PALM BEACH, FL (May 2, 2016) – Beautiful blue skies and sunshine marked the day on Sunday on April 24th when nearly 100 members and friends of Il Circolo gathered at Arturo’s Ristorante in Boca Raton for the final event of the spring season. Proprietors Vincenzo and Rosaria Gismondi greeted guests in their charming Italian villa-inspired restaurant and everyone was enthusiastic to celebrate the food and culture of Italy’s Calabria Region.
Event co-chairwomen, Debi Rodi and Sally Valenti, worked with the
Gismondis to create a delightful menu of regional foods perfectly paired with red and white Italian wines. The appetizer presented was Polipo alla Griglia con Pitta, a cold seafood salad accented by the hot, red pepper symbolic of the Calabria region. This was followed by the second course of Maccheroni al Ferro con Melanzane e Caciocavallo, hand-rolled pasta with eggplant and regional cheese. At this point, Vincenzo called out the chef from the kitchen and, holding up his hands, informed the guests that he now had calluses from spending days of rolling and shaping the delectable handmade pasta. The round of applause he got from the diners assured him his labor of love was not in vain and very much appreciated.
After the pasta course, an entrée of Branzino alla Calabrese was served alongside fresh vegetables. Lunch ended with each guest receiving a plate of dolce, or Calabrian sweets, and coffee, cappuccino or espresso.
During dessert, Il Circolo’s Executive Vice President, Sally Valenti,
extended heartfelt congratulations from the organization to long-time members Don and Angie Seta of Boca Raton, on the celebration of their 62nd wedding anniversary. The blushing couple received a round of applause from the guests as Mrs. Valenti exclaimed that they were a “true inspiration to us all!”
Debi Rodi said, “The Gismondis did a beautiful job hosting our organization and what a memorable way to close our most successful Il Circolo season to-date. We can’t wait to begin again after our summer break and plans are already in process for another magnificent season of family, friends and la cultura Italiana. Buon Estate and we will see you all in the fall! ”
Please download images here
