BELLINO Beat TUCCI in VENICE 1995

 

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

At All'ARCO WINE BAR (Bacaro)

VENICE

"EXPLORING VENICE"

BELLINO BEAT TUCCI

Bellino 1st discovered the Venetian wine bar All'ARCO, & Cichetti in 1995, on his exploratory trip of Cichetti and the wine bars of Venice. Daniel says, that it fact, it was the 1st bacaro (Ventian Wine Bar) that he ever went to at all. He was on his way to check into his hotel (Albergho Guerratto) when he stumbled upon it. He walked in and asked the guys behind the bar, "Hi! Do you. serve Cichetti?" Daniel said he was treated warmly, and they said, "Yes, of course. Would you like some." Yes please, Daniel replied. They first gave him one of the most obscure of all cichetti items. "What is this," Daniel asked. They replied "Nerveti. Nerve, Nerve." Daniel knew what they meant. "OK," and so he tried it. He had a a glass of Tocai, and they gave him some Baccala Montecato (shipped Salt Cod), the most popular cichetti of all. Daniel said, he had been reading about Musetto (Pif Snote Sausage), and he wanted to try it. He asked the barman if he had some. They did, and so he had some Mussetto as well.

Daniel paid his bill and was on his way. A few minutes later he checked into his hotel, and in the next 9 days, he would check out every bacaro (wine bar) in Venice, eating Cichetti, drinking local wines of the Friuli and the Veneto, chatting with proprietors and locals, and fellow customers. Daniel had a wonderful time, and learned all about the wine bars (bacaari) of Venice, how they ran, the food and wines served, and local customs.

All'ARCO WINE BAR

VENICE, ITALY

"BELLINO BEAT TUCCI" - To many Italian discoveries in Italy. 

And Vice Versa Bellino admits.

"Bellino Beat Tucci," refers to the ongoing playful feud and marketing gimmick by author and chef Daniel Bellino Z (Daniel Bellino-Zwicke). He has famously used the slogan "I Beat Out Stanley Tucci" to promote his bestselling Italian food, cooking, and travel books. [1, 2, 3]

The phrase stems from a few specific "wins" Bellino claims to have over Tucci:

• The Venice Wine Bar Claim: Bellino claims he beat Stanley Tucci in discovering the famous Venetian wine bar, All'Arco, by nearly 30 years, as he visited and wrote about it long before Tucci's travel shows popularized it. [1]
• The Recipe Claims: Bellino frequently points out in his book promotions that his Amazon Author Page features beloved Italian classics, such as Spaghetti Nerano and Pasta Primavera, beating Tucci to the punch for recipe accuracy and popularity. [1, 2]

For a quick look at Daniel Bellino Z and his books covering the same culinary ground as Stanley Tucci:

• Learn more about his Venetian discoveries on Instagram.
• View his collection of works on his official website Daniel-Bellino-Zwicke.com

BOOKS by BELLINO AMAZON.com

DANIEL BELLINO Z - Amazon Authors Page

BELLINO'S LATEST BOOK

EXPLORING VENICE

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

AMAZON.com

 

all' ARCO

VENICE

"WHERE BELLINO Beat TUCCI"

all ARCO

VENETIAN CICCHETTI

STANLEY TUCCI'S FAVORITE

"But Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE Discovered it almost 30 YEARS Before TUCCI"

Daniel Bellino Zwicke discovered all ARCO in 1995. He read an article in the New York Times

about the Wine Bars (Bacari) and Cichetti of Venice, and was inspired. He wanted to open one

in NEW YORK. So Daniel booked a flight to VENICE, flew over, and over a 9 period he Explored the WINE BARS of VENICE. Just before people started getting on the Internet, and 20 Years before INSTAGRAM which informed the World of Bacari, Venetian Wine Bars and CICCHETTI, some 20 years after Daniel Bellin Z, who opened America's 1st Ever VENETIAN  WINE BAR "BAR ICHETTI" in NEW YORK'S Greenwich Village, where Danie was Bar Cichetti's CHEF< Wine Director and Managing Partner. The rest is History. And don't forget BELLINO Beat TUCCI, as far as Informing the people of the World of the existence of all ARCO and their wonderful Cichetti.

"BASTA" !!!

Note : There is no one correct spelling for Cichetti, which even in VENICE you will see it written several different was, including : CICHETTI, Cicchetti, and Cicheti. 

all' ARCO

"WHERE BELLINO Beat TUCCI"

VENETIAN CICCHETTI

STANLEY TUCCI'S FAVORITE

"But Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE Discovered it 20 YEARS Before TUCCI"

Daniel Bellino Zwicke discovered all ARCO in 1995. He read an article in the New York Times

about the Wine Bars (Bacari) and Cichetti of Venice, and was inspired. He wanted to open one

in NEW YORK. So Daniel booked a flight to VENICE, flew over, and over a 9 period he Explored the WINE BARS of VENICE. Just before people started getting on the Internet, and 20 Years before INSTAGRAM which informed the World of Bacari, Venetian Wine Bars and CICCHETTI, some 20 years after Daniel Bellin Z, who opened America's 1st Ever VENETIAN  WINE BAR "BAR ICHETTI" in NEW YORK'S Greenwich Village, where Danie was Bar Cichetti's CHEF< Wine Director and Managing Partner. The rest is History. And don't forget BELLINO Beat TUCCI, as far as Informing the people of the World of the existence of all ARCO and their wonderful Cichetti.

"BASTA" !!!

Note : There is no one correct spelling for Cichetti, which even in VENICE you will see it written several different was, including : CICHETTI, Cicchetti, and Cicheti. 

VINO e CICHETTI

Where "BELLINO Beat TUCCI"

all' ARCO

Photo by Daniel Bellino Zwicke - 1995

VENICE, ITALY

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

At OSTERIA ALL'ARCO

1995

VENICE, ITALY

"28 YEARS BEFORE TUCCI"

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

BOOK by DANIEL AMAZON.com

DANIEL'S Plate of MUSETTO 

And BACCALA MONTECATO

all'ARCO 2026

ALL' ARCO

STANLEY TUCCI at All'ARCO

28 YEARS AFTER BELLINO

All'ARCO

VENICE, ITALY

ALL'ARCO

VENICE

CICCHETTI

STANLEY TUCCI at all'ARCO

VENICE - 2023

"EATING CICHETTI"

BELLINO Beat TUCCI by 28 YEARS - at all'Arco 1995

AMERICA'S 1st EVER BACARO

VENETIAN WINE BAR

BAR CICHETTI 

AMERICA'S 1st VENETIAN WINE BAR (Bacaro)

Created by Daniel Bellino-Zwicke & Tom Taraci

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

In front of his Hotel in VENICE

ALBERGHO GUERATTO

"JUST MINUTES After DISCOVERY ALL' ARCO"

VENETIAN WINE BAR

VENICE - 19915

READ ABOUT VENICE

CICCHETTI & VENETIAN WINE BARS

In "ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVELS"

ROME VENICE PIZZA PASTA & ?

TRAVEL GUIDE -COOKBOOK

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

EXPLORING VENICE

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

WINE BARS - RESTAURANTS - HOTELS

CASANOVA - VIVALDI - GIUSEPPE CIPRIANI

With 40 RECIPES of VENICE'S FAVORITE DISHES

by Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

BACK at all'ARCO

Author DANIEL BELLINO

VENICE , ITALY

2026

Aperol Spritz Recipe

 

The APEROL SPRITZ

The APEROL SPRITZ

"A Brief History"

Often described as an Italian sunset in a glass, the Aperol Spritz originated in the city of Padua and has become one of the most famous cocktails from Italy. The Aperol liqueur became a beloved apéritif in Padua and out of its rising popularity the Aperol Spritz was born during the chic 1950s in Northern Italy. 

In 1919, Luigi and Silvio Barbieri created Padua’s famous Aperol and as this bitter apéritif rose to fame, so did experimentation. During the 1950s, Veneto was at the peak of chic fashion and gastronomic delicacies, allowing the optimum moment for the Aperol Spritz to enter Paduan society. 

Spritz is a form of cocktail as opposed to a singular drink, the term originates from the German Spritzen. The origin of the Spritz dates back to the 19th-century when the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s owned the region. When Austro-Hungarian soldiers first tasted Italian wines, they found them too strong for their taste and subsequently spritzed their glasses with water to dilute the flavor. 

The years leading up to the 1950s saw rigorous advertising of the Barbieris’ apéritif, resulting in Aperol taking over Campari in popularity. Following a TV advert displaying the Aperol Spritz’s recipe, the cocktail soon rose to fame as a luxe drink for lunchtime aperitivo and summer evenings. By early 2003, the Campari Group had purchased Aperol and marketed the Spritz as a cocktail for the trendy and fashionable members of Venetian society. 

The beauty of the Aperol Spritz lies in the simplicity of its ingredients, which extracts the quality of each native component. The foundation of this cocktail is Aperol from Padua, with Veneto’s adored Prosecco and chilled soda. The Aperol’s vibrant orange hue is slightly diluted with sparkling wine, painting the Spritz with a softer sunset glow perfect for summer evenings. 

HOW to Make an APEROL SPRITZ

APEROL SPRITZ - Recipe :

3 ounces Prosecco

2 ounce Aperol

1 ounce Club Soda

ICE

1 Orange Slice

Fill a Wine Glass 3/4 full with Ice. Add the Aperol, then the Prosecco, and the Club Soda last. Give a little stir, and add the Orange slice. Add a straw and serve.

Enjoy !!!

POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

COOKBOOK - TRAVEL GUIDE

100 REGIONAL RECIPES

NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST

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GUIDE to PROCIDA

 

Procida

Procida is one of the Flegrean Islands off the coast of Naples in southern Italy. The island is between Cape Miseno and the island of Ischia. With its tiny satellite island of Vivara, it is a comune of the Metropolitan City of Naples, in the region of Campania.

If you're a veteran of the Amalfi Coast and the nearby Islands and you've never been to Procida, you just may want to give it a shot someday? 

Procida, a tiny spot of land in the Bay of Naples, might be best known as the island between  Ischia and Capri. But in late January, it was named Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2022, beating nine other candidates—a mix of cities and small towns—and becoming the first island to ever be granted the title.

Under two square miles in total, the island has mostly flown under the tourist radar (except in July and August, when many Neapolitans come here for their summer vacations), overshadowed by its better-known siblings. This is all despite its big-screen moments—Procida has served as the set of The Talented Mr. Ripley and Il Postino—and the fact that it features the same pastel houses, cafes-lined marinas, and narrow streets as its bigger counterparts, but also historic sites, wild nature, and near-empty beaches.

PROCIDA

The PORT

HOW to GET THERE

Procida lies 14 miles off the coast of Naples. There are daily ferries and hydrofoils leaving from two of the city’s piers, Molo Beverello and Porta di Massa, as well as from Pozzuoli, just north of Naples. Depending on the ride—the faster hydrofoil or the slower ferry—you’ll get to the island in 40 minutes to 1 hour. You can also travel from Ischia—that’s a 15- to 25-minute journey.

WHAT to SEE

Arriving at Marina Grande, Procida’s main tourist port, you’ll see a cluster of traditional houses along the waterfront, each one painted in vivid shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and blue—traditionally a way for fishermen to identify them from their boats.

Via Roma, Procida’s main street, is right around the corner from the port, and a good spot for lunch—especially at La Medusa, which has been around since 1954. Before you move on, stop for an espresso at Bar Roma and make sure to order lingua di suocera (‘mother-in-law’s tongue’), Procida’s traditional puff pastry filled with lemon custard. Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà, an 18th-century church with an iconic baroque belfry, and the lemon-yellow church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built in 1679, are also nearby and worth a visit.

From here, it’s a 15-minute walk uphill (then downhill) to Marina Corricella, Procida’s oldest fishing village. Only reachable on foot or by boat, the area is one of the best places to stay for a taste of slow island living, and is full of restaurants—Caracale, La Lampara, Il Pescatore, to name a few—gelato shops like Chiaro di Luna, and bars.

At the opposite end of the island, Marina Chiaiolella is another fishing village with great eateries (try Da Mariano and Lido Vivara), craft boutiques, and old-school bakeries—not to mention access to one of the island’s most popular beaches, spiaggia della Chiaiolella, known for its sunsets.

Terra Murata, the fortified medieval stronghold at the highest and northernmost tip of the island, is another highlight. A tumble of skinny lanes and crumbling houses, this is Procida’s most historical center, home to Abbazia San Michele Arcangelo, which honors Procida’s patron saint, and Palazzo D’Avalos, a 16th-century palace that was the former residence of the island’s governing family. In 1830 the building was converted into a prison that eventually closed in 1988. Two viewpoints here offer the island’s most panoramic vistas: Corricella in all its candy-colored glory to the west; and the Gulf of Naples, with Capri in the distance, to the east.

Village of Corrocella

On the opposite coast from Marina Grande, in the southern part of the island, there here is a place that no guide on “what to see in Procida” will ever forget.

The seaside village of Corricella is simply suggestive and lively at the same time. It is the classic fishermen village animated by bars, restaurants and small craft shops where you can buy the most typical souvenirs, which anyone who comes to Procida cannot avoid to love and photograph.

Here you can stroll among the fishermen’s nets, admiring the very old colourful houses and deeply breathing the sea in the air.

The BEACHES

Among Procida’s most scenic beaches are Pozzo Vecchio, whose black sands were made famous in Il Postino; spiaggia Chiaia, to the east, which overlooks Ischia and features clear, shallow waters and a backdrop of rocky cliffs (plus the excellent seafood restaurant La Conchiglia); and Ciraccio, the longest and most secluded. Further down, the spiaggia della Chiaiolella is another gem, though slightly more frequented, especially in the late afternoon, when its stabilimenti (beach clubs with rows of sunbeds and umbrellas) start rolling out aperitivo.

Chiaiolella Beach

Procida

Procida Lemons

WHAT to EAT

Spaghetti alla Pescatora Povera - Recipe

This “poor” version of seafood spaghetti contains just anchovies, cherry tomatoes, and a dusting of Pecorino Cheese.

Luveri al sale

The waters of Procida abound with Pagello fish, which locals call luvero. The most popular way to cook this sea bream is in a salt crust (al sale) with some herbs.

Coniglio alla Procidana

In addition to the sea, locals have also sourced food from the island’s terroir. Procida, like Ischia, has a signature rabbit dish, usually prepared with cherry tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, and white wine.

Calamari Ripieni

Recipes vary, but the Procidani usually slip anchovies into their filling for stuffed squid.

Pizza di Procida

As Procida is just a 40-minute ferry ride from Naples, it should come as no surprise that the island's pizzaioli emulate the wood-fired style of the world's pizza capital.

Tortano con i carciofi

Especially popular around Easter, this savory bread is stuffed with artichokes and, at times, sausage.

Spaghetti ai ricci di mare

Creamy and briny, sea urchin has a particular taste, one that fuses nicely with spaghetti when sautéed with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and a hint of lemon.

Lingue di Procida

Procida is famous for its lemons, which are larger and sweeter than other varieties. The Procidani prepare them in dozens of sweet and savory recipes, and a signature dolce is the Lingue di Procida, or tongues of Procida, lemon-flavored, cream-filled pastries.

L’insalata di limone

Speaking of lemons, the lemon salad with mint, garlic, crushed red chili pepper, garlic and olive oil makes for an airy, refreshing start to any meal.

A Typical Procida Lunch

Fried Anchovies & a Glass of Local Wine

Recipes

BOOKING.com

WHERE to STAY

The San Michele in Corricella, has 12 tastefully decorated rooms done in earthy tones and minimalist design. A similar aesthetic is found in its slightly bigger sister property La Suite, a stylish accommodation near Ciraccio that comes with a pool, a garden, and striking views.

In Chiaiolella, the three-star Hotel Ristorante Crescenzo is a popular choice not just for its simple, brightly colored rooms but its pizzeria, one of the most famous in Procida. La Vigna in a beautifully restored farmstead within a vineyard that overlooks the Bay of Naples, delivers charm and tranquility.

CALACAL

ROOMS & FARM EXPERIENCE

PROCIDA

CALACALA FARM EXPERIENCE

FIND a ROOM on PROCIDA

BOOKING.com

MOVIES SHOT on PROCIDA

IL POSITANO

Starring : Massimo TRoisi

And Maria Grazia Cucinotto

Shot in the Village of Corocella

On The Isle of Procida

Also

The TALENTED Mr. RIPLEY

The Talented Mr. Ripley

Strarring :  Matt Damon

Gwyneth Palthrow & Jude Law

READ MORE

MOVIES SHOT on PROCIDA

NAPLES & The AMALFI COAST

POSITANO THE AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE / COOKBOOK

SORRENTO CAPRI NAPLES

ISCHIA PROCIDA RAVELLO

AMAZON.com