Latest news with #Italian-themed
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Italian-style nuptials a hit
Mallory and Chris Cooper-Tait were married at the bride's family home in Whiterigg, Gore, on February 15, 2025. PHOTOS: SADBHB PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Tait and Mallory Cooper share photos of their wedding with The Ensign readers. The Gore couple were married at the bride's family home in Whiterigg, Gore on February 15, 2025, becoming Mr and Mrs Cooper-Tait. The couple chose an Italian theme for their wedding, which included a main meal of authentic Italian pizza from the Italian Way food truck and plenty of dancing. Mrs Cooper-Tait said her family home was the ideal venue for their Italian-themed wedding. "We wanted a really fun and relaxed wedding, with lots of laughing and dancing — so nothing was too serious," she said. Mrs Cooper-Tait, pictured with husband Chris, wore a vintage wedding dress from Love James, a second hand/vintage wedding dress store in Auckland, which she accompanied with a vintage veil. "It's a pretty special spot and it honestly couldn't have worked better. "My parents did the most incredible job making it feel like we were in Italy. "We DIY'd a lot and our family and friends from around Gore really rallied around us in the week prior to set everything up — we have never felt so loved. Mrs Cooper-Tait, pictured with husband Chris, wore a vintage wedding dress from Love James, a second hand/vintage wedding dress store in Auckland, which she accompanied with a vintage veil. "We spent many evenings and weekends at their house leading up to the wedding. "We built the bars from old doors, made signs out of old timber and glass doors, got recycled benches from an old boarding house and just used what we could find or make." The couple said there were many special moments. Mr Cooper-Tait said the dance floor was a "massive hit" with guests. Mr Cooper-Tait (centre) with the groomsmen (from left) Seamus Jobson, William Henderson and Tyler Hambleton. "Following the first dance, the floor was full the whole night. "We dragged out a suitcase of dress-ups which everyone threw on instantly, it was incredibly special having all our families together to celebrate our day." The couple wished to thank everyone who made their wedding special, especially their friends and family who helped on the day.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Olive Garden diner disgusted by garnish that came with her drink
Diners were disgusted after seeing a nasty surprise served atop an Olive Garden customer's drink. A visitor to the popular Italian-themed restaurant chain shared her stomach-churning find in a TikTok clip taken at an outpost in Arlington, Texas, on Easter. The user, who goes by @ claimed her husband ordered an iced tea topped with a rotting strawberry featured in the video that's racked in over 7 million views. 'When your husband doesn't want to be the one complaining so he hands it you to do the talking,' the TikToker wrote in the post. Servers brought out a new iced tea with a fresh strawberry but did not give them a discount on their meal, she said. Viewers found the matter revolting, with some saying they would never eat at the restaurant again if it happened to them. 'I'd have got up and left, if something that obviously rotten gets put out imagine the less obvious stuff you're getting...' one commenter wrote. 'Not to be dramatic but I'd leave and never go back,' another replied. Viewers also took aim at the employee who prepared the drink. 'Who in their right mind says oh it's moldy it's fine maybe they won't notice,' one commenter wrote. 'How did the person who made that not see that the strawberry is 83 percent mold,' another responded. 'Whoever put that on there should not be working anywhere near food,' a third added. A few claiming to be former Olive Garden employees also lost their appetites at the sight, with some suggesting the diner contact a health inspector. Moldy strawberries are typically not harmful enough to seriously harm those who consume them, according to the USDA. However, someone who eats one could experience digestive issues like nausea or vomiting. There are cases where diners could experience more serious symptoms, especially those allergic to various kinds of mold. The diners contacted Olive Garden and heard back from guest relations about the matter, the TikToker said in a follow-up clip. An email shown in the video stated that the restaurant's general manager and its team would work to prevent the situation from happening again. The chain also offered a $25 gift card - an amount that caused the TikToker to scoff. 'Are you guys missing a zero over here?' she said in the clip. She further explained that she decided to stay at the restaurant despite the experience because of her children. 'The reason why we didn't get up and leave... I have three little kids under 5 years old. They were hungry; I had to feed them right there because it was the only option,' she said. 'It sucks because, as parents in this economy, we worked so hard to go out and enjoy a meal, and this s*** happens. Daily Mail reached out to the TikToker, Olive Garden, and its parent company for comment.
Times
22-04-2025
- Times
Columbia Beach Resort hotel review: a stylish, family-friendly stay in Cyprus
Occupying a prime spot just a pebble-skim from the water's edge of Pissouri Bay, on the southern coast of Cyprus, this five-star beachside resort is a haven for families, couples and singles alike. The hotel's quiet location, on a secluded bay between the bustling cities of Limassol and Paphos — a 30-minute drive from both — guarantees convenience and quiet. The resort offers old-fashioned luxury, with elegant interiors and design features that mimic traditional Cypriot villages. Comfortable rooms combined with three upmarket restaurants, two swimming pools, a gloriously inviting spa and wellness suite, and plenty of children's activities make for a tempting mix. Service is efficient and friendly throughout the resort. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 9/10The 169 guest suites are spacious and homely, with ceramic floors, rustic ceiling beams, mahogany furniture and characterful, heavy wooden doors. Suites range from Juniors catering for two people through to larger Executive options. Six of the Family suites, which come with two bedrooms, have interconnecting doors to a junior suite to accommodate larger groups. Rooms are decorated in a calming cream colour palette, while thick curtains and comfortable chairs come in Mediterranean hues of aqua, caramel and sunset pink. All suites have an outside area, be it a wrap-around balcony, smaller balcony or garden, depending on which class of room you choose; some of the top-level Eagle's Nest suites have their own private pool. Bathrooms continue the elegance, with marble and glass decor and walk-in showers (most also come with a bath tub). Score 8/10Dining at the resort's three top-notch restaurants is as much about their views out over the dramatic Pissouri Bay coastline as it is about the food. At the hotel's main restaurant, the relaxed Cape Aspro, dishes are inspired by Mediterranean and pan-Asian cuisine — highlights include salmon and tuna crispy rice, roasted miso-glazed aubergine, and creamy lobster ravioli — served alfresco on the terrace. Elsewhere, the Apollo Tavern specialises in classic Cypriot dishes such as souvlaki, moussaka and a delicious kleftiko (slow-cooked lamb). The more formal, Italian-themed Bacchus, with its moody lighting, crisp white table linens and sparkling crystal glasses, is the place to head to for a romantic meal for two under the stars. An excellent à la carte breakfast is served at Cape Aspro, and there's a buffet-style affair at Bacchus featuring all the classics (eggs, fruit, pancakes, freshly baked bread). Six bars, including a swim-up pool bar, serve up expertly crafted cocktails and mocktails — at the indoor-outdoor Eros bar, try the Aperol Twist, made with premium vermouth and pink grapefruit soda, or a spicy, rum-based Pink Sailor. • More great hotels in Cyprus• Best beaches in Cyprus Score 9/10The award-winning Hebe Spa, named after the ancient Greek goddess of youth, has a lovely indoor-outdoor pool and six treatment rooms where massages and facials incorporate Elemis products and ingredients that grow on the island, such as lavender flowers. Spa sessions for children are available in the mornings. There's also a kids' club for those between 4-12 years and a crèche for babies and toddlers. The resort offers a wide choice of water sports, including waterskiing, wakeboarding, pedal boats and jet skis (though all come at an extra cost). Score 8/10The hotel occupies a prime beachside spot in Pissouri, on the south coast between Paphos and Limassol. The nearest airport is Paphos, around 30 minutes' drive away. Although the hotel is served by public buses, hiring a car would be ideal for those wanting to explore more of Cyprus. Pissouri's lively village centre, where you'll find plenty of characterful bars and tavernas, is a five-minute drive. Ten-minutes drive away is the architectural site of the ancient city-state and kingdom of Curium, dating to around 1100BC, with its well-preserved mosaics. Price B&B doubles from £270Restaurant mains from £26Family-friendly YAccessible Y Carole French was a guest of Columbia Beach Resort ( • Best luxury villas in Cyprus• Best family hotels in Cyprus
Los Angeles Times
23-03-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Escape to Italy with six spring recipes
My birthday falls in late January at the height of winter, when post-holiday blues are at their peak. I use it as an excuse to plan an annual warm-weather getaway and take advantage of off-season prices. This year — in the wake of California wildfires and a tense presidential inauguration — the need to escape felt even more pronounced. In early February I frolicked solo through Rome, Florence and Naples, with day trips to explore Tuscany and Pompeii ruins. I decided early on in my trip that I wouldn't bother with souvenirs — save an herb-salt seasoning blend I picked up from Dario Cecchini's Chianti-based butchery at the behest of Food general manager Laurie Ochoa. My suitcase was heavy enough as it was. But exuberance got the best of me during a seven-hour Tuscany wine tour. From Champagne-method sparkling wine to crisp rosé and bold Sangiovese, every option seemed better than the last. And the wineries were kind enough to offer to ship my selections directly to my home so I wouldn't have to deal with overweight luggage. Heady with Chianti Classico, I generously scrawled my credit card information and address across a handful of order forms. Six bottles come in a case, so it'd be wasteful to order anything less, right? Weeks later I was back at home and my trip to Italy was a fast-fading memory. That is, until my shipment arrived in the mail. Opening my international bounty was like unwrapping a Christmas present. I had scant memory of my purchases — six wines and two olive oils in total — but was nonetheless impressed by the variety I'd chosen. I thought about what our sommelier tour guide had said about the drawbacks of saving wine for a special occasion. Even the best wine can unexpectedly turn when it's left for too long. As in life, nothing is guaranteed. I decided to host an Italian-themed potluck that could double as a wine and olive oil tasting. I stipulated a springtime-in-Italy dress code, and that every guest should bring an Italian export to share. I promised a lineup of Italian cinematic masterpieces as entertainment, from 'The Lizzie McGuire Movie' to 'Roman Holiday' and 'House of Gucci.' The party is coming up this weekend, and the menu is almost finalized. I plan to greet each guest with an Aperol spritz when they arrive, with fresh focaccia for ripping and dipping in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and pitted Castelvetrano olives for snacking. To cut down on food prep, since I'm also playing host, I'll be making a classic Caprese salad pulled from Laura Vitale's 'At My Italian Table' cookbook, with tomatoes on the vine, buffalo mozzarella, olives and fresh basil, all drizzled with olive oil. My friends, who happen to love a theme as much as I do, are bringing more involved plates, including chicken cacciatore, mushroom risotto, a seafood salad, Margherita pizza and pistachio tiramisu. In case you're also feeling the need to escape, here are six recipes to create your own transportive Italian spread. Eating out this week? Sign up for Tasting Notes to get our restaurant experts' insights and off-the-cuff takes on where they're dining right now. As mentioned, I personally do not possess the skills to both host a successful party and cook or bake anything that requires prolonged attention, so the focaccia at my soiree will be fresh-baked courtesy of Eataly, but if you're keen on doing it yourself, this recipe from Duff Goldman's 'Duff Bakes: Think and Bake Like a Pro at Home' cookbook is fairly straightforward. Goldman begins with starter dough, or biga, to give the focaccia more flavor, and recommends allowing for three days of fermentation. You can top the bread with the ingredients of your choice, though the basil oil, sliced onion and Parmesan that Goldman uses are great for an Italian flavor profile. Get the recipe. Cook time: 2 hours. Makes 2 12-inch rounds. With sunny weather on the horizon, this simple bruschetta with albacore tuna steak from Evan Kleiman is the perfect way to celebrate the shift in season. It's based on the Sicilian dish tonno alla Matalotta, and though it involves grilling, any simple setup will do as long as you have olive oil on hand. Get the time: 35 minutes. Serves 4 to 8. Artichokes are currently in season and this straightforward recipe from former cooking columnist Ben Mims by way of his friend Helen Rosner is a simple take on Italian fritti with oil-marinated artichoke hearts that are cooked in the oven on foil-lined baking the time: 35 minutes. Serves 6 to 8. Is it really an Italian party without fried vegetables or seafood? This pezzetti fritti recipe from Leah Koenig traces back to Roman Jewish kitchens and features a thick batter that completely coats the vegetables. Serve the dish hot with a generous squeeze of lemon. Get the recipe. Cook time: 1 hour. Serves 4 to 6. This risotto from Dunsmoor chefs Brian Dunsmoor and Manuel Mendoza uses Carolina gold rice for a lowcountry take on the classic Italian dish, but a generous helping of Parmesan, white wine and dry sherry, plus shrimp paste and butter, bring it back to its roots. Get the time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Serves 6 to 8. To cap off your Italian spread, try this pistachio lemon olive oil cake from Valerie Gordon of Valerie Confections. Gordon uses pistachio flour to further boost the creamy, nutty profile, and a blend of sumac, coriander and fleur de sel in the lemon glaze lends a warmth to the finished the time: 1 hour plus cooling time. Makes one 9-inch cake.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King's Vatican visit still on despite Pope's illness
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are going ahead with the state visit to Italy and the Vatican, including plans for a meeting with Pope Francis. The Pope has been ill - but Buckingham Palace says the trip will continue as planned, from 7-10 April, with engagements in Rome and Ravenna. The King had privately sent a letter to the Pope, when he was taken ill - but a photo released by the Vatican at the weekend appeared to show the 88-year-old was slowly recovering. The visit will see a symbolic building of links between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is the Supreme Governor. Stars join the King for Italian-themed dinner Pope seen for the first time since going to hospital Catholics mark Pope's 12th anniversary with prayers for his recovery As well as meeting the Pope, the King will attend an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. And in what the Palace says is a "historic first", he will also visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul's Outside the Walls. Kings dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era helped support and fund this church, where Saint Paul is buried - and the visit by King Charles will be seen as a sign of reconciliation and bringing together these historic threads. There will also be a personal dimension to the state visit, as the trip to Rome coincides with the King and Queen's 20th wedding anniversary. The visit will support the modern-day relationships between the UK and Italy, reflecting "shared values, history and culture". That includes Italian food - and as a warm-up to the visit, the King hosted a dinner at Highgrove, with the menu inspired by American-Italian actor Stanley Tucci. The King will meet Italy's president and prime minister and become the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament. The royal visitors will be guests at a state banquet. And military links will be promoted with a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force and the UK's Red Arrows. In Ravenna, the royal couple will view the tomb of the Italian writer Dante, and the Queen will tour a museum commemorating the poet Lord Byron.
