"If you build it they will come..."

Along the Way of St James a weathervane

directs pilgrims trekking to 
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.  

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

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...

steel 
glass
plaster

Even the wee  find wonder in
these glorious spaces
 appropriately  deserving of the overused term

AWESOME!!!!

RICHARD SERRA

My personal favorite is the Richard Serra exhibit

RICHARD SERRA

Fabricated in corten steel these structures
 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

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

offering all sorts of tasty bites

"If you build it they will come..."

to destination restaurants
like Arzak 
where world renown  chefs

Elena and Juan Marie Arzak
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 

for this ???

An Arzak Signature 
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

there is so much to drink in
including the fresh spring water 
that bubbles from old stone fountains

IL BUCO DE ROMA
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

and they come by the millions

not just to St Peter's 

but to structures built 

thousands of years ago

THE PANTHEON

that have never lost their glory

The 2000 year old dome was

fabricated from concrete
( 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

A bridge of sighs
some things old 
some things new

Linguini with truffles 
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 

Thetis Circle 2011

In autumn truffle hunting 
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

A giant crane hovers over the castle

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