Asta Internazionale del Tartufo Italiano - The International Auction of The Italian Truffle




Location 2009 THE WESTIN EXCELSIOR ROME Located a few minutes away from the central Spanish steps and the Borghese Gardens, The Westin Excelsior born on 1906 in Via Veneto, still considered one of the most prestigious streets of the capital and an historical meeting place for the international star system, which has attracted, and continues to attract, well-known exponents of the world of culture, art and jet-set. In the past, artists such as Picasso, De Chirico, Marinetti, Boccioni, Ungaretti, Longanesi used to meet at the fashionable "saloon of the capital", while King Farouk of Egypt and Roman princes such as the Borghesed, the Ruspolis and the Massimos made Via Veneto an elegant society promenade. The Westin Excelsior has been considered a crossroad of cultural and social encounters. It is both unique and ungorgettable for having hosted pas and present stars of Hollywood such as Orson Wells, Liz Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Sean Connery, The Rolling Stones, Anastasia, Condolezza Rice and many others. A total renovation programme started in November 2000 and involved the whole hotel in different phases. The 316 guestrooms have been brought back to theis original splendour. Imperial or Biedermeier style, all finely decorated and refurbished with the famous "Heavenly Bed", exclusively created for Westin. In addition, for guests that prefer a private training, The Westin Excelsior Roma, offers 2 Westin Workout Rooms which have more modern design and equipment for firness and wellness as well as an in-room spa service. The exclusive "Villa La cupola", the luxury suite located over 1100 square meters of the fifth and sixth floors of the hotel, overlooking the fashionable area of Via Veneto, is the largest suite in Europe and one of the finest in the world. The central attraction of Villa La Cupola is undoubtedly the domed living room and the imposing cupola - almost 12 metres high - entirely hand frescoed recalling the old Roman palaces and Renaissance's villas. Furthermore the suite has its own private fitness room, sauna, steam bath and magnificent Pompeian style Jacuzzi pool with mosaic floors, vaulted ceiling and frescoes recalling the atmosphere of ancient Roman baths surrounded by an impressive roof-top terrace. Moreover a brand new 300 mq health centre, the Westin Workout Gym, fully equipped with an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, impressive whirlpool, sauna, steam baths and treatment rooms is located in the lower lobby. Famous shoe case on via Veneto, completerly renovated in 2006 and partially restyled in August 2008, the Doney Restaurant offres to its guests tasty Mediterranean recipes created by the Exceutive Chef James Foglieni, ideal for breakfast, lunch, dinner and the Sunday brunch, next door the hop H club Doney Bar, represents the meeting point for aperitif, a romantic after dinner, a light lungh or simply for a coffee. The new ORVM bar, situated inside the Hotel has instead more elegant and modern Art Déco Style. The Westin Excelsior usually hosts important events thanks to the 7 meeting rooms fully renovated and equipped with the latest technology. The Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau, China Dr Stanley Ho, Managing Director of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau recently hosted the official opening ceremony for the Grand Lisboa, SJM’s new flagship leisure and entertainment attraction. The spacious, contemporary Chinese style Grand Lisboa Casino – located adjacent to SJM’s Casino Lisboa, with its 35 year heritage in Macau - is set to become a new top attraction for Macau visitors and residents alike with its bold, elegant architectural design and rich array of entertainment facilities. Featuring nine floors of leisure adventures, the Grand Lisboa offers five floors of gaming with over 240 tables where guests can enjoy a variety of games including Baccarat, Caribbean Poker, Blackjack, and Macau’s unique Fan Tan. Furthermore, the venue will open with more than 480 slot machines located throughout the casino, and has SJM’s first virtual Sic Bo and Baccarat games. For guests looking for alternative pursuits, there is a live Sports Bar on the 2nd Floor, which offers the chance to bet on live sporting fixtures including football and horse racing, plus a stage with free live musical performances throughout the day. Food lovers and wine connoisseurs can explore a wide variety of international cuisine to suit all tastes and budgets through any of the Grand Lisboa’s six restaurants. Most notably, Grand Lisboa’s Don Alfonso 1890, which offers not only fine Italian dining created by chef Alfonso Iaccarino, one of the highest ranking Michelin-starred chefs from Southern Italy, but it also boasts one of the best wine cellars in Asia, sharing its cellar with Casino Lisboa’s Robuchon a Galera, holder of Wine Spectators Grand Award for the last two consecutive years. The interior décor was designed by Khuan Chew. The portfolio of Ms Chew includes Dubai’s world famous Burj Al Arab and the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong. It combines an eclectic fusion of modern and traditional Chinese design to create a light and relaxing environment in the main gaming arena. It incorporates contemporary luxury reflected in the use of thousands of crystals adorning the ceiling throughout the venue, a fountain, the Urn, in the Grand Lisboa lobby which sparkles with 580,000 Swarovski crystals and gold plated leaves, and large decorative crystal balls. This complements the traditional opulence of the deep tread carpets and elegant soft furnishings. It also features a themed Treasure Trove section on the lower level gaming area with a range of slot machines as well as gaming tables. The distinct and iconic architectural design for the Grand Lisboa was inspired by the lotus symbol of Macau combined with the flamboyancy of headdress plumes of Brazilian dancers and the exquisite intrigue of a Fabergé egg. At night, the base is a kaleidoscope of colours thanks to 1.2 million light emitting diodes (LEDs) on its surface.The Grand Lisboa is one of Macau’s tallest buildings with 52 storeys. In phase two, it will open a 430 room hotel. “Grand Lisboa will offer our guests a truly memorable and unique experience. Stylistically, a daring and contemporary entertainment attraction, it remains true to our history and heritage within the Macau market, while reflecting the progressive direction of the organisation,” explained Dr Stanley Ho. "SEMIFREDDO" RESTAURANT - MOSCOW For the last few years Italian restaurants are opened in Moscow so frequently that even "McDonalds's" owners could envy this. But in general, among all restaurants whose names are ended in "o", "Semifredo" restaurant is notably differs and far better than other restaurants. It's one of the best and harmonious - both outwardly and internally - metropolitan restaurants. Even the street seems to be chosen not by a mere chance- though its name descends from the famous soviet neuropathology doctor, it also reminds of Italy. The main reason to visit "Semifreddo" is the chef. Once Nino Graziano wrote a book "My Sicilian Cooking", but his literary talent isn't a thing that attracts visitors, the main fact is that before moving to Moscow he owned a restaurant in Italy, that received two Michelin stars. Basically, in the capital of Russia it's very difficult to find a good chef, but "two-Michelin-stars" laureates occurs rarer that Noble Prize winners. In spite of his achievements, Graziano indefatigably perfects himself and experiments. Among South-Italian fish variety and traditional pasta stand out different sorts of ice-cream - with almond, rum, chocolate. And the name of the restaurant itself means a special not very cold ice cream that resembles souffle to taste and consistency. However, if we follow the principle: "ice-cream for kids", and for adults there are some other pleasures, it's essential to try some wine or grappa, since the choice is immense. Nino Graziano is very much a part of this new generation and he has never hesitated to put his cooking on the line, to dare where others are content to perpetuate the status quo. His motto: Move people, touch them with your cooking. He succeeds in doing this by applying his imagination to traditional Sicilian cuisine. This very subtle balance between tradition and innovation most clearly characterizes the cooking of Nino. His identity card defines him quite simply as "chef", but there is more to Nino Graziano than this label implies. The chef patron of Il Mulinazzo plies his trade in Villaftati, a tiny town off the highway that connects Palermo to Agrigento. No matter what dish he happens to be preparing, no matter how much frenetic activity whirls about his famous kitchen, Nino remains focused on offering an emotional experience. He is intent upon concentrating visual, olfactory and gustatory sensations into something more that a sum of stimuli. A creator of emotions might, in fact, be a better definition for this chef who, in just a few years, has managed to become a major player in the Italian restaurant scene. Certainly he is the chef who has aroused the most interest among colleagues and enlightened diners alike. This is true perhaps because he so completely incarnates the Sicilian stereotype with his black mustache, his gesturing, his slow, measured way of speaking, his curious penetrating black eyes and his notable humility (not a bat trait in a trade noted for its egos). It also true because his cuisine offers a resounding confirmation of the importance of the territorial bond that continues to sustain the finest Italian cooking. Sicily represents the great unexplored territory yet to be discovered. THE LANESBOROUGH An Overview of London’s Most Desirable Address Situated on the borders of Knightsbridge and Belgravia, in the heart of London and with panoramic views of Hyde Park, The Lanesborough is truly one of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Today The Lanesborough retains the elegance and sophistication of an eighteenth century private residence combined with the contemporary luxuries expected of a luxury hotel. The 95 guest rooms include 43 suites, luxuriously decorated to the very highest specifications and featuring technology cleverly concealed by original and reproduction period furnishings. Unlike other luxury hotels, The Lanesborough offers guests a broad range of complimentary amenities that include Sony VAIO laptops in all guest rooms, 24 hour butler service, high speed wireless internet access, Movies on demand, fresh fruit, mineral water, audiovisual options, and personal stationery. Additional services include concierge assistance, limousine service, and valet parking. The hotel’s culinary experience is world renowned. The newly launch of Apsleys, a Heinz Beck Restaurant offers fine dining in an elegant yet contemporary environment with modern Italian cuisine from head chef, Massimiliano Blasone. Afternoon tea at The Lanesborough is highly sought after and guests enjoy the services of London’s only tea sommelier along with gluten free options. The Lanesborough has also recently been awarded “Best in London” by the UK Tea Council. The Library Bar has been rated as the “Best Hotel Bar in the World” and houses a collection of vintage cognacs. The Garden Room is first luxury smoking venue in Knightsbridge, providing the best smoking room in London and housing an extensive collection of Cuban and Pre-Castro cigars. Apsleys, a Heinz Beck Restaurant This is the first restaurant outside Italy created by internationally renowned chef, Heinz Beck - holder of 3 Michelin stars at La Pergola in Rome. As Beck has said of his cooking, it is "light cuisine of Mediterranean flavours". The Executive Chef, and the man responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of Beck's menu is Massimiliano Blasone, who until recently was the executive chef at Castello Banfi, the Tuscan estate producing Brunello di Montalcino wine. Apsleys has two private dining rooms and two wine tasting rooms which offer an impressive list of wines, and many are available by the glass.