SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

TANGIERS: The Place - the Kasbah. Veere Grenney and David Oliver hosted a very elegant cocktail party by the pool in the splendid garden of a house in the Kasbah.

The Food. Filo pastry stuffed with scrambled eggs and parsley a curious but delicious mix.

The Food. Very simple grilled aubergines were an unusual nibbles at the cocktail party.

The Tablecloth. On the upstairs terrace the embroidered tablecloth is held down by bronze egg shaped sculptures.

The People. Our host, David Oliver is Design Director of Paint & Paper Library based in Chelsea, London, photographed with his son Eddie.



The People. New York/Paris based interior decorator, Frank de Biasi.



The People. Our host, London based interior designer, Veere Grenney chats with Plum Le Tan.



The People. Chic Tangier expat Chilean artist, Baron Francisco A. de Corcuera Gandarillas wears a candy striped pale blue suit.



The People. A detail of Francisco A. de Corcuera Gandarillas amusing bracelet made by Petranca by heating fluorescent ice cream spoons.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

TANGIERS: The Place - the Medina. The view from one of Suomi and Nadia Lavalle’s terraces is 360 degrees, taking in the Medina, the Bay of Tangier, Gibraltar and Spain.

The Place. The oriental inspired sitting room under a sky blue tent on one of the terraces is ideal for drinks before and after dinner. The view is spectacular.

The Flowers. The roses sit on a painted table under the tent. Roses in Morocco come from the Dades Valley or the Valley Of the Roses, where in the town of Kelaa-des-Mgouna there is a huge distilling plant that accounts for most of the rose water that goes into Morocco’s gastronomic delicacies and the famed Moroccan perfumes.

The Food. The pretty table set for breakfast. Fine bone china tea set and hand-embroidered tablecloth set the mood for a late breakfast. The sugarless strawberry and orange marmalade were much appreciated.

The Food. A specialty of the cook, Tangier Cookies made entirely with yogurt and no butter were on hand at all hours. The watercolor in the background of a crab is by Marguerite McBey.

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The People. Our hostess, Nadia Lavalle was always organizing something super duper for us.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

TANGIER – The Place. As you enter the Medina from the Porte d’Italie from the Grand Socco in one of the little streets on the right is this spice shop. Spices are used extensively in Moroccan food. While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many ingredients, like saffron from Tiliouine, mint and olives from Meknes, and oranges and lemons from Fez, are home-grown. Common spices cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, pepper, paprika just to name a few.

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The People. Located in the heart of Tangier’s old quarters, in the Petit Socco, which is the Medina’s principal landmark and one of Tangier’s most picturesque sites is the café snack bar, Zoco Chico owned by Englishman, David Bashy. Here you can enjoy a variety of dishes such as; Mutabal, Couscous Falafel, Tabouleh, Baba Ghanouj. Or drinks like; iced coffee or tea, cappuccino, mocha frappe and caramellato. David also does take-away and caters to private clients.

Zoco Chico: 17, Petit Socco – tel: 012 029 446 Pin It

SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

TANGIER. The Place – Le Mirage Beach. Just east of Cap Spartel, the northern tip of Africa and mystic Caves of Hercules acclaimed by Homer as "The Mirage" the breathtaking view of the beach of the Hotel Club Le Mirage, just outside Tangier. On the terraces, these pristine white balustrades separate you from the endless Ocean. The view extends to infinity, embracing a wild, silver sand beach that winds down the coast of Africa.

The Food. About a Kilometer down the beach from Le Mirage on the Plage Sidi Kacem is the Ocean restaurant managed by Tangerine veteran, Philippe Morain. The refined yet simple cuisine, which specializes in fish dishes, is perfect for a hot summer day, like this avocado and shrimps.

The Food. It’s fabulous to sit on the terrace and look out onto the blue Atlantic Ocean while picking at these delicious and tasty grilled sardines.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

GIBRALTAR: The Place. Gibraltar is located at the entrance of the Mediterranean. Its strategic location and history have made it an international symbol of solidity and strength. Gibraltar has been a British Territory since 1704. Known colloquially as Gib or The Rock, it is an ex-patriots heaven, a mini old fashioned England, where everything from letterboxes, to cannons, lampposts to road-signs or restaurants evoke something British whether they be the royal insignia or coat of arms or the names of famous Englishmen like Sir Winston Churchill or Lord Nelson.

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The View. The view at night from The Rock Hotel, which is perched majestically above the city. The hotel was built in the elegant 1930's and it is an institution in Gibraltar. The spectacular views from our bedroom window is of the Bay of Gibraltar, the Spanish mainland and North Africa

The Food. Dinner at the Rock Hotel: part of a trio of mini desserts, this blackberry trifle was served in a small glass. The other two mini desserts were, strawberry mouse and crème brulee.

The Food. A Billboard for Lord Nelson restaurant. The restaurant was named "Lord Nelson" to commemorate England's most famous Admiral, one of the best-known military figures associated with the Rock. Gibraltar has strong connections with Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson's body was brought there after the battle before returning to England for the last time.

The Coffee. I guess that in Gibraltar one should be having a cup of tea instead of a cappuccino topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder…ugh.



The People. British, entrepreneur, Rudy Reginiano takes the helm while Captain Mike Hudson looks on.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

LONDON: The Place – a garden in Notting Hill. Boswell the black pug and Puma the black cat relax in the communal garden in Notting Hill.

The Food. Delicious fish without chips, keep the calories down, and a tartare sauce at the chic fish and chip restaurant, Geales established in 1939 in Notting Hill.




Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The People. Our hostess and poetess, Betsy Joly de Lotbiniere, creative director, Johnny Blueeyes of the House of Blueeyes and Miami based designer and interior decorator, Barbara Hulanicki who was in London for the screening of Louis Price’s documentary Beyond Biba: A portrait of Barbara Hulanicki at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

SAN BOLDO PASS: The Place – La Muda di San Boldo. At the top of the San Boldo Pass the Muda di San Boldo, an old staging inn and toll house which dates back to the to the fifteenth century has been brought back to its former glory by a group of entrepreneurs. The Muda is located on the border between the mountain communities of the pre-alps of Treviso and the Belluno valley. The Inn also houses several guest rooms, as well as a communal dormitory.

La Muda di san Boldo: Passo san Boldo 2 – Cison di Valmarino 31030 – (Treviso) tel: 0437 757253

The Food. A carpaccio of porcini mushrooms topped with Parmesan cheese was a real treat.


The Food. The Inn serves uncooked snacks and food like these local cheeses, hams, speck and salamis.


The Wine. Cold Costadila Prosecco from the Treviso hills. The Prosecco is produced and vinified by natural fermentation and without any addition of sugar and sulphites.



The People. At the opening party for the Muda, Venetian minimal artist, Annamaria Ridolfi listens to the press conference.


The People. Local Poets, Alessandra Pellizzari from Bassano del Grappa and Luciano Cecchinel from Revine Lago.



The People. Count Annibale Brandolini d’Adda a direct descendant of the Brandolinis whose history was associated with the Muda through the centuries.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

LUCCHESIA: The Place – La Cappella. This seventeenth century ex-convent and was completely restructured by the owners, Pietro Monticelli and Vicky Ceschi a Santa Croce. Part of the villa is available for holiday rentals and sleeps eighteen people. In the low season, rooms are available with breakfast. As you can see La Cappella, is in one of the most beautiful hillside areas of the Lucchesia and is only seven km from Lucca and it's also close to Florence, Pisa, Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi.

The After Dinner Coffee. Vicky has prepared the after dinner coffee cups ready for coffee. They look so elegant on the straw tray.


The People. Vicky Ceschi a Santa Croce with Jack and new arrival Lola.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

LUCCHESIA: The Place. On the hillside near Lucca is Sarina Tang’s Italian Residence. The art historian and curator divides her time between Lucchesia, New York and Beijing.
Contessanally tip: click on any photo to enlarge it.

Photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The View. The terrace overlooking the hills near Lucca in Tuscany.

The Food. For an aperitif, local spicy cheese and equally local foccacia were served with a cold white wine.

The People. Art historian and curator, Sarina Tang was born in Shanghai, brought up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and studied history of art at the Ecole du Louvre in Paris, France. Tang is the director of Currents which integrates Chinese contemporary artists and musicians with the international art and music community, and provides a non-commercial counterpoint to the exclusively market-driven art and music field both in New York City and Beijing.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

LUCCA: The Place. The gourmet food shop, Delicatezze on the cobbled street Via San Giorgio in the walled city of Lucca is a epicurean heaven. It’s the perfect place to stock up on local produce of the highest quality to bring back home as gifts.

The Food. A huge selection of the olive oils produced locally. Olive oil has become a symbol of Tuscany and is also known as liquid gold.

The Food. Just a small assortment of the many cheeses that can be found in the gourmet food shop.




The Bar. Caffetteria Turandot is the place for a very good espresso on the Piazza san Michele in the center of Lucca.

Note. In Tuscany espresso coffee is served with a “shot” of water on the side.

The People. Italian artist/photographer, Massimo Vitali, famous for his monumental photographs of large groups of people chats and enjoys a strong espresso.

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SUMMER: THE PLACES - THE FOOD - THE PEOPLE

Photograph and copyright by manfredi Bellati

LUCCHESIA: The Place – Villa Massei. A corner of the garden at Villa Massei which was designed by the owners, Paul Gervais and Gil Cohen. This beautiful garden at Massa Macinaia, fifteen minutes outside the walls of the ancient Tuscany town of Lucca is open to horticultural enthusiasts from around the world.

The Food. Lasagne alle Verdure or vegetable lasagne, the perfect vegetarian one course dish for a rainy and cold summer day.



The Recipe. The lasagne were cooked by the author of the book, Le Ricette del Paese delle Camelie, Pola Belluomini, using fresh vegetables from the villa’s vegetable garden.

The People. The hosts, author, Paul Gervais de Bedee and philanthropist, Gil Cohen kindly smile for my camera in front of a beautiful big pottery bowl manufactured by Pasquinuccio Pasquinucci in Pontedera from a medieval design.

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