italians

Eataly Flatiron Brings Italian Food and Culture to the United States

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You will find genuine Italian ingredients at Eataly Flatiron in New York City. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Eataly Flatiron is a little piece of Italy in New York City. Italian Americans in the Tri-State area have long had reminders of home. I can think of three delis and two bakeries serving authentic Italian food items in the area near my home just outside of Manhattan in New Jersey. Everyone knows you can find the real deal in the specialty stores and restaurants on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. And, once upon a time, Manhattan’s Little Italy was authentic, too.

But Eataly lives up to its sophisticated reputation and brings to life the idea of the dolce vita in a way these other venues do not. This is not just shopping. This is not just eating a meal at a restaurant. This is an experience for the senses. You can visit Eataly Flatiron at 200 Fifth Ave. (like I did) or Eataly Downtown at 101 Liberty Street on the third floor in New York City. There are other Eataly locations in Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

If you plan a visit, expect to spend an entire day there. You arrive and walk into Caffe Lavazzo, which is a typical coffee bar, the kind you might find in Roma. (I would have said Napoli, but it lacks both sfogliatelle and baristas shouting to you in dialect, guaglione!)

Sweet Beginnings

Pastries and coffee are the best way to kick off an Italian day. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

While the pastries hardly match the ones I find in Ischia, a small island off the coast of Naples that is home to my family, the ambiance of the place is spot on. You feel as though you are back in Italy. For one, many Italians flock to the place. Everyone who visits us from the Boot insists on stopping there at least once. Two, it is all about taking the time to start the day peacefully, which is an entirely Italian idea.

My Americans get up and go. My Italians linger at the table and won’t turn on their brains without a sip of espresso, some people watching, and salutations among friends. A sweet bite is never discouraged either.

An Italian Market Experience

When you are done with your breakfast, you keep walking deeper into Eataly, and you realize these little cafes, bars, and restaurants are tucked in the nooks and crannies of a giant market. Here, you’ll find Italian ingredients of all sorts, books, and household items that are hard to pass up.

My husband and I were salivating at the array of cheeses and deli meats, including prosciutto crudo, prosciutto cotto, and salami. There is one area with pre-cooked items, where we picked up a thick slice of porchetta slick with oil and rosemary. It made for an unforgettable sandwich on ciabatta bread with arugula and mayo when we returned home.

Deli Meats and So Much More

Honestly, you won’t know where to turn your attention next. Walking around Eataly is a whirlwind for food lovers like me. Along with my husband, I spent much of the morning browsing and picking up must-haves, such as polenta, which I thought would remind my father of his childhood, and seasonings for my cousin who is always in the kitchen. I fell in love with the household items sporting Italian phrases and symbols. If I had a million dollars…

The Stuff of an Italian Home

Mom is saying the house is not a hotel in the cup above. I couldn’t agree more. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio
This set of dishware screams old-school Italy to me. The script looks like the writings of yesteryear, the red and white color scheme is reminiscent of early Italian immigration, and the “good morning” message is refreshing. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Costly But Worth It

Indeed, the one criticism of Eataly is the price of everything. Nothing is cheap. While you get what you pay for and the items certainly live up to expectations, you can’t justify regularly doing your grocery shopping here, even if you live nearby. The prices of menu items in the restaurants in and around the market stalls are similarly high. We spent more than $200 on groceries (of which we didn’t buy that much), our meal at one of the restaurants, and our travel to and from New Jersey (we are close to NYC and I used to commute daily for work). In other words, the day was expensive. That’s exactly why we have only done this once – and we were celebrating the tenth anniversary of our vow renewal in the United States.

A Worthy Meal

Calamari and shrimp are the highlights of this fried antipasto dish, which is not to be missed. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

We ordered the fried antipasto, which included calamari and shrimp with a delicious mayonnaise-based dipping sauce. Many don’t realize Italian devotion to mayo. In fact, many of my relatives in southern Italy make their own mayonnaise from scratch rather than buying it in the grocery store.

Dining Options

Raw fish is always a winner with my husband. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Each of the restaurants surrounding the market has its own theme. We went to Il Pesce, the one focused on pesci or fish. You can also go to a pasta bar, where you can pick fresh pasta and its topping. You can bring the freshly made pasta home and put your own sauce on it, too. There’s another place with a meat-lover’s menu. Pizza is available, too, of course. And there’s a restaurant on the roof, which promises to be ultra romantic and is the site of events, such as wine tastings. We didn’t make it up there, but I understand that it is SERRA ALPINA by Birreria, a “winter greenhouse” pop-up restaurant on the roof during winter.

Get Thee to Eataly

Overall, I would recommend going to Eataly at least once. You can even take cooking classes there. Certainly, it will hold you over until you can afford a trip to the real Italy. However, be prepared to empty your pockets. In English or Italian, good stuff ain’t cheap.

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

More Images from Eataly

  • I don’t drink alcohol, so if I sip sparkling wine or champagne to toast, my husband photographs it for proof.
  • I dream of drowning in a sea of fresh mozzarella.
  • These sandwiches, known as tramezzini in Italy, are available for take-out.
  • Hard salami and every other item you might want to put on the antipasto platter is found at Eataly.
  • Grana Padano is proudly on display.
  • This almost looks like the tomato puree your family makes and stores in Nonna’s cabinets.
  • I think I need this fridge in my life.
  • Just like any grocery store, you’ll find lovely bouquets on sale.
  • Blood oranges are a favorite of mine, so I had to take a pic.
  • Strolling through the section dedicated to household items, many of which were important from Italy, may have been the best part of the day.
  • Yellow tomatoes beg to be photographed.
  • I never turn my back on a dish of mussels in its juices and wine for dipping grilled bread.

Valentine’s Day Greetings from the Italian Mamma

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ITALIAN MEMES – POSTCARDS FROM ITALY

Valentine's Day Greetings - Francesca Di Meglio
Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to spread the love. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Few people do love – and therefore Valentine’s Day – as well as the Italians. They are passionate and romantic. As a result, the holiday is the perfect match. On this day in Italy, lovers go on dates. They get dolled up. They eat a special meal (and really all the meals in Italy are special). This year, most of them will be avoiding meat because Valentine’s Day coincides with the Catholic holy day, Ash Wednesday. The men will dole out bouquets of flowers to their beloved. The women will offer little gifts to the man in their life. In other words, Italians are just like everyone else on V-Day.

What Makes the Holiday Different for Italians

Still, Italians celebrate the holiday while being Italian. They have a reputation for being great at love. A story I wrote about Italian men and why women find them so appealing is still the most popular article I have ever written. You know why? The truth is people are find Italians to be wildly attractive. Many Italians are driven by the bella figura, which means making a good impression and having your outside appearance reflect your inner being. So, they often take great care with their looks and clothing.

Fashionable Flirts

In addition, they have a way of flirting that makes the other person feel as though no one else exists. It’s embedded in the culture. Courtship still exists in Italy in a way that it no longer does in other parts of the world, including the United States. Men still pay for women’s meals and entertainment (even if they are not romantically linked to them). They are taught to woo each other with playful texts and extraordinary compliments. If you’re with an Italian, you feel the love. You feel as though you’re the only person in the room and the most beautiful ever. That rush is hard to get over. That’s why people are always seeking out Italian lovers. There’s no better time to recognize this way with love than on Valentine’s Day.

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Buon Befana – Discover Italy’s Finale to the Holiday Season

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LE FESTE – HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

La Befana - Di Meglio

Today is the feast of Epifania, which is known in Italy simply as “Befana.” In fact, many people in Italy will greet each other on the street today with the words, “Buon Befana.” This salutation refers to La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch. She is still searching for Baby Jesus, whom she learned about from the Three Kings. Throughout her journey every Jan. 6, she offers gifts to other Italian children in the hopes she will one day find Gesu. Or at least that is how one of our story books tells the story. There are a few theories about how she came into this job.

Befana – From Whence She Came

Indeed, she made a stop at our house this morning. When my son awakes, he will be surprised. He went to bed early with visions of the Italian Christmas witch in his mind. Now, Befana is no Santa. She is a poor old lady. Before this gig, Befana was best known for sweeping inside and outside her home everyday. She mostly kept to herself. So, she offers up one or two small gifts to each child. When my father was a kid in Italy in the 1950s, he received tangerines, walnuts, a piece of chocolate, and pencils for school in his socks from Befana. Back then, she was the only gift giver of the season. Times have changed.

Even though Santa has since grown more popular than Befana even in Italy, she still makes her rounds on Jan. 6. This, in fact, marks the end of the holiday season and work and school breaks, which is different from the United States. Many families will gather again today for one more special meal. Children will recite poems for pennies — err euro. And Befana will leave a little something for them. Sometimes, adults even give each other little tokens of their love on Befana’s day. The Epiphany, after all, is about the arrival of the three kings, also known as three wise men. They had brought little gifts to baby Jesus and his family in Bethlehem.

One Last Hurrah

Throughout the holiday season, we keep a Befana doll hanging over our window. Some of our American friends think we’ve forgotten her there since Halloween. But Italians know better. You can read more about Befana in my previous stories:

Buon La Befana – The Italian Christmas Witch

I’m a Believer! Stories of the Italian Christmas Witch

Celebrate the Epiphany Italian Style

Befana’s visit is the cherry on top of our holiday season. Buon Befana a tutti!

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Leonardo da Vinci Can Always Offer Inspiration When You’re In Need

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ITALIAN MEMES – POSTCARDS FROM ITALY

IschiaRedBicycle - Leonardo da Vinci - Meme

Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man. He was an inventor, painter, sculptor, scientist, architect, and mathematician. Certainly, his work was complex. Life, during any era, is complicated. Perhaps, that’s why da Vinci recognized the importance of simplicity.

This image of a red touring bicycle leaning against the railings overlooking the sea in Ischia, Italy speaks to that message. In an era of hot cars and roaring trucks, a bicycle is simple. In a time when everyone is throwing themselves into the rat race, people wading in the sea or sunbathing on a rock are the picture of simplicity.

Truly, that’s what the sweet life, especially on an island, is all about. What has been devastating to me in recent days is how Mother Nature has attacked that simplicity. The earthquake that took down homes and a church in Casamicciola in Ischia is one example. But now I am watching the decimation of islands all across the Caribbean and Florida Keys, not to mention cities in Florida, all the victims of Hurricane Irma.

Still, there is beauty to be found in this tragedy. Neighbors helping neighbors, political leaders on different sides of the aisle coming together to support victims, the deer and birds roaming among the debris in the Keys are all reminders of peace. They are all part of that simplicity that island life usually brings to people. As a result, you can feel the hope in your being.

Granted, a storm that causes this much devastation causes stress. None of these islands are immune to stress, especially at this time. But Mother Nature giveth and Mother Nature taketh away. In this moment, she has taken away but the giving is just around the corner. A bit of sunshine and some elbow grease may go a long way to making a comeback. The islanders know their vulnerability. But they realize their strength more.

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Italian Holiday Ferragosto Is Distinct and a Great Fit for the Boot

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ITALIAN MEMES – POSTCARDS FROM ITALY / LE FESTE – HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

Buon Ferragosto - beach in Ischia Italy - Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

The Italian holiday Ferragosto couldn’t be celebrated anywhere but Italy. In fact, it’s the only country I know that marks Aug. 15 as still having significance. The festivities date back to 18 BC and the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus for whom the whole month is named. He declared August to be for revelry. The high point in those days was Aug. 13 when women made offerings to the goddess Diana in hopes of having safe labor and delivery.

Italian Holiday Ferragosto – Sun, Sex, and Rock n’ Roll

In general, the celebrations were all about excesses – gorging, orgies, and imbibing. I’ve written about this before for ItaliansRus. Christianity comes around and makes Aug. 15 about the assumption of the Virgin Mary in an attempt to change the rituals. But we’re talking about Italians here. Do you really think you could take away their wine and sex and delicious food and still call it a holiday? C’mon now.

Obviously, the Church needs a reality check. Indeed, my friends and family will be indulging in food and wine and whatever else today. Some of them will say a little prayer or even head to church, too. Right at this moment, most of them are sleeping off the celebrations that began last night as they ushered in Aug. 15.

To be fair, here on the island of Ischia, most of my people were not getting to enjoy the holiday. They were making the holiday for the guests at hotels, bars, and restaurants throughout the island. And they’ll continue to do that today. Making sure others have a good time, after all, is their livelihood.

What will they be doing exactly? Well, carving watermelons into gorgeous flowers is one task. Another is setting tables for multi-course meals full of Italian hallmarks, such as fresh mozzarella, la parmigiana, shellfish fresh from the sea, and pounds of pasta. Chefs will be cooking all that. Someone will be on hand to make sure the wine is ever flowing, never an empty glass. Someone else will cue the music at the discoteca.

Glistening cabana boys will help beachgoers open their umbrellas and snag a drinks on the beach. Of course, there will be natives flirting with the tourists in the hopes of a little something something on Ferragosto. Wink. Wink. I guess you can say Ischia, with its slogan “where you eat, drink, and ‘whistle,'” tries to meet all your needs. Buon Ferragosto to all!

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

The Truth Is What You’re Eating Is Not the Real Fresh Mozzarella Like in Italy

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CUCINA

Fresh Mozzarella - Ischia Italy
Making fresh mozzarella is an art form in Naples, Italy. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Fresh mozzarella, as Americans know it, is not even close to the real thing. For starters, it is sold in plastic wrap in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or deli. The real stuff comes in a double plastic bag and is filled with water that turns white from the milk leaking from the mozzarella. It’s nothing like the traditional mozzarella (think Pollyo string cheese and the like) used in the United States.

How to Tend to Your Fresh Mozzarella

You’re never supposed to refrigerate it. First, you open the bag and pour its entire contents into a bowl. It sits in the liquid. Then, the bowl remains on your table or counter until you finish eating it. Some Italians (myself included) own a special ceramic bowl. It is a regular bowl on the bottom, but the cover looks like a half moon. It sits on top of the bowl, so that you can see the drowning mozzarella underneath. The half moon cover has holes in it to drain the liquid when you lift the mozzarella on top to cut it. Many of these bowls are handmade and hand painted. Mine comes from Ischia, of course, and it features the island’s famous lemons.

Eat It Fast

Now, the mozzarella won’t taste fresh unless you eat it right away. You risk the mozzarella souring if it is left out too long. If it gets less than fresh, most Italians will put it in the fridge and then use it to cook. They’ll add it to baked pasta or la parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana). Frankly, any recipe that calls for melting mozzarella is going to include the fresh stuff. That other stuff we call mozzarella does not exist here. Indeed, the fresh mozzarella is a big difference between pizza in Italy and pizza in the United States, even New York.

Truthfully, however, most pieces of fresh mozzarella never make it to the point of souring. They’re just too irresistible. When you cut into one of those big balls of fresh mozzarella, the milkiest cream oozes out. The texture is soft and even somewhat creamy. And the taste is slightly sweet with a touch of tang. It is best served on its own with a hunk of bread. Or you can pair it with deli meats, such as prosciutto crudo. Of course, the most popular way to eat fresh mozzarella is in a Caprese salad. This is a salad of fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and salt.

Where Does It Come From?

Also, in the United States, we classify mozzarella as cheese. In Italy, it is not considered cheese exactly. It’s in a class by itself. Many distinguish between mozzarella and cheese, in fact. The best fresh mozzarella is believed to come from the Campania region, specifically Naples. Artisans make the fresh mozzarella largely by hand, and it’s truly considered an art.

In the United States, at least in the Northeast, you can pick up some decent fresh mozzarella in Italian specialty stores. I hear it’s near authentic at Eataly. Also, local Italian American delis often make the real fresh stuff. Personally, I can attest to the authenticity of what you’ll pick up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. Still, most of the time what you’re getting is a cow’s milk based fresh mozzarella. Occasionally, it’s the real deal with buffalo’s milk.

Treccia - Fresh Mozzarella - Ischia Italy - Photo by Francesca Di Meglio
Treccia is another option worth tasting. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Another Story in Italy

See, mozzarella in Italy comes from buffalo’s milk, not cow’s milk. In fact, you’ll read “mozzarella di bufala” on the package. There are some variations worth sampling. You can get smoked fresh mozzarella, known as mozzarella fumigata. Or you can taste fior di latte (flower of milk) mozzarella, which offers the same creamy, milky deliciousness. But it comes from cow’s milk. Often, this version comes braided and is therefore known as treccia. Whichever version you choose, it’s all delicious.

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Update on the Italy Vaccine Controversy

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MAMMA’S DIARY – DIARIO DI MAMMA

The Italy vaccine controversy was gripping the country when I arrived in early summer. Now, the government has made vaccinating your children compulsory.

Parents must have their children vaccinated against 12 diseases, including measles, or face a hefty fine. Children who are not vaccinated up to 6 years old will not be accepted into state-run schools. Parents face fines up to $8,380 for children over 6 who are not vaccinated. And repeat offenders could lose custody of their kids all together, according to NPR.

What Motivated the Decision To Force Vaccinations

I wrote about the debate that was going on earlier in the summer for the Our Paesani column on ItaliansRus. Some of you chimed in with your comments on the Italian Mamma Facebook page. In June 2017, as a measles outbreak plagued the nation, the Italian government was wondering out loud about what to do. More than 3,000 measles cases have been reported in Italy in 2017. At least 35 people have died from the disease across Europe, according to a July 11 story in BBC. In fact, the United States’ Centers for Disease Control issued a travel advisory for Italy as a result of the numerous cases.

Much like Americans, Italians politicized vaccines in recent years. Specifically, the 5-Star Movement, led by comedian Beppe Grillo, suggested vaccines were a prop of the pharmaceutical industry. More recently, this populist political party has taken a page out of the U.S. It has spouted the idea that vaccines lead to autism, which has not been proven. Indeed, in 2014, the political party proposed legislation that linked vaccines to various illnesses, including autism and allergies, as reported by BBC.

The Current Situation

People started to believe the malarkey. Why shouldn’t they? The pharma companies have been pretty greedy. Certainly, vaccines have some side effects. With all the noise, it’s hard for parents to know what to believe. It definitely wouldn’t be the first time doctors were wrong. There was a time when these folks were pushing cigarettes and diet pills. So, the rate of vaccinations for measles dropped to 85 percent, which is well below the threshold of 95 percent. That threshold is what scientists say helps stop the disease from spreading among those in the general public. As long as 95 percent of the population is vaccinated, then the disease is pretty much finished.

Italy has reported more than 3,000 cases of measles in the country in 2017, so far. Making vaccines compulsory is an attempt to address the outbreak. Of course, it also could prevent other illnesses from spreading. The issue has become a cause for parents of children who have weak immune systems. They are pleading with officials to back off trying to appeal or weaken the new law. Still, parents on the other side of the debate continue to protest. They say this law takes away their freedom to choose.

Di Meglio is the author of Fun with the Family New Jersey (Globe Pequot Press, 2012). She also has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

The Italian Guide to Eating Shellfish

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CUCINA

Shellfish in Italy - Francesca Di Meglio
Shellfish is on many an Italian menu, but you better know the rules of eating it before digging in. © Photo by Francesca Di Meglio

Shellfish is popular in many Italian restaurants. In Italy and abroad, you will find popular dishes, such as linguine con le vongole (linguine with clams). Or you might prefer shrimp fra diavolo, which is a little spicy. When you order one of these beauties in Italy, be prepared for judgment. Everyone agrees that shellfish is divine there, especially in southern Italy. But there are rules for eating it. And many foreigners, especially Americans, are clueless about them. Discover what you need to know before sitting down at a restaurant:

Fresh Is the Best

What makes these dishes so delectable in Italy is the freshness. As Americans, we are often getting fish the restaurant manager bought at the Restaurant Depot. It’s fine and all. But when I’m in Ischia, a small island off the coast of Naples that is home of my ancestors and husband, I’m seeing my meal get plucked from the ocean moments before it is cooked and served. Italians prioritize fresh, seasonal food. You’re going to get fish that’s native to the area, and it will have been alive shortly before it was plated. You will notice the difference immediately. If there is a fishy smell or fishy taste, it is not fresh. This means you should not eat it. If the clams or mussels are still closed after their little friends have magically opened during cooking, you should toss them.

Spare the Salt

Whenever I’m watching a cooking show in the United States, I notice chefs are heavy handed with the salt. That’s not the case in Italy. Many seafood dishes – especially if the fish is coming from the already salty ocean – require little to no salt. If you dare use salt, keep it to a pinch. Shellfish usually doesn’t require any.

No Cheese Please

This is the one that really trips up Americans. We are quick to put Parmigiano cheese (or whatever is passing for Parmigiano at the supermarket) on any pasta. Italians believe it is sacrilege to put cheese on a shellfish dish. In fact, when my cousin ordered linguine con vongole in Italy, the waiter famously refused to give him cheese to top it. Oh yeah, he told him, “No way, mister!” If you want to avoid getting your hand slapped, you won’t even ask for it. However, a few intrepid chefs in Ischia have recently added a few Parmigiano shavings to a dish of pasta with mussels and zucchini. It’s not bad. For the most part, though, the cheese on shellfish is still off limits. The belief is that it destroys or hides the taste of the fresh shellfish. When it’s straight from the ocean, you won’t need the cheese. Promise.

Never Mess with Shrimp

Americans are all about cleanliness. We buy already cleaned shrimp, usually frozen in a bag. We never see the shrimp with their heads still attached. Ewwww! Right? But Italians are distinctly different. They don’t mind the mess of cleaning the shrimp at the table while eating. Indeed, cooking the shrimp with skin on and head attached makes for a tastier dish, they say. You’ll see the eyes and everything. But after you cut off the head and remove the skin, you’ll take a bite. And you won’t be disappointed. Many Italians suck the juice out of the head, in fact. I’m not a big fan of that practice. I’m too American, I guess. Still, I never complain about fully clothed shrimp anymore. It’s too delicious to argue.

 Only Lemon for the Fried Stuff

While Americans only seem to eat calamari fried, they are at least indulging in one of southern Italy’s finest ingredients. But they serve the things with red tomato sauce and lemon. Sometimes, there are other dips and doodads surrounding the calamari. Often, there are far too many ingredients in the batter, too. Italians usually just cover the calamari in flour and some light seasoning, such as parsley, before frying. An Italian restaurant in Italy is never going to serve you red tomato sauce on the side of your calamari. The waiter will just bring out lemon to squirt on them. Again, when you are eating fresher food, you don’t need all that other stuff to cover up the natural flavors. Besides, the lemons of southern Italy are usually also exceptional, so you won’t miss getting saucy.

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.

Gomorrah – Gennaro Wants to Be Boss

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MAMMA’S DIARY – DIARIO DI MAMMA

Salvatore Esposito as Gennaro in Gomorrah - Emanuela Scarpa/Sundance TV
Salvatore Esposito as Genny Savastano; single- Gommorah _ Season 1, Episode 8 – Photo Credit: Emanuela Scarpa/Sundance TV

Throughout season 2 of Gomorrah, fans have seen Gennaro’s efforts to become a mob boss. He was willing to work with his father, Don Pietro, at first. Surely, father and son would have sought to avenge Imma’s death at the hands of Ciro. Right? Well, not exactly. Don Pietro repeatedly rejected Gennaro. He blamed him for Ciro’s ability to form the Alliance. Worse, he gave him no credit for creating criminal connections with those in Honduras, who provide them with the drugs to sell. Granted, this is not the kind of stuff that would make a normal parent proud. But Don Pietro is a mob boss. Gennaro wrote him off after numerous attempts to win him over.

Ciro and Gennaro Are Linked for Life

During the season, we saw the rivalry between Ciro and Gennaro play out. They both had the chance to kill the other in season 2, and neither went through with it. Then, they realized that they could make more money and keep the police away without stepping on one another. It worked for a short time. When Don Pietro starts messing with the Alliance to try win back his old life, Ciro and Gennaro are drawn together. We saw them meeting every once in a while. Each time, Ciro tried to convince Gennaro to work against his father. Ciro told Gennaro the poison of this situation is eating you alive. Those words were more important than you might have realized. The season finale reunited them in an unexpected way.

Death Is Still All Around

The season finale opens with Lelluccio, Scianel’s son, opining on how Ciro is a traitor. All the while, he’s snorting cocaine. Next thing you know, he and his henchmen take bullets through the window. They were all dead in a flash. Ciro and his young daughter Maria Rita are still in their house. But they are mostly locked in.

He has security guards and three cars taking her to school every day. Don Pietro starts earning more money now that he’s getting more people to join his squad. And he has eliminated everyone else. But one problem remains – Ciro. He tells Malamore to destroy him. Meanwhile, Patrizia is always present.

Instead of killing Ciro, Don Pietro has Malamore kill Maria Rita. It’s dramatic. They shoot up the cars as she heads to school. You think she might get away with her driver. But Malamore rams into the car with his vehicle, hops out, kisses the crucifix around his neck, and shoots the little girl in the backseat. At least he looked pained when doing it. I have to admit, so far, that was the hardest scene to watch.

All Alone

Ciro attends Maria Rita’s burial alone with his security guards. Then, he heads to the roof. The guards come in and see his apartment in complete disarray. They run to the roof and find Ciro at the edge. He tells them he is setting them all free. He directs them to split the money in the safe between themselves and to go away. He stays on the roof.

Even if these mob bosses have lots of people around them doing whatever they say, they end up alone. On the other hand, Gennaro has family. When we last saw him he was getting married to Azzurra. Many wondered why he and his bride never showed up to the reception. They were off having dinner. Meanwhile, her father got arrested at the party sans couple. Gennaro was testing his new wife. It reminded me of how his father explained the recognition that Imma would always be loyal to him.

Turns out Gennaro’s antics at the wedding had greater significance. In this episode he visits his father-in-law in jail. Dad says the newlyweds offended him by not showing up to the reception. Gennaro responds, “I don’t want to share Azzurra with anyone.” The father then implies Gennaro was the snitch. Back at home Azzurra comes to the same conclusion. Indeed, Gennaro tells her, “Your father was making me a minority partner and that made me mad. You and I have to be in charge of our own destiny.” She agrees and reminds him that she’s betraying her own blood for him.

Old Love

After Don Pietro has Maria Rita killed, Don Pietro has fireworks go off. Literally. It was sick. Gennaro tells him that no one will let him get away with killing a child. He seems to be angry about it. His father says that Ciro killed “my Imma, who was my whole life.” Patrizia is standing there to hear it. Don Pietro shuns Gennaro again when he insists on getting paid for the drugs he’s delivering to his dad’s men. Don Pietro tells him, “You are the son of Pietro Savastano and nothing more.” Gennaro leaves. The chances of reconciliation seem slim.

Patrizia tells Don Pietro that Gennaro has grown into a man, and he should treat him that way. She also reminds him that she betrayed her siblings. She became his soldier. She was willing to die for him. And now she has even tried to be a good wife. But she wouldn’t compete with a ghost. Then, she storms off.

Later, you see Patrizia in a towel drying her hair. Don Pietro walks in. He tells her he is old, she is young. And that he is offering her a bad deal. But as long as he’s still walking, he says, it is because of her. Then, he hands her a ring to offer marriage. She kisses him. End scene.

Next, Don Pietro calls Gennaro and says he needs to talk to him in person where the white roses grow.

The Perfect Ending

Everything was leading up to these final moments of season 2. Don Pietro has Malamore and a driver bring him to Imma’s grave. There, he expresses his sorrow at her absence. He asks forgiveness of her for turning to Patrizia. He says he can’t stand to be alone anymore.

Meanwhile, Gennaro finds Ciro in the corner of the roof like a sick dog. Gennaro has a gun in his hand. You wonder if his father has convinced him to kill. Ciro says, “I wanted to turn the world upside down, but I failed.” Gennaro hands the gun to Ciro and says, “Now, you have one more thing to do.”

At the same time, Azzurra goes into labor. Gennaro is in the delivery room with his wife. Ciro shows up at Imma’s gravesite. Don Pietro says hello to him. Ciro, gun in hand, returns the greeting. Don Pietro says, “In the end, this is all there is.” Ciro agrees and shoots him in the head. Ciro walks away. Malamore and the other guy run to a dead Don Pietro. Gennaro’s son is born. The nurse asks what to call the baby. Gennaro answers, “Pietro. Pietro Savastano.”

Di Meglio has written the Our Paesani column for ItaliansRus.com since 2003. You can follow the Italian Mamma on Facebook or Twitter @ItalianMamma10.