Happy Ferragosto

Buon Ferragosto to all my Italian friends! On August 15th the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated in Italy, although originally it was a holiday with Ancient Roman roots. The name Ferragosto comes from the Latin "Feriae Augusti", which means Festivals of the Emperor Augustus. The tradition was started in 18 BC to celebrate the end of the harvest season. That's just amazing, isn't it? A holiday that has been celebrated for more than 2000 years!

Want to read more about Ferragosto? Please continue here:
Ferragosto

Osteria da Mamma Angela, Orvieto

The town of Orvieto is filled with good restaurants, but one of my favorites is Osteria da Mamma Angela. Located in Piazza del Popolo, it has a small terrace and several cozy rooms. In fact I always feel like I'm having lunch or dinner at a friend's house. The interior decorating is very cute with red checkered tablecloths, whitewashed furniture, photos of famous guests and funny quote signs on the walls.

Osteria da Mamma Angela opened in 2015 and has been a big hit ever since, among locals and tourists alike. The cuisine is typical Umbrian, with dishes like Umbrichelli al pistacchio e speck (pasta with pistachio nuts and cured, smoked ham), tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta with truffels), various types of bruschetta (toasted bread with toppings), rustic soups with lentils, beans, chickpeas and chestnuts,  tagliata di manzo (sliced, high-quality beef), pork skewers and more. My friends always take the signature dish... "baffo" all'Orvietana (cured pork cheek, sautéed with sage and white wine vinegar).... and they go crazy for it!

However, Osteria da Mamma Angela is not only a perfect spot for meat lovers, it's also vegetarian friendly. Mamma Angela serves pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce), ravioli with ricotta cheese and spinach, Caprese salad and delicious vegetable soups. Oh and don't forget the mouthwatering desserts such as tiramisu and cheesecake! Make sure you make a reservation in advance, especially during peak seasons like Umbria Jazz Winter. 

Osteria da Mamma Angela
Piazza del Popolo 2
Orvieto, Italy
Telephone: (+39) 0763 342790
Website: Osteria da Mamma Angela

Summer is here

Summer is finally here! I love the colors, flowers and scent of summer. It feels like I'm being reborn. It has been a really busy winter and spring... with lots of work and unfortunately little time to dedicate to my blog. But sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do (to pay the bills and for a better future.)

Photos taken in The Hague and Lisbon.

Want to see more summer inspiration? Check out one of my previous blogs:
Buon Ferragosto 2022 

Stay chic in the heat 

Restaurant Celele, Cartagena de Indias

Restaurant Celele in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, is a true gem! Not a "hidden gem" anymore, but definitely something special. Celele restaurante is home to Colombian chef Jaime Rodriguez, who is not only a great guy, but also a true innovator. Chef Rodriguez does a lot of research on local ingredients, gastronomic culture and biodiversity. The result is a modern Colombian cuisine, showcasing the best of the best of Latin American produce.

In fact, the colourful (and very Instagrammable) dishes really show what contemporary Colombia has to offer. The Caribbean flower salad, the burrata served with watermelon and gazpacho, the stuffed crab, the guanabana mojito… literally everything tastes so good! 

The delicious food and drinks are served by a very well-trained and kind staff. They really know what they're talking about and if I remember correctly, some of them speak perfect English (and are able to explain the dishes to you in utmost detail).

On top of that, the interior decorating is amazing! I loved the attention to detail in every little thing, from the plates, to the cutlery, from the art on the walls to the flowers in the cocktails... and I could go on and on...! Celele stole my heart. And not just mine... In 2024 Celele ranked number 6 on the Latin America's Best Restaurant List.

If you're lucky enough to visit Cartagena, make sure you make a reservation for Celele in time, because this is currently the hottest place in town. You have to pay a small amount in advance in order to make the reservation, but this will be deducted from your bill. 

I think there is only one thing missing.... and that is merchandise! I would literally buy anything that reminds me of my visit to Celele (t-shirts, kitchen aprons, napkins, cocktail glasses, etc.)....

Celele
Cra. 10c # 29 -200, Calle del Espíritu Santo
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Tel.: +57 (301) 742 0389
Email: reservas@celelerestaurante.com 
Website: https://celelerestaurante.com/en/home/