Kings Korner Newsletter

It’s that time again when we share exciting news with our King Umberto family!  We have an Autumn/Winter newsletter full of happy announcements, a wine to try, a recipe that will delight, and much more.  We hope you look forward to reading this edition as much as we enjoy sharing it with you.

Congratulations to CHERY-LYN & MARCO LAROCCA on the birth of their baby girl EMMA ROSE!  MAILIN VENTURA (8lbs) was born on April 5th, 2009 to proud parents WIL & WILMA.  STACEY & DAMIEN DIAZ welcomed YSA ALLEN DIAZ (7lbs) on June 23rd, 2009.  Baby boy MICHAEL ROBERT LOBACCARO (7lb, 4oz) made his first appearance to parents VINCENT & LAURA on Saturday, July 11th, 2009.  He is named after his grandfather.  On August 22nd, 2009, ADRIANA MICHELLE ANJOS (6lbs, 8oz)  was welcomed into the world by her proud parents ANTHONY & ALESSANDRA, big brother ANTHONY and big sister ALEXA.  IJAN HILAIRE & KIRKIN SCHWIN are proud to introduce their new son MARLO THEODORE, born September 1st, 2009, grandson of FITZ & DIGNA HILAIRE.  Our hostess/phone girl, KIM, was filled with joy to share the news of becoming an aunt for the first time to her nephew LORENZO ROBERT YEGROS (9lbs, 8oz), born to her proud sister (our former hostess) and brother-in-law, JENNIFER & DAVID on September 22nd, 2009.  Our bookkeeper/hostess, FILOMENA, was excited to share with us the arrival of her third grandchild (and first grandson) VINCENT RYAN (8lbs, 1oz) on September 26th, 2009 to proud parents JOANNE & RYAN PUCKETT.  The HENSON and FAZIO families celebrated the christening of their identical twin boys (born July 7th, 2009) NICHOLAS ANTHONY  & CASEY LOUIS HENSON.  Big brother JACK and proud parents JOHN & DANA were happy to share a special day with family and friends.  On October 17th, 2009, DANIEL FARRELL made his Confirmation.  Blessings to all!

Happy birthday to you!  LISA CARDONE celebrated her birthday on July 27th, 2009.  On August 4th, 2009, GUISEPPINA NITTOLI celebrated her birthday.  THERESE SEELIG’S family wishes her a happy birthday!  Happy 83rd birthday to GEORGE MARALA, love your family!  Happy birthday to MARIE SIMINO (September 8th), CASANDRA LABARBERA (September 10th), and JOHN LABARBERA (September 13th) {all from the same family}.  Make a wish!

Presenting the graduates!  On June 25th, 2009, HOPE JANKUNAS, D.V.M.; the daughter of LENNY & GLADYS of Elmont, completed her Veterinary Internship in Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City.  KATIE ARAIMO graduated 6th grade from Floral Park/Bellerose School on June 25th, 2009. June 26th, 2009 graduates included WALLIS BACK and LAUREN FEINSTEIN (Roslyn High School), VICTORIA QUINONES (Valley Stream Central), FRANCO'S daughter SUSAN DIMEGLIO (Wantagh High School), and FRANK GARBITELLI (Lynbrook High School). ERIC GIACOMETTI graduated from Garden City High School on June 27th, 2009. He will be attending the University of Maryland. Valley Stream North graduates CHRIS ABIUSO (will be attending Stony Brook), MEAGHAN POTTER, EDWARD DONNELLY (accepted to the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY), and DAWNIELLE HOFSISS (will be attending St. John's University). On June 28th, 2009, PHILIP RING (New Hyde Park Memorial), IAN KURS (West Hempstead High School), ANTHONY MORELLO and SEBASTIAN BUTTAFUOCO (Oceanside High School), TIMOTHY COLLINS (W.T. Clarke High School), DOMINIQUE ALEXANDER (Baldwin High School), and JOSEPH RAGONA (Sewanhaka High School) threw their caps in the air.   JOSE QUINONES (will be attending SUNY Potsdam), LAURA MENOCAI (will be attending Nassau Community College), COLIN STROPKAY, BRIANNA CALANDRO, and KEVIN INIQUEZ all earned their diplomas from H. Frank Carey.  EDDIE CARRELLA graduated Lynbrook High School and will be attending the University of Connecticut. A party was held in his honor on July 19th, 2009. Best of Luck to JUSTIN FILIPPONE on his freshman year at Lee University of Tennessee.  Congratulations!

Love is in the air!  ERIN PATEY & JACKIE JANES, JR. started there wedding celebration with a rehearsal dinner at their favorite hometown spot, King Umberto.  They were wed on June 14th, 2009 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, followed by a reception at the Bourne Mansion in Oakdale.  They honeymooned in the Dominican Republic.  (And to think they grew up right across the street from each other!)  June 19th, 2009 was the day ERNESTO & KRISTY became MR. & MRS. PUTERI.  They had their rehearsal dinner here on June 17th.  Their reception was held at the Venetian Yacht Club.  DANIEL CIACCIO & CRISSY MONTANARO were engaged on July 6th, 2009.  On August 1st, 2009, CYNTHIA FISCHETTI said "I do" to MIKE RICH.  Days later on August 7th, LEYSA GARCIA & JONATHAN STEGMAYER tied the knot.  NICHOLAS TOCCI asked NICOLE ROSANO for her hand in marriage on August 10th, 2009.  MELISSA & MICHAEL started their wedding celebration with a rehearsal dinner here on August 13th, 2009 and became MR. & MRS. SACCO on August 21st, 2009.  They want to thank their parents and bridal party for all their love and support and feel very lucky and blessed.  ANGELA UBERTI celebrated her bachelorette party August 22nd, 2009 at her favorite restaurant. She became MRS. CHARLIE MAHONEY on September 19th, 2009 at the Riviera. LOUIS TROPIA popped the question to GIOVANNA DAVI on October 9th, 2009.   On July 26th, 2009, FRANK & ROSA SALERNO celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary!  MR. & MRS. AL AMATO celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on August 4th, 2009.  Happy 55th wedding anniversary to MR. & MRS. SARGENTO, married on August 28th, 1954.  Best Wishes!

As with each newsletter, we extend our heartfelt thank you for being part of our family.  We always look forward to your visit and great stories.  For this holiday season, we wish you happiness and love.  Buone feste! 

Wine Cellar

The Fontodi estate sits on hills in the heart of the chianti classico subregion.  Each wine estate along the "Chianti Road" south of Siena has its own unique climate depending on the steepness of the hills and direction which the land faces.  The Fontodi vineyards are highly desirable because of their western exposure, which gives the benefits of cooling sea breezes, and their superior elevation, which provides an abundance of rain.  The name Fontodi is derived from an ancient Lombard phrase, fonte de oro, which means a place rich with water.

Fontodi is managed by Macro & Giovanni Manetti, cousins who are sons of the 1968 visionaries.  They are ably assisted by winemaker Franco Bernabei, who is now recognized as one of Chianti's leading oenologists.  This team has made a conscious decision to continue traditional methods, including the governo process whereby grapes are allowed to dry (like raisins) for a period of time before being crushed for juice.  This process creates wines which have great character when young but which will also age well.

Flaccinello della Pieve, made of pure Sangiovese and aged entirely in small barrels (smaller barrels give more oaky character and create wines that take longer to mature).  Flaccinello, like Vigna del Sorbo, is the name of an old vineyard on the estate.  Flaccinello is not Chianti because it does not contain other grape types as required by law, but it is a superb example of what is often called a 'Super Tuscan,' wine made with Italian grapes in a French manner.

Flaccianello is 100% sangiovese and showcases the philosophy of the Fontodi estate. It represents the soil characteristics of the region thanks to its optimal southern exposure vineyards and the natural marl soil with its excellent drainage.

Flaccianello is medium-full to full-bodied with excellent concentration.  It has a big finish that grabs you with its vibrant acidity.  Its velvet smooth tannins and oak are well integrated.  Hints of dried ripe red cherries, spices and a forest bouquet are present in this wine.

Enjoy Flaccianello with: chicken parmigiana, meatballs, veal scaloppini, lasagna, pizza, pasta in tomato sauce, and  roast beef.

Chef's Table

Lentil Soup

(Serves 6)
 

• 2 cups of dry lentils
• 4 quarts of water
• 4 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 6 stalk of celery (diced small)
• 1 carrot (diced small)
• 1 small onion (diced small)
• 1 escarole heart (rinsed & chopped)
• 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup canned Italian tomatoes, well drained
• Salt and freshly grated black pepper
• 1 cup of any small cut dry pasta
   

Soak the lentils in 2 quarts of cold water for about 1 hour.  Rinse the head of escarole well, tearing apart and discarding the outer leaves; drain, chop the escarole heart, and set aside.

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter, add the virgin olive oil, and sauté the chopped celery, carrot, onion and garlic until they turn golden.  Next, add the well drained tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.  Then, put the drained  lentils with 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil over high heat.  Add the chopped escarole hearts to the boiling water.  Cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, until the lentils are almost tender.  Last, add the pasta and simmer for another 10 minutes.  Season with salt and freshly grated black pepper to taste and serve with parmesan cheese.

If you prefer your soup to be thicker, include a diced potato with the vegetables. Another way to serve this soup is over a piece of toasted French bread.  For this you would need 12 slices of French bread, toasted in a preheated oven at 375 degrees until they are golden brown and dry.  Distribute them among 6 soup plates, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and ladle the soup over them.  Add a little more parmesan cheese and buon appetito!