"If you build it they will come..."
Along the Way of St James a weathervane
directs pilgrims trekking to
Santiago de Compostela,Spain
Santiago de Compostela,Spain
where legend has it, the remains of St James
were brought from Jerusalem
For centuries this was a religious pilgrimage,
but has now become a destination trek
for hikers from all over the world.
but has now become a destination trek
for hikers from all over the world.
THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
The new pilgrimage destination along
The Way
is architect, Frank Ghery's creation on the river's edge
in the port town of Bilbao Spain
The new pilgrimage destination along
The Way
is architect, Frank Ghery's creation on the river's edge
in the port town of Bilbao Spain
Architectural shapes- like shimmering ships
Ghery's homage to the port
It was a thrill to be there and now I can cross
it off my bucket list
"If you build it they will come..."
to be rendered breathless at the beauty Ghery's brilliance conjured in Titanium...
glass
plaster
these glorious spaces
appropriately deserving of the overused term
AWESOME!!!!
RICHARD SERRA
My personal favorite is the Richard Serra exhibit
My personal favorite is the Richard Serra exhibit
RICHARD SERRA
draw you in and touch all your senses
Light seeps through the crevices
playing with shadows on the giant plates of steel
SAN SEBASTIAN
Just an hour away from Bilbao is San Sebastian
The charming beach town has attracted
vacationers since the mid 19th century
Just an hour away from Bilbao is San Sebastian
The charming beach town has attracted
vacationers since the mid 19th century
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
in
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
Tennessee Williams' southern gothic novel
set in San Sebastian
Also starring Katherine Hepburn, the movie
was filmed on the beaches of the town
If you are making the trip to The Guggenheim
it's the perfect place to stay
sun bathe
enjoy the scenery
or wander the charming streets of the medieval town
San Sebastian also happens to be a foodie destination
Michelin stars sparkle along side Tapas bars
"If you build it they will come..."
like Arzak
where world renown chefs
allow imagination to lead them
Elena was voted
BEST FEMALE CHEF IN THE WORLD 2012
Papa Juan Marie, a culinary legend,
already holds many such titles and has
inspired chefs and cuisine around the world
From presentation to
contrasting flavors and textures
Could this recycle bin on the street in San Sebastian
have been the inspiration
string potato wrapped cod lollipop
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS
Fresh from the nearby sea
The charming father-daughter team set the tone
for gracious service where
your pleasure is of utmost importance
Refreshingly
NO ATTITUDE AT THIS MICHELIN
The original roadhouse restaurant was built by Jean Marie's grandparents and
diners continue to come
RESERVATIONS A MUST
Basque architecture in the surrounding countryside
has the same charm and warmth as the locals
strolling with de rigeur beret and walking stick
along THE WAY...
"All roads lead to Rome"
where it's best to do as the Romans do
if you are driving rather then walking
if you are driving rather then walking
there is so much to drink in
including the fresh spring water
that bubbles from old stone fountains
including the fresh spring water
that bubbles from old stone fountains
DON'T miss peeking through a tiny keyhole
on the Aventine Hill
The view is a straight shot down a garden path to
the dome of St Peters several miles and a city away
If you build it they will come
not just to St Peter's
but to structures built
thousands of years ago
THE PANTHEON
that have never lost their glory
that have never lost their glory
The 2000 year old dome was
fabricated from concrete
( a Roman invention)
( a Roman invention)
and as modern today as it is ancient
North of Rome in the Umbrian country side
Medieval towns sprinkle the hilltops
with narrow cobbled streets winding between
old stone buildings
Assisi
and the church of St Francis
Arrezzo
and the monthly antique market
Todi
so perfectly preserved
you feel you have stepped back five centuries
so perfectly preserved
you feel you have stepped back five centuries
A bridge of sighs
some things old
some things new
Linguini with truffles
a local specialty to sigh over
some things old
some things new
a local specialty to sigh over
BEVERLY PEPPERS
The American artist has made her home in the Umbrian hills for over 50 years.
She has become legendary in her influence bringing celebrities from all over the world
to what has been dubbed BEVERLY'S HILLS
The 95 year old sculptress continues to create monumental steel sculptures
that are as beautiful as Richard Serra's
She has become legendary in her influence bringing celebrities from all over the world
to what has been dubbed BEVERLY'S HILLS
The 95 year old sculptress continues to create monumental steel sculptures
that are as beautiful as Richard Serra's
Thetis Circle 2011
In autumn truffle hunting
with the assistance of sniffing helpers
attracts visitors to Umbria
A giant crane hovers over the castle
with the assistance of sniffing helpers
attracts visitors to Umbria
No wonder that The Four Seasons as chosen Antignolla
with its fabulous castle as the site of a new resort in Umbria
Reconstruction has already begun
In the process of restoration ancient frescoes
have been uncovered and are being incorporated
into the new luxury interiors
An 18 hole Robert Trent Jones Golf Coarse
is already operating
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Private residences are being restored from old ruins
Martyn Lawrence Bullard and his client
obviously had a lot more then just a little vision
to undertake the restoration of this old fortress
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
returning it to a glory prouder then
it has most likely ever known
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Who could refuse an invitation to overnight
in such luxurious accommodations
or to dine on feasts created in this glorious kitchen ?
I would even be willing to whip up an Osso Bucco
for my host in this kitchen
MARTIN LAWRENCE BULLARD
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
SO
if you build it they WILL come ...
It's why we build second homes in the country
often referred to as KID TRAPS
CASA KULANU
House of All of Us
where multi-generations gather
tightening bonds and making life-time memories
all will find The Way
PORK OSSO BUCCO
with apple cider
Serves Six
6 large Pork Shank Sections
I like to tie them up with cooking twine to keep them from falling off the bone
olive oil
3 carrots peeled and diced
2 stalks celery diced
1 onion diced
1 green apple diced
flour
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
6 cloves peeled garlic
1 Cup white wine
1 Cup chicken or veal stock stock
1 Cup apple cider
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme
Diced fresh Italian parsley for garnish
Season the shanks with salt and pepper and dredge in flour shaking off all excess
In an oven proof pot heat 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Brown the shanks well on all sides
A little brushing of kitchen bouquet will enhance color if needed
Remove shanks from pan and set aside
In the same pan -adding more oil if needed- saute the onion, carrots, celery garlic and diced apple
Continue cooking until the vegetables are soft and start to caramelize- this enhances flavors
Return the shanks to the pan- raise the heat
Add white wine, chicken stock, cider , bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a high simmer
LOW and SLOW
Cover and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 3-4 hours until the meat is very tender
Remove shanks from the sauce and set aside.
Put sauce through a sieve scraping all the solids that collect on bottom back in to the sauce.
Cook sauce down until it thickens slightly
Return shanks to sauce and taste for seasoning
Add salt and fresh ground pepper as needed
I like to chill the sauce until all the fat congeals on the top. I skim it off and then return shanks to the sauce letting them rest at least overnight to intensify the flavors
To Serve:
Re-heat
Place a shank on each plate and remove string if necessary
Glaze with a generous serving of sauce and sprinkle with diced fresh herbs
Serve with Italian white beans or Pappardelle pasta topped with fresh shaved parmesan cheese
Ciao
Rela
