Nicola and John

Need a restaurant recommendation? An architect’s opinion? An artistic eye? A friendly welcome to the area? A taco party? Renewed faith in love? Then John and Nico are your guys.

Getting to know these new friends has been such a pleasure. I’m always on the lookout for role models – people who have given up one life in favor of something that feels more authentic to them. Uprooting an established life is not easy, in fact it’s a lot like trying to uproot blackberries or bamboo. A lot of people talk about it, but few follow through successfully. The ones who do are guaranteed to have at least a streak of crazy, and that makes me want to know them. The gratitude these men feel for being able to start fresh and live as who they truly are, now, is palpable and inspiring. Though I have gotten to know them a bit over the last year or so, on this latest trip they fed me dinner (so many delicious things) while I shamelessly asked them questions about their lives in an attempt to “interview” them. Their stories are fascinating and complicated and multi faceted, but should be told by them, not me. What I do want to share are some of the little details that make me so glad these people have come into my life.

Have you ever tried to hang a wall of pictures? It’s a really hard thing to get right. Walking into John and Nico’s perfectly curated, contemporary-cozy house the first thing you notice is the amazing art collection, much of it created by the two of them. The second thing you notice is how they somehow managed to group it and hang it in such a professional, harmonious way. On concrete walls no less. Serious talent, I’m telling you.

When Nico and John travel back to the US for a visit they come home with a suitcase full of tortillas, chilies and hot sauce. So, obviously, they are my kind of people. I felt a real bond when I found out that I’m not the only one planning to bring hoisin sauce to Italy on my next trip.

This summer when J and N came to my house for dinner, Felix smashed his finger pretty badly and started to scream (like really scream). They were unfazed and just got some ice while I tried to calm the situation. Having a kid like Felix, with all his enthusiasm and spontaneous energy, makes you aware of who the truly accepting people in your life are. John has two grown daughters so he understands what it is like to be a parent, and Nico is just a compassionate, lovely human being. They have taken us as we are, warts and all, as the saying goes, with grace and judgements that they kindly keep to themselves. It’s a quality more of us could use to work on.

I have had a terrible attitude about gluten free bread. Nico changed my mind. Not only was his gluten free bread edible, it was delicious – crusty and chewy and exactly what bread should be. My mind was blown. My world was rocked. My attitude was adjusted.

These two met at the opening of an art show of Nico’s. John was wearing a tuxedo with buttons he had made out of Legos. I feel like this might be the most important detail of their love story.

John has been planning his exit from American life for a long time. He set a goal for the day he would walk away from his full time job and start his new journey. What I love is that he also set a count down on his phone with the number of years, months, days, hours, minutes…and then he honored that commitment to himself.

I think (hope) we have started a tradition of exchanging our latest jam concoctions. I was served and then gifted a quince jam when they didn’t even know that quince is my favorite of favorites, so much so that it is my son’s middle name. Thank you guys, for the jam and the friendship.

Last meal (I knew these guys would knock it out of the park with this question. I must say I’m feeling pretty proud of them and their dedication to this meal)

Nicola:

Sex

Appetizer #1: Treccia di mozzarella Pugliese (fresh mozzarella braids) with EVOO, homegrown oregano, salt and pepper

Salad: Bresaola, arugula, shaved Parmesano Reggiano, EVOO, salt and pepper

Appetizer #2: Cozze gratinate Pugliese (tiny baked mussels stuffed with crispy bread crumbs)

Main: Eggplant Lasagna

Drink: Solaia Antonori Super Tuscan 2015

Dessert: Pan de Spagna filled with crema pasticcera made by John

After dinner drink: Cynar

Espresso

John:

Sex

Appetizer#1: Queso Flameado (sautéed onions, peppers and chorizo, baked with queso Chihuahua on top, all served on a warm corn tortilla)

Salad: Bresaola, arugula, shaved Parmesano Reggiano, EVOO, salt and pepper

Appetizer #2: Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup

Main: Chateaubriand for two (I mean, he has only had a little tiny bit of soup, salad and a meager tortilla so far, so two servings for John), asparagus and roasted potatoes.

Drink: Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2015

Dessert: Nico’s leftover Pan de Spagna (because he always eats only half)

After dinner drink: Ratafia from Mayorca

Selection of dark chocolates

Espresso