coffee diaries | ultimo

Ultimo is a cool little coffee shop tucked away in the streets of south Philly. It's out of the way from my usual route, so we drove in early on a Sunday morning to find that there were no crowds, even though the windows and doors were open and a warm April breeze was sweeping through. It was on my radar because it won Philadelphia Magazine's 2012 'Best Coffee Shop,' and it has taken me this long to get down to the area to experience it for myself.

You could easily drive by Ultimo if you're, say, scouting a good parking spot or looking for a friends' house. It is right at the corner of 15th and Mifflin, hidden among rows of narrow southwest philly homes. It is a nice little corner, tree-lined, with an entrance that had wide-open doors and no line. Two Philly cops were being served before me, and I thought to myself, 'that is cool, they have a coffee hangout! They probably come here all the time!' All of this was going on as I took in the exposed brick walls and the industrial (but not over-the-top-minimalist, if that's a thing) atmosphere. Of course,

The order: an Americano and a latte. I was in and out, so I had to sacrifice my sit down experience for a couple of to-go cups. I wish I could have stayed and eyed up the well-stocked and diverse collections of beers over at the next counter!

Notes from the Coffee Diary
smooth, nutty flavor.
light and creamy.
light foam, soft texture
for once: not felt rushed or crowded! easy ambience.

ciao, xo

dinner on the deck

Evening dinners on the deck in the months before it gets swelteringly hot is the one of the best things we all love in our family. This dinner, inspired by the kebab recipe I shared here, just came together effortlessly. We have gotten so good at pulling this kind of a thing out of nowhere! Our dinner was a relaxed and quiet al fresco garden dinner for mother's day - featuring our mediterranean kebabs, pesto rotini, wild grain rice, roasted red potatoes and of course some of my favorite pecorino cheese. To top it off? My one and only favorite wine, chianti.

Barefoot evenings on the deck like this make summer feel like it is really here - it's easy to completely slip away and forget that there is work and responsibilities and an early rise coming in the morning. I love these lazy nights, where the dinner slowly carries on into the darker twilight hours, and no one needs to know the time or check their phones because everyone is there. Once the sun goes down, the lights lining the deck make everything look so magical. Dinner is usually followed by everyone unhurriedly roaming to the fire pit, where more wine is drunk and s'mores are made...

These kinds of moments make me so excited to have my own dinners and gatherings...with lots of wines, lots of cheeses and olives, dishes inspired by Tuscany - simpler and lighter and better - alla griglia. I'll have a big annual festa, where everyone wears light linens and sits at a huge, long wooden table filled with all sorts of pasta piatti and small dishes. Dinner will drawl on to the latest midnight hours, there'll be fairy lights strung about, and the great white moon and the stars will be the grand finale at the end of the night.

ciao! xo

a new look

I am SO excited to unveil a new look for my blog. I am really happy with it! The template is a bit simple and sophisticated; the entire look of it (to me, at least) is very different and edgy. I have been toying with the idea not only for months, but for years. I have blogged for a very long time now (5 years total!!) and I think I owe this little source of happiness a much-needed makeover.

I have debated on removing my header (the three Italian scenes at the top) for months, too. I know that it isn't 'clean' or 'sophisticated' or 'chic' to some, but I just can't bring myself to get rid of it. I even tried to work with incorporating the flourishes on the lantern into the "A" of Anticipation, but it just seems hokey and disingenuous for me to do that. So, it stays. :)

This experience for me has kind of been like buying a car (minus the haggling and awful paper-signing). Actually may be it's not like buying a car. It's like after you've bought a car, and it's in your driveway, and even though you are inside and have things to do you just can't stop looking at that beautiful new car of yours! That's what I keep doing with my blog. I've probably had more hits today than ever. Yep, just me.

to renewals! 

ciao, xo

le cinque terre

I was going through this old cinque terre post and it inspired me to edit some more unpublished photos here on the blog. I am so fortunate to have been here twice - and both times in the beautiful vibrant warmth of summer! On my last visit, S was with me and it was heavenly...we had the best time touring around! We locked our love on the via dell'amore, something I had wanted to do since first setting eyes on this place. That is what I love about Europe, and specifically Italy...there's an eternally growing bucket list that I have, and whenever i'm there so much seems possible and serendipitous.

I love you, Italy. As if you needed reminding...

ciao! xo