prepared to celebrate "An Italian Christmas".

Celebrations were certainly a big part of the festivities. We had not one but two couples celebrating their anniversaries. Dame de la Chaine Janice and Chevalier Jim Colker (49 years) as well as Andy and Gen Blasko (50 years), who were guests of their daughter Dame de la Chaine Barbara Hanowich and son-in-law Bailli Pete Hanowich. Janice, a well known artist, was asked to paint us a picture of what it takes to stay happily married for almost 50 years. She named a number of factors and then asked her husband Jim if he concurred. Jim then revealed the "real" secret to a happy marriage by uttering the two magic words -- "Yes Dear". The Hanowichs didn't provide the only family touch. Piccolo Piccolo is owned by Frank and his father, Marco Sacco. Mom, Paula Sacco, contributed antique Christmas ornaments from her store to decorate the bottles of balsamic vinegar that were gifts to each attendee.

This family atmosphere along with all the good friendship embodied in the Chaine contributed to the warmth. One other big factor that added to the warmth was the fact that this dinner was held August 17! That's right - we had Christmas in August in Pittsburgh. Who says everything has to be traditional.

Tradition was followed for the meal, however. The Sacco family produced a typical Italian family dinner for the Chaine family. The reception featured a staggering array of antipasti including prosciutto with melons and figs, smelts fritti, zucchini alla gratella and frittata biancini, all accompanied by Veuve Clicquot.

The soup course was Northern Italian bean with sherry, joined by Angelo Gaja's Alteni di Brassica Sauvignon Blanc, the first in what was to be a fabulous array of the best of Italian wine making. A perfect al dente penne pasta and linguini - the penne with shrimp, scallops clams and the linguini with anchovies followed. Another superstar Italian wine, Edoardo Valentini Trebbiano D'Abruzzi accompanied this dish. Vice-Echanson Philip Bucci, retired Maiˆtre D' at Pittsburgh's famed Duquesne Club, knows a thing or two about Italian cooking. He exclaimed that this food would even be up to "Mama Bucci's" exacting standards. Another seafood course of dried salt cod with olives and peppers was accompanied by a Hofstatter Villa Barthenau Pinot Noir.

All of these courses set the stage for the Sacco family's grand finale of braised lamb shanks with lamb chops and risotto accompanied by Angelo Gaja's Sito Moresco Meritage. After a salad course, the light and refreshing dessert of imported Italian lemon ice with champagne, accompanied by a wonderfully sweet Icardi Moscato Passito played wonderful games of tart and sweet with our palates.

After food, it was Christmas gifts for everyone with Frank (Santa Claus) Sacco distributing balsamic vinegar and antique Christmas ornaments.

As we stood near the front door of Piccolo Piccolo saying goodbye, everyone glanced at the many personalized photos including President Clinton, Rush Limbaugh, Luciano Pavarotti and the Duchess of York. We all realized that these and the other pictured luminaries come to Piccolo Piccolo not just for the food and wine but for what we had just experienced -- the warmth. The warmth wasn't caused by celebrating Christmas in summer, but was rather generated by friends and family gathering for a wonderfully prepared meal.