a visit to Sapori Italian Restaurant

 

We had the most amazing holiday dinner this week at one of our all-time favorite Italian restaurants, Sapori Ristorante. One of the true hidden gems of Newport Beach for authentic Italian food.

 

Not only do they have all the traditional pasta dishes you could imagine, they also have so many delicious seafood, poultry and meat options. We opted for a starter of the Shrimp in White Wine and Garlic Sauce. Very good!! 

For dinner I selected the Filet Mignon with Porcini Mushrooms and a Cognac Cream Sauce, while Willy had one of the specials of the evening, the Grilled Branzino served with a side of Angel Hair Pasta. All very, very good! 

In fact, I think it was the best steak I’ve ever had!!

 

For dessert, we couldn’t decide between the Tiramisu and the Creme Brulee, so we had both!

 

They offer the coziest dining experience on their outdoor patio, where the beautiful fireplace takes center stage. During Christmastime, the restaurant feels very special and so festive!

My husband and I arrived early to make sure we got a nice seat next to the warm fireplace.

 

In addition to the cozy patio, they also have a beautiful indoor seating area, which also opens up to the bar and more informal pizzeria restaurant.

 

Whether you dine in for pizza, or order takeout, the pizzas are authentically made the Italian way!! Is there any other way that pizza could be more delicious?

Pizzeria Sapori has it’s own menu… check it out HERE!

Conveniently located on Bayside Drive between Newport Beach, and Corona del Mar, I would recommend this restaurant whole-heartedly to all my friends! 

Have you ever eaten here?  

Sapori Ristorante is located at 

1080 Bayside Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660

949-644-4220

 

ciao fabiana

 

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my favorite country collectables & more!

Antique and vintage collectables have always had a dear place in my heart, especially kitchen collectables.

As a part of a series that showcases some of my exclusive projects that I created especially for Country Sampler Farmhouse Style magazine, I’m starting off with this fun collection of green wooden handled kitchen utensils.

 

Once you start off with a piece or two, the collecting process can be quite fun! It’s always a hoot finding one of these pieces, and they can turn up in some of the most unexpected places.

 

Garage sales are my favorite place to find these goodies, and in addition to the green handled kitchen tools, I’m also partial to the blue ones. The red ones seem to be the most popular, though. 

  

Along with kitchen tools, I’m also drawn to old canning jars. Not only are they pretty, but they are also quite useful! Here I used one of my favorite Mason jars to store my homemade pancake mix.

 

Pretty little teacups are also another fun collectable. I love this light blue one!

 

You can’t go wrong with any kind of vintage pitcher. There’s something homey about their form. That lovely handle place directly across from a cute little spout. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s just feels cozy!

 

They’re quite useful in so many ways and even so pretty on their own or as a part of a larger collection. Blue and white or just plain blue ones are among the ones I like best.

Above, you can see some of my most treasured ones on my family room mantel. Some have flowers, while others don't. All the flowers shown here are cut directly from my garden. I just love the hydrangeas... they keep going and going all summer long! 

 

English, French and American stoneware crocks are also fun to collect. I like the ones with the blue, black or brown lettering the most. Do you have any of these? 

They also make great vases because they’re so heavy and flowers that are top-heavy are well supported. They also make great utensil holders, pencil or brush holders or a just-about-anything holder!

 

Old kitchen graters can be used in so many fun ways. Here I’ve used them to hold a couple of posies of cottage garden flowers from my yard.

 

Here’s one last little recipe that makes the best of day-old bread and your favorite Italian seasoning mix. This homemade breadcrumb mixture will then keep in the pantry or fridge for a long time. 

It's so easy to make and come in quite handy when making our favorite chicken Milanese.

 

ciao fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

a tablescape in a box!

 

A tablescape in a box! What could be better?! 

Delightfully charming and sophisticated, this holiday setting can be used all winter long. 

J’adorn J’cor makes it easy with completely curated tableware that arrives in a beautiful box and includes everything to make your table the star during this holiday season.

Dinner plates in textured blue can be paired over and over and the adorable salad plates will have you dreaming of snow angel fun. 

Table runner, napkins, plates, glassware, flatware and accessories are all selected to make tables setting so easy during the holidays, or any time of year.

 

Reminiscent of an old-fashioned snowy ❄ day, the plates show how fun snow angels are to make.

The statement wine glasses (sold separately) add to the refined but playful feeling and hob nob water glasses bring texture and versatility.

 

Extra flowers and evergreens are from Trader Joe's and look great with this “Snow Much Fun” package.

 

There’s even a cute sleigh breadbasket that can be added to this set! I made my special Cranberry Orange and Almond Muffins for this celebration brunch.

Italian flatware with either bright red or light blue can be added to this box as an “extra” to finish the look of your table! 

 

Here’s what’s included in the "Snow Much Fun" Collection:

 

·    4 snow angel salad porcelain plates

·    4 blue stoneware dinner plates

·    4 porcelain angel bud vases for a thin Candle or holiday sprig

·    4 berry & pine sprigs for angel vases

·    4 blue highball glasses

·    4 dinner cotton napkins in red with white stitching

·    1 cotton Scandinavian winter sweater pattern table runner

 

Check out J'adorn J'cor for more info.

ciao! fabiana

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*. 

 

 

 

 

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4th of july decor and beautiful gifts

July is finally here, and that means the 4^th is literally around the corner, so let’s talk about red, white and blue table décor! And while we’re at it, I have a couple of my favorite recipes that I recently made to share with you again.

 

Isn’t the American Flag Banner cute? I used it here as a backdrop for this gorgeous Sailboat Topped Decanter, but I plan on taking this outside to my front porch later today for a touch of patriotic curb appeal.

It's also right at home indoors or in the backyard as an easy way to add a festive touch to the weekend barbecues and cookouts.

 

I found a big set of these funny little piggy napkin rings last week and thought they deserved some farmhouse style to make them feel right at home, and nothing does that better than gingham. 

Big, bold gingham is perfect for that nostalgic look that I love so much.

 

Here's another recent table I styled using coordinating blue stripes and red checks by Solino Home for a fun patriotic look.

I love these new Nautilus Double Old-Fashion Glasses I recently got, and although they’re so luxurious for imbibing your favorite elixir this summer, I think they would also be fabulous as votive candle holders… stay tuned!

 

When I think of Clam Bake, I also associate it with summers spent in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, so of course lots of red, white and blue accents come to mind!

My favorite recipe includes clams, shrimp, potatoes and corn on the cob. I love how the top of this stoneware tureen features so many quintessential creatures and seashells.

 

This is what a yummy Italian dinner looks like on a glorious summer evening. These two serving pieces from Arthur Court Designs, and I'm totally obsessed! 

 

They're most definitely my "Summer Entertaining Essentials" Recipe for the Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, check out my recipe here.

 

In addition to the Chicken & Penne dish, I also prepared a little antipasto of Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Marinated Mini Mozzarella, and Marinated Olives, served with Italian breadsticks.

 

Can we talk about this gorgeous 3-Bowl Clam Server? Isn’t it so cute for summer? This is one of three beautiful coastal themed items I recently got from Arthur Court.

The warmer summer weather calls for something cool and refreshing to eat, that’s why I love indulging in fresh veggies and salads this time of year. Last weekend I put together a large platter of veggies on my new Arthur Court Chip and Dip Platter.  

It’s called the "Oyster with Pearl" Chip and Dip, not only is it perfect for chips and salsa, but it’s also just stunning as a crudité server. And it's large. These are full sized carrots pictured.

I simply choose some of my favorite veggies, scrubbed them really well, and arranged them by variety on the chip and dip bowl. The smaller “pearl” bowl is just the right size for holding my favorite Ranch Dip.

Check out my favorite homemade version of this delicious and luxuriously cool Ranch Dressing recipe here, and it just so happens to be paleo.

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

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one amazing pasta recipe and more!

Over the last week, I’ve really had an inkling for cooking and baking, so when I came across this recipe for Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, I thought I’d give it a go for dinner.

 

I just received this beautiful Pyrex Baking Dish with Shell Lid from Arthur Court, so it was the perfect time for trying out this Martha Stewart pasta casserole recipe.

 

It’s basically a creamy, cheesy, and utterly delicious sauce that whips up easily on the stove, and then you just add cooked chicken, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. Pop it in the oven, and let it cook for 25 minutes or so.

 

My family was head over heels about it, and one of my sons even rated it as a 10 out 10 in terms of taste out of all the pasta dishes I make, and I make a lot!

 

And even though pasta and cheese are out of my dietary realm, I couldn't help but have two tiny little bites, and I’m telling you… it was AH-mazing!

 

It’s not that hard to make, either. In fact, this recipe is enough to make two 3-quart casseroles. 

I halved the recipe, so I only made one, but next time I’ll be sure to make the whole recipe and freeze the extra one or bring it to a friend.

Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

 

A recipe from Martha Stewart

6 tablespoons butter, plus more for baking dishes

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 pound penne rigate

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (8 ounces each), halved horizontally

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

4 garlic cloves, minced

6 cups whole milk

10 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced

1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups shredded provolone (6 ounces)

1 cup finely grated Parmesan (4 ounces)

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400. Butter two shallow 2-quart baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta 3 minutes short of al dente; drain pasta, and return to pot.

 

Step 2

In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook until opaque throughout, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Halve each piece lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise.

 

Step 3

In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt butter over medium. Add flour and garlic; cook, whisking, 1 minute. While whisking, gradually add milk; bring to a simmer, whisking frequently. Add mushrooms and tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Off heat, gradually stir in provolone and 1/2 cup Parmesan.

 

Step 4

Add chicken and pasta to pot; season with salt and pepper. Divide pasta mixture between baking dishes; sprinkle each with 1/4 cup Parmesan.

Step 5

Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I garnished this with fresh cherry tomatoes that I cut in half and a few little sprigs of basil.

In addition to the Chicken & Penne dish, I also prepared a little antipasto of Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Marinated Mini Mozzarella, and Marinated Olives, served with Italian breadsticks.

 

Can we talk about this gorgeous 3-Bowl Clam Server? Isn’t it so cute for summer? This is one of three beautiful coastal themed items I recently got from Arthur Court.

 

I’m calling this trio my “Summer Entertaining Essentials”. I’ll share the third piece with you very soon. It’s called the Oyster with Pearl Chip and Dip, and it’s just as pretty as these two serving pieces I’m sharing with you here today.

 

Now here’s the lowdown on the antipasti:

 

Cherry Tomato Bruschetta – Place halved cherry tomatoes in a bowl and generously drizzle with olive oil. Add a clove or two of minced garlic, chopped basil and finish off with salt and pepper.

 

Marinated Mini Mozzarella- Mozzarella balls can be enhanced with the addition of a little bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. I used a little rosemary, thyme and oregano on these. Be sure to drain the mozzarella first. 

 

Marinated Olives – Bottled Greek, Italian or Spanish olives are the best to use for this. Drain all the liquid from the olives and then add flavorings of your choice. I used olive oil, ground fennel seeds, chopped oregano, minced garlic and little bit of lemon zest.

 

I hope you’ll check back again soon because I’ll have another yummy recipe to share with you, in addition to a few beautiful summer tablescapes that are easy to duplicate.

 

 

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

Shopping info:

 

Pyrex Baking Dish with Shell Lid

3-Bowl Clam Server

Maison d’Hermine Napkins

Best Italian Breadsticks

Really Good Olives

White Starfish

 

 

 

 

 For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.