ASOLO

Lunch - Hidden, down and up a dirt road on the hillsides of Monfumo just behind Asolo is La Sconta the Italian country farmhouse of Suomi and Nadia La Valle. Though both Italian they have made London their home for over a quarter of a century and are also often seen in Paris, Tangiers and most recently in Bombay where Nadia has a design studio. Nadia is a very talented fashion and embroidery designer not only for the Paris haute couture but also for her own company, Spaghetti (a reminder of "home"), established in 1976 with a mythical fashion show launch in Elio Fiorucci's restaurant in Milan where top model Donna Jordan modeled the exquisite and unusual embroidered couture creations that over the years have found a following with the jet set, royalty and an international in-crowd. Let's get back to lunch, which isn't really just lunch at the La Valle's but a whole leisurely day party which starts with lots of Prosecco and ends with a trip to the cellar for a taste of Suomi's home-made grappa. And, in between there is also lots of music, dancing, good food, great and interesting friends from all over the world and as one would expect every detail is beautifully planned and arranged by the hostess herself - like the fresh flowers from the garden as center piece for the table setting.

Spaghetti - 32 Beauchamp Place - London S.W.3 - spaghettiforever@aol.com