On Tuesday, The Italy America Chamber of Commerce (IACC) held their 8th annual Ospitalita Italiana: The Authentic Italian Table. The event brought tastemakers, media, and foodies together for an evening of delicious Italian cuisine and wines. The party was held at the Hudson Mercantile and featured 13 of the finest Italian restaurants in the city. The restaurants were handpicked as the best in New York and have received the highly coveted “Seal of Quality Award”. The award is high praise as it is honored by Italy’s National Institute of Tourism and only recognizes restaurants who provide a high quality, authentic Italian dining experience.
The Ospitalita Italiana began in 1997. Its purpose was to preserve Italian culture and traditions and protect consumers from counterfeit products. Each restaurant of the restaurants featured in last weeks event upholds the standards set by the Ospitalita Italiana and represents the very best in the city. Participating restaurants included: Marco Polo, Brooklyn; I Trulli, Manhattan; La Nonna Bella, Garden City, and Maiella, Long Island City. Each eatery presented the hungry guests with small plates of their best dishes. Guest sampled dishes including wine infused pastas, tender cured meats, pastries, and creamy gelatos. The evening also served as a precursor to next month’s massive Italian Restaurant week. Be sure to mark your calendars and check out the Italian Restaurant Week website for Summer event – from June 02 –09!
To become a member of IACC, visit www.italchamber.org/join-iacc.
Photos by Edoardo Cozzani, Aldo Soligno, and Riccardo Piazza