I was invited by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA – USA – NYC) to attend an event called Dining With Bacchus. Upon reading the email, several things went through my mind. What is the Italian Trade Agency (ITA)? What is Dining With Bacchus? There’s a Bacchus Mardi Gras Parade held in New Orleans annually, but somehow this didn’t seem affiliated with that event. You are probably asking yourself those same questions. Well, I have some answers for you.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is a government agency whose purpose is to promote foreign trade and Italy’s exports. When you think of Italy, you think of delectable & delicious food, sumptuous wine & vineyards, luxurious Italian accessories & clothes etc. But Italy’s goods are not limited to just food, wine, or fashion. Italy is also known for their beauty products, technology, investments, flowers, plants, seeds, industrial textiles, agriculture and so much more.
Dining With Bacchus is an intimate dinner hosted by the ITA, where Italian wines are paired with Italian & International cuisines. Employees of the ITA travel globally promoting Italian food & wine. I’m so happy one of their stops was here in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Dining With Bacchus event was held at the Saint Vincent Hotel on Magazine Street (Lower Garden District), here in New Orleans. What’s so funny is, I had never heard of the hotel! My readers know, I have dined up and down Magazine Street (1,2,3,4,5,) but this hotel eluded me. I found out, this magnificent treasure is located near the very end of Magazine Street. It was originally built in 1861 and restored in 2021. This hotel has 75 rooms.
The grounds of the hotel are so beautiful. Its surroundings are gated. I love that there is off-street parking. Once inside this enclosure, you’re greeted with charming walkways, beautiful shrubbery and palm trees, fanciful fairy lights, a Virgin Mary sculpture & fountain, and relaxing places to sit. It’s all very peaceful and tranquil.
The inside of the hotel is equally as fabulous. I have a penchant for chandeliers. I look for them everywhere I go. I thought these (in the picture below) were so pretty. Below is a glimpse of Paradise Lounge, which is the hotel’s lobby bar. The hotel also has two restaurants: San Lorenzo and Elizabeth Street Cafe. All are on the hotel’s premises.
Dining With Bacchus was held in the San Lorenzo Restaurant and Bar of the Saint Vincent Hotel.
Would you like a tour of San Lorenzo? This charming restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner.
I arrived slightly early, because I love taking pictures of things before they are (ahem) disturbed. Everything was absolutely impeccable. White tablecloths, beautiful roses and white candles graced each table. It was very beautiful.
Each place setting gave a preview, as to what wines were to be sampled.
This allowed guests to focus on the presenters, wines and food.
Let me introduce you to Antonino Laspina! He introduced himself to me before the event started and made a very strong impression on me. Mr. Laspina is the Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for the ITA/USA. His office is in New York. What impressed me about his presentation, was his experiences growing up in Italy, explanation of the ITA (all that the agency offers), and overall genuineness and kindness.
He mentioned the importance of traveling with and being an integral part of Dining With Bacchus. That really impressed me, because a man of his qualifications and stature could’ve easily passed this responsibility to someone else (and stay in his office in New York); but he wanted to be a part of this event. That spoke volumes and was greatly appreciated.
What was on the menu? 12 Italian wines with 12 Italian and/or International courses! I must let you in on a brief little secret. Before attending this event, I peeked at some of the other cities ITA visited. I noticed that the food menu was different for each city. Mr. Laspina explained why the menus were different for each city. Italian wine doesn’t always have to be paired with Italian food. Italian wine can also be paired with local cuisine and wanted to prove it. Well, that he did.
The first three courses, consisted of Italian wines 1-3 (Prosecco Doc, Vino Frizzante Rosatto, Franciacorta Docg). The food selections for courses 1-3 were Wild Mushroom Soup, Hamachi Crudo, and Seared Scallop. All three were delicious.
Courses 4-6 consisted of Italian wines 4-6 (Etna Doc Bianco, Pinot Grigio Friuli Doc and Alto Adige Doc). All were delightful. The food selections for courses 4-6 included Oyster, Eggplant Crostini and Pecorino Sardo Dop.
A glass of red wine? Wines 7-9 consisted of (Valpolicella Ripasso Doc, Aglianico Del Vulture Doc and Brunello Di Montalcino Docg). The courses for 7-9 were Rib Eye, Prosciutto Di Parma Dot and Bresaola Della Valtellina IGP.
Time for dessert! I mean dolce! Dessert wines 10-12 included Moscato D’Asti Docg, Vin Santo Del Chianti Doc, and Amaro. Courses 10-12 was OMA, a stuffed date and gelato. Superb! To see all of these wines and food pairings in action, please view my Instagram reels. I made five reels for this event. I learned a lot and want to pass on this knowledge to you.
Grazie! Thank You! What I thought was so nice, was the acknowledgment of the chefs and serving staff towards the end of our dinner. I often tell others, that the words THANK YOU are not extended enough. The restaurant staff did an amazing job! The food was delicious and presented beautifully. The wine flowed consistently. Everyone really had a great time. I can’t wait to book a room at the Saint Vincent Hotel and explore its restaurants, bar and services again.
I would also like to thank Colangelo PR and the Italian Trade Agency for inviting me to this event. I learned so much about what products Italy has to offer (Italy offers a great number of things). I got to sample fine Italian wine and learned some key terminology (I now know what DOC and DOCG mean). I got to sample some great cheeses. I met some powerful business executives from New York. I took all of these experiences in and plan on using them in both my personal and professional life. I’m so happy I attended this event.
It was hinted that the ITA may come back to New Orleans to give another event. As a New Orleanian, I ask that you do visit our city again. Many of you know, I have another blog called A Very Sweet Blog, that focuses on beauty products and fashion. Well, I found an interesting read on ITA’s website called Beauty Made In Italy. It outlines popular beauty brands that are Made in Italy. Such a great read. My wish ITA is for you to host a beauty and fashion event. If so, please invite me. I would love to learn more and I’m sure my readers as well! Thank you for hosting an amazing event!
Good article!
Author
Thank You 🙂