3-Star Italian, From Your Computer

Photo by Fast Forward Event Productions/FlickrCC

I've been invited to a party at Le Calandre, in Sarmela di Rubano, between Padova and Vicenza, to present the newly remodeled restaurant and Massimiliano Alajmo's new menu to the press. He's my favorite chef in Italy and I can't wait to see what he and his brother Raf are up to. They've totally changed three-star dining, eliminating formality in favor of comfort, and designing tables, glassware, and lighting (made by local artisans) with the same obsession that Massimiliano brings to ingredients in his kitchen. The ambiance reflects the lightness of his cuisine.

I'd like to invite readers to attend the virtual version of the party. You won't get to taste, but you can watch the action on the website, where they'll be live-streaming the event for 30 minutes. Click here at 2:30 PM Eastern Standard Time today (8:30 PM in Italy) to check out the scene. I'll be wearing my Piero della Francesca hat. And I've set up an exclusive live interview for the Food Channel in Massimiliano's kitchen. It should be fun. See you soon.