Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic journey!

When the ICI Board of Directors learned of this Louisville Orchestra Pops Concert featuring Rick Steves, we immediately chose this for our November event and arranged with the LO’s Membership and Patron office to hold 30 group-rate tickets for ICI through October 1, after which they will go on sale to the public for the regular price. These tickets for ICI priced at $44.25 each (a 15% discount with no added fees) are for excellent seating in the Orchestra Front Right on Rows P and Q, seats 41-55. Conveniently purchase your tickets using your credit card by phoning the Louisville Orchestra office directly. (Normally there is an additional fee of 12% for this direct purchase which has been generously waived for ICI.) All tickets are non-refundable.

These tickets are available NOW for purchase only through October 1 by ICI members and any of our welcome guests at ICI events who regularly receive our email announcements. Everyone please limit your purchase to one seat plus one guest.

Phone the Louisville Orchestra office directly to buy your tickets: 502-587-8681. Office hours: M-F, 9am-5pm.

Why not make a night of it with a pre-theater dinner at Vincenzo’s restaurant just across the street from the Kentucky Center! Note: ICI will not organize a dinner for this event. Be sure to phone Vincenzo’s directly to reserve. Vincenzo’s: 502-580-1350 or go to vincenzositalianrestaurant.com to reserve online.

ICI has once again “set the table” for one of our most popular events, the Progressive Dinner, at two of Louisville’s premier Italian restaurants.

We’ll first meet at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, at DiFabio’s (2311 Frankfort Ave.) for an appetizer plate of bruschetta, arancini, stuffed mushroom, and a meatball. A glass of red or white wine is included.

Then we’ll stroll across the street to the private dining room at Volare Italian Ristorante (2300 Frankfort Ave.) for your choice of entrée, a glass of red or white wine, and Tiramisu.

The cost is $105 per person, inclusive of appetizer, entrée, dessert, two glasses of wine (one at each restaurant), and gratuities. Optional cocktails may be purchased at time of event.

Itinerary + Details:

Stop 1: Meet at DiFabio’s at 5:30 p.m.
2311 Frankfort Ave
Antipasti and glass of wine included.

Stop 2: Secondo and Dolce at Volare
2300 Frankfort Avenue
Your choice entrée, glass of wine, and Tiramisu included.

• RAVIOLI VODKA: House made ricotta ravioli, sweet green peas in a creamy tomato vodka sauce

• LASAGNA AL FORNO: Sixteen layers of spinach pasta baked with pork, beef, mozzarella, plum tomatoes, basil, and ricotta

• SALTIMBOCCA DE VITELLO: Veal sautéed with prosciutto, sage, and mozzarella in a white wine butter sauce

• FILETTO DI SALMONE: Cast iron seared Faroe Islands sustainable salmon with a lemon dill compound butter and marinated bell peppers, served over a carrot puree and braised savoy cabbage

• PARMIGIANA DI POLLO: Chicken parmesan Lightly breaded and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, served with pasta marinara

Mmmm, deliziosa!

RSVP by September 20, 2024 as seating is limited. We look forward to seeing you!

Please consider getting a Lyft/Uber home.

The Terracotta dog Film & Discussion

The Italian Cultural Institute of Louisville invites you and family and friends to view an Italian movie, The Mystery of the Terra Cotta Dog, on Sunday, August 18 in the Chao Auditorium of the University of Louisville Library. The movie will have English sub-titles. It is 1 hour and 42 minutes long and will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m.. We hope that people who want to discuss the movie will join us afterward at nearby restaurant BoomBozz Craft Pizza and Tap House on Bardstown Road, right by Eastern Parkway. (No charge for the movie, but you are responsible for your food and drink at BoomBozz.)

The movie is an episode in the extremely popular television series Detective Montalbano, starring Luca Zingaretti, all of them based on the international best-selling mysteries of the Sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri. It has a plot within a plot. The case begins with the “capture” of an old Mafioso, whose dying words lead Montalbano to an illegal arms cache in a mountain cave, where he also discovers the remains of two young lovers, dead for fifty years and still embracing, watched over by a life-sized terra cotta dog. The full story of that is unforgettable.

Please RSVP by Monday, August 12. See you there!

A Tour Guided by head curator, Dr. Bell, fellow Italophile

We are happy to announce that the Italian Cultural Institute has scheduled a tour of the Cincinnati Art Museum for Saturday, July 13, starting promptly at 2 pm. The museum’s head Curator, Doctor Peter Jonathan Bell, has kindly agreed to lead our tour. Doctor Bell is known in America for his work on Italian Renaissance and Baroque Art. Before coming to Cincinnati, Doctor Bell was a curator in the Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is an ardent Italophile.

The tour is $15 for each individual. 

The museum has a snack bar and a pleasant restaurant, both open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. (The museum opens at 11:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm.) The museum website is excellent, and should answer your immediate questions. There will be no admission charge, and parking is free. If you need a ride, ICI will try to help.

If at all possible, please make your reservations immediately as the ICI expects a strong demand for places on this tour and we will need to give the museum the list of reserved places by July 3.

We hope to see you in Cincinnati!

A Delightful Dinner at Delizie Italiane on June 14!

Ciao a tutti (hello everyone)! Mark your calendar now for dinner at 6:30 pm on Friday, June 14 and reserve for a delightful evening together at Delizie Italiane just up the road in Buckner, KY. This lovely little hidden gem owned by native Italian and chef Sandra Gugliotta has become a destination restaurant near Louisville for delicious autentica cucina italiana (authentic Italian cuisine).

The menu for this private ICI dinner will include a choice from each of these categories: a salad, an entrée, and a dessert. All pasta is housemade, as are other authentic offerings. Included also are non-alcoholic beverages of your choice. Wine glasses will be available for you to “bring your own bottle.” (No alcohol is sold at the venue.)

Primi:

Gamberi (shrimp) al insalata

Insalate caprese

Insalata del Orto (mixed salad)

Secondi:

Pappardelle con granchio (crabmeat) al limone

Tortellini con panna e piselli (prosciutto and peas)

Lasagne (ragu di carne)

Carre’ di maiale (pork) di arrosto

Dolci:

Tiramisu

Torta caprese cioccolata fondente and mandorle (chocolate and almond cake with whipped cream)

The all-inclusive cost (fees, tax, and 20% gratuity) of this dinner per person is $86.00. Click here to reserve and pay by credit card. No food choice is required when reserving; you will choose when arriving for dinner. RSVP deadline is Monday, June 10.

The restaurant is located at: 4300 KY Hwy-146, Buckner KY. This is only a 20 minute drive from Louisville on I-71 N to exit 17. Turn left onto KY-146 E/Lagrange Rd. In 2 minutes you’ll arrive at Delizie Italiane on the right (located in the historic former train station). There is parking beside the building.

We invite you to Google this restaurant and take a look at the Facebook page for photos and details of the above food offerings.

See you soon at Delizie Italiane! Invite your friends to come along!

Join ICI for a truly delightful evening at ROC Restaurant, 1327 Bardstown Road.

We will enjoy delicious Italian cuisine along with a presentation by owner and chef Rocco Cadolini as he recounts his history as a restauranteur in NYC and now at ROC in Louisville. Come for the evening “dressed like an Italian” whether you choose from your Armani closet or the Godfather one (optional but divertente...fun!).

The cost of $82.50 per person will include a salad, choice of entree, and dessert, along with tax and tip. Any drinks will be purchased separately. Please sign up now and indicate your choice of entrée. The deadline to RSVP is April 14.

ROC Dinner Menu

Appetizer:

MISTICANZA of Fresh Greens with shallot-mustard dressing

Choice of Entrée (five options): 

PENNE ALLA VODKA with vegetables

RIGATONI BOLOGNESE with meat sauce

MERLUZZO AL LIMONE - codfish filet with lemon sauce and wilted spinach

PETTO DI POLLO CON FUNGHI – chicken breast with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes

LOMBATA DI MAIALE PARMIGIANA – pork chop parmigiana with broccoli

Dolce:

TRADITIONAL TIRAMISU made with mascarpone cream, lady fingers, and espresso

Join us for a wine-pairing event Wednesday, March 20!

This event Includes Italian appetizers (antipasti) with wine pairings from various regions of Italy to complement the food. Sommelier John Johnson will present specific details relative to each wine, including describing specific grapes and qualities that make each wine distinctive and characteristic.

The cost is $55 per person and all are welcome to attend—so invite your friends and family! Please RSVP by Friday, March 15.

Ci vediamo, See you there!

Dear Friends of Louisville's ICI,

The weather and the ICI go on. ICI is a good bit warmer. Everyone is welcome to an impromptu gathering at Caffe Classico on Tuesday, February 6, at 6:00 PM. We want to be together to thank Adrian Pellegrini for his leadership and planning as President of ICI. He is stepping down, and it will not be easy to replace him, but let’s be together to remember all he has done. It will also be a good time to talk about what we would like to see in future programs, and generally to just “catch up.”  

We will order individually from the menu at Caffe Classico. Please make room in your schedule for Tuesday, February 6th at 6:00 PM at Caffe Classico, and please register on this site, so that we can tell the restaurant who all is coming.  We are all looking forward to a special evening.

Your ICI 2024 ICI Board

*Please remember that ICI dues for 2024 are now due and that your dues make events and programs possible.

ICI Louisville invites you to our year-end celebration!

Please join us at the Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen for a holiday dinner. This year's celebration will be a wonderful dinner with some dancing and a presentation about Italian Wedding traditions and how they differ from American weddings.

The price of $100.00 per person includes a wonderful dinner, two drink tickets*, tax, tip, dancing, and beautiful setting.

*Any additional drinks are available on a CASH basis at the bar. No credit cards will be accepted. As always, please drink responsibly.

MENU

Appetizers & Cocktails

Arancini: Risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella cheese and gently fried

Bruschetta: Toasted Italian bread with diced Roma tomato, cilantro, and Italian spices

Soup

Italian Wedding Soup: A hearty soup with beef and pork meatballs, tender greens, and delicate pasta

Buffet Dinner

Caprese Salad

Caesar Salad

Roasted Herb Potatoes

Roasted Zucchini and Squash

Roasted Asparagus

Seared Chicken with Fennel and Golden Raisins

Branzino Piccata: Mediterranean Sea Bass with a light sauce of Pino Grigio, butter, lemon, and capers

Dessert

Millefoglie: “Thousand Layers” of puff pastry and Italian Cream

We hope to suspend reality for an evening and have a festive and light-hearted celebration of the new year (and hope) to come.

ICI Louisville is pleased to bring back the popular Italian Progressive Dinner!

Cost is $147.50 per person, including tax and gratuity. Any additional requests will be made at the guest's expense. 36 seats are available on the trolley. We cannot accept same-day sign-up or payment so please RSVP beforehand by Sunday, October 15.

Here’s what’s included:
Itinerary + Details:

Stop 1: Meet at ICI President's Home at 5:00 p.m.
Crescent Hill, (address to come later) 
Antipasti and Prosecco included. Trolley will leave around 6:15 p.m.

Stop 2: Primo at Volare (arrive around 6:30 p.m.)
2300 Frankfort Avenue
Your choice one pasta dish and glass of wine

• Gemelli Pasta with Vodka Sauce: house made gemelli pasta with sweet green peas in a creamy tomato vodka sauce

• Pappardelle alla Boscaiola: house made pappardelle pasta tossed with sautéed mushrooms, bacon and a demi-glace cream sauce

Stop 3: Secondo at Porcini (arrive around 7:30 p.m.)
2730 Frankfort Avenue

Your choice one entrée and glass of wine

• Salmone alla Griglia: fresh grilled salmon, honey and blood orange glaze with bed of Tuscan beans, pancetta, sautéed spinach, cherry tomato, and roasted garlic

• Pollo Al Marsala: sautéed chicken breast, Marsala wine sauce, mushrooms, mashed potatoes, and fresh vegetable 

Stop 4: Dolce e Caffé at ICI President's Home (arrive around 9:00 p.m.)
Crescent Hill, (address to come later) 
Light desserts and coffee included. 

Please consider getting a Lyft/Uber home.

We look forward to seeing you!

<<This event is sold out>>

Come join us at The Wine Rack for a wonderful evening tasting Italian beverages (and pizza)!

John Johnson will be leading tastings of 5 important Italian beverages. This will include samples of and information about Amaro, Vermouth, Sambuca, the Negroni and the Aperol Spritz. Also included will be charcuterie, Italian of course. The price is $22.50 per person, for the samples and Italian charcuterie.

After the sampling, we plan to migrate next door to Parlour for pizza, to continue the fun. Note there will be separate checks here. Please let us know if you plan to join us for pizza so we can make a reservation ahead of time.

Limited to 30 spots due to space constraints at The Wine Rack.

Craving Italy? Join us for a Grand Tour of Italian Art at the Speed Art Museum, led by our intrepid tour guide and fellow member, Jessica Schumacher, followed by “un bel pranzo” by Wiltshire at the Speed.

The price is $52.50 for both the art tour and lunch. The luncheon includes a Grilled Chicken Antipasto Salad Platter, Olive Oil Cake with Rosemary and Orange Zest and a beverage. Prosecco and Wine will be offered individually for an additional cost.

While the Tour starts at 12:15 pm, we encourage members to arrive at Noon to get settled for a short pre-tour presentation. Please gather around the Italian tour flag between the first-floor elevators to proceed to the presentation and the start of the tour. Follow the flag!

Limited to 24 spots.

The Kitchen Theater at Paristown Cafe is inviting ICI members to attend its May 21st episode taping (and tasting) of Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs, featuring Italian chefs and Italian dishes.

Chef Rocco of ROC will be one of the featured chefs, with another to be named. Both chefs will cook with Tim Laird, America’s Chef Entertaining Officer and Kevin Harned, WAVE 3 TV Chief Meteorologist.

The price of $85 per person includes a a champagne cocktail meet-and-greet and the opportunity to sample the food the Kentucky chefs have prepared, at the conclusion of the show. Additional beverages will be available for purchase.

*In order to be seated with fellow ICI members, please add "ICI Member" after your name, in the name box, when you register so the organizers know you are a part of the ICI group. 

Tickets must be purchased directly from the Kitchen Theater at this website: https://mintjuleptours.com/book-a-tour/our-tours/secrets-bluegrass-chefs/

You will need to scroll down the event page to click on the green "GET TICKETS" button. In the pop up, scroll through the calendar to find May 21, select the 4 p.m. time slot below the calendar, and follow the prompts to complete payment.

ICI welcomes archeologist Dr. John R. Hale to River House to present on ancient Rome.

The price will be $10 per person. Outside an honorarium going toward Dr. Hale, proceeds will go towards our scholarship fund for students studying abroad in Italy.

While the lecture starts at 6 p.m., we encourage members to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to enjoy a beverage of choice from the open bar and get seated ahead of time. There should be time after the talk to ask questions and meet with one another.

SIGN-UPS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.

ICI Louisville invites you to join us in celebrating our 2022 scholarship recipient, Sarah Dabbagh, as she shares her experience studying abroad in Italy this past summer.

The luncheon will take place at Vincenzo’s, Saturday, February 11, at noon.

The price of $55 per person includes a salad, entrée, and dessert, as well as covers tax and tip. Alcohol will not be available.

Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will go toward funding this year’s scholarship.

The Italian Cultural Institute of Louisville is a non-profit that has offered numerous scholarships over the years supporting local students who wish to engage in Italian culture. Applicants must be enrolled in a college or university within the Louisville metropolitan area or contiguous counties, and share their experience with the ICI organization upon their return. We are currently gathering funds for the next prospective recipients.

MENU

Salad

Caesar Salad

Agostino’s Salad: baby lettuces with gorgonzola, tomato, cucumber, and balsamic

Entrée

Tortellini Buddeke: pasta dumplings with peas in a tomato cream sauce

Chicken Marsala: chicken sautéed in a Marsala wine sauce with fresh mushrooms and tomatoes

Crepes Agostino: ground beef and veal blend wrapped in a crepe with bechamel and marinara

Dessert

White Chocolate Mousse Torte with Raspberry Sauce

Tiramisu with Crème Anglaise

RSVP by Sunday, February 5th, midnight.

ICI’s popular Italian language lessons are back for 2023. These ten classes will be taught via Zoom just in time for visiting Italy in the spring!

Saturday mornings from 10:30 am – 12 noon

• January 7, 14, 21, 28

• February 4, 11, 18, 25

• March 4, 11

Fee per student: $150.00

Class format: For study before each class, teacher Francesca Reggiani* will email to the students, for printing at home, the material to be taught during that session. During class, there will be teacher and student interaction along with PowerPoint and other pertinent presentations.

Classes are open to everyone, including nonmembers, for a maximum of 20 students. The deadline for cancellation with refund will be January 4th.

To register, you may pay online by credit card. Also, please provide your email and cell number as your contact information for Francesca.

If you need further information, please email me:

Donna McCoy, ICI coordinator, Italian for Travelers

donna.mccoy52@gmail.com

We’re excited to have you participate with ICI in these fun and excellent classes for travel in Italy!  

*Francesca lives in Louisville but is a native of Mantova Italy. She is delightful, fun, and passionate about teaching the Italian language and culture and has a degree in foreign languages and literature from the University of Parma and a master’s degree in teaching the Italian language and literature from the University of Siena. You’ll love learning from her!

BENVENUTI!

ICI Louisville invites you to our year-end celebration!

Please join us at the Big Spring Country Club (Dutchmans Lane campus) for a holiday dinner, accompanied by the Trio Louisville, a violin and cello trio playing Italian and holiday pieces. The trio will begin playing at 7 p.m. and there is free parking in the rear.

Members are welcome to bring holiday Italian cookies or light dolce (and any stories they may have behind them) to share.

The price of $98.75 per person includes a fine Italian buffet dinner, two drink tickets*, tax, tip, concert, and beautiful setting.

*Any additional drinks are available on a CASH basis at the bar. No credit cards will be accepted. As always, please drink responsibly.

MENU

Prosecco & Aperitivo

Crostini of nduja and marinated tomatoes and arugula

Antipasti

Traditional antipasti platter with cured meats, cheese, olives, peppers, and marinated artichokes

Primo

Salad with olives, red onion, pepperoncini, tomatoes, tossed with a red wine vinaigrette

Pasta alla Gricia—Tagliatelle, guanicale, black pepper, grated pecorino

Shrimp Fra Diavolo—spaghetti, shrimp, spicy red sauce

Secondo

Slow braised pork shanks in a rich sauce of red wine, rosemary, and jus from the pork, and served with a creamy parmesan polenta

Broiled Branzini with lemon and parsely and garnished with fried capers

Contorno

Eggplant Rollatini—Eggplant stuffed with ricotta and parmesan cheese, lightly breaded and fried then covered with a light pommodoro sauce

Acciugata Di Renato over grilled vegetables

Dolce

Members are asked to bring holiday Italian cookies or light dolce, to share

Join ICI Louisville for pizza an a presentation on Why Sicily and Southern Italy Should be Your Next Trip (and How to Plan for It)!

On November 9, ICI Louisville President Adrian Pellegrini will present the region’s attractions and ICI Board Members Jo Rouse and Anitya Marlowe will share tips and tricks in trip planning, at Coals Artisan Pizza in Middletown.

Price is $24 per person, including pizza, salad buffet, and presentation. Drinks are not included and will be at attendees’ expense.

Note: After you add your tickets to the cart, click on the shopping cart icon at the upper right of the screen, and follow the prompts to complete check-out,.

*THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT*

ICI Louisville has reserved tickets on the Mary M. Miller riverboat, where a lecture on Italian Contributions to the Age of Discovery will be given by ICI Board Member Arthur Rouse:

In honor of Columbus Day (since 1937 still a federal holiday) he will be giving an approximate 30-40 minute presentation focused on the period between 1492 and 1565, including a backdrop of political and cultural circumstances extant in western Europe at that time, identification of and dates for principal explorations during that period, and some details not only about Columbus, but also the significant contributions of several other perhaps less celebrated Italians.

Price is $45 per person, including riverboat admission, food, and the lecture. *No drinks are included, but soft drinks are $2.50 and a bar (beer and wine) is also on board.

Please RSVP by Friday, September 23rd. (Meals will be pre-selected after September 23rd.)

Included in the lunch food:

• Full wrap of choice (1 per guest):

  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap: Baked Chicken, Romaine Lettuce, Bacon, Ranch, Parmesan Cheese and Tortilla

  • Buffalo Chicken Wrap: Chicken Tender, Romaine Lettuce, Blue Cheese, Buffalo Mayo and Tortilla

  • BLT Wrap: Bacon, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Mayo, and Tortilla

  • Avocado Veggie Wrap: Avocado, Romaine Lettuce, Spring Mix, Veggie Slaw (Onion, Cucumber, Tomatoes, and Sweet Peppers) and Tortilla

  • Chicken Bacon Avocado Wrap: Baked Chicken, Romaine Lettuce, Bacon, Red Onion, Avocado, Feta Cheese and Tortilla

• Pasta Salad

• Chips

• Chocolate Chip Cookie

We look forward to seeing you!

Note: Once you click "add to cart," a form will pop up for you to add your name(s) and select your lunch wrap of choice via a drop down menu, before you proceed to checkout.

A note on parking:

It is confusing finding a parking spot close to the Belle/Mary M. wharf. The wharf is at 5th and River Road.

The parking lot near Joe’s Crab Shack at this time may be crowded, so we suggest the following to park near there.

• If you are coming west on I-64, exit at third street ramp and get in the left lane, so you can turn left onto River Road. Follow River Road until you can see Joe’s Crab Shack on the left. Turn left into the lot and turn left and go as far as you can to park, as this will place you within 100 yards of the wharf. It will cost $3 for 3 hours. Credit cards are accepted.

• If the lot described above is full, exit the lot and find your way back to 5th and River Road and park in one of the parking garages on 5th between Main Street and River Road. This will put you within 100 yards of the wharf also.

ICI Louisville is pleased to bring back the popular Italian Progressive Dinner!

Cost is $135.00 per person, including tax and gratuity. Any additional requests will be made at the guest's expense. 34 seats are available on the International Party Bus. We cannot accept same-day sign-up or payment so please RSVP beforehand.

Here’s what’s included:
Itinerary + Details:

Stop 1: Meet at Ricky B's @ 5:00 p.m.
2901 Brownsboro Rd
Since the bus leaves for Bella Roma at 6 p.m. sharp, come early and listen to the sounds of Rick Bartlett.

• One drink and light appetizers included.

Stop 2: Party bus will depart to Bella Roma @ 6:00 p.m.
134 E Market Street (New Albany)
Prosecco will be served on the way, with Beatles music played in Italian

• Your choice of one pasta dish

  • Carbonara, Italian pancetta and onions sautéed in a creamy sauce finished with an egg yoke and fresh cracked black pepper

  • Amatriciana, Italian pancetta and onions sautéed in house marinara sauce

  • Linguini with Clams, linguini pasta sautéed with baby clams and white wine sauce

  • Rigatoni with sautéed vegetables, seasonal vegetables sautéed in a light creamy white wine garlic sauce

• One glass of wine (your choice)

  • Giancarlo Pinot Grigio (white)

  • Le Rovole Sangiovese (red)

Stop 3: Party bust will depart to ROC
1327 Bardstown Rd
Limoncello will be served on the way to ROC as a palette cleanser

• Your choice of one entrée

  • Salmone Scozzese (Scottish-style salmon)

  • Eggplant Parmigiana

  • Scallopine di Vitello

  • Tagliata di Manzo (small portion of sliced steak)

• One glass of wine (your choice)

  • Trebbiano (white)

  • Montepulciano (red)

  • Prosecco (champagne)

Stop 4: Party Bus will return to Ricky B's
2901 Brownsboro Rd
Light desserts will be available. Rick will stay and play if people want to purchase a nightcap.

Please consider getting a Lyft/Uber home.

We look forward to seeing you!