The Pretend Gourmet

30/05/2026

2007 Viñedos de Páganos “El Puntido” Gran Reserva: Rioja Depth with Timeless Character

From a single vineyard in Rioja Alavesa, the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva is a powerful yet beautifully evolved expression of 100% Tempranillo. The nose reveals layers of dark cherry, blackberry, forest floor, truffle, to***co, and warm baking spices, all framed by finely integrated oak.

On the palate, it is rich and complex — ripe dark fruit gives way to savory notes of leather, cedar, earth, and spice, supported by firm but polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Decades of development have brought remarkable balance and nuance, while preserving the structure that has made this wine so highly regarded.

A compelling Rioja that bridges modern precision and classic elegance, drinking beautifully today while continuing to reward those who appreciate mature, age-worthy wines.

27/05/2026

A Quiet Expression of Coastal Simplicity

Halibut, delicately prepared and paired with Grilled Artichokes, Tender Asparagus, and Oyster Mushrooms. The smokiness of the artichokes, the freshness of the asparagus, and the earthy depth of the mushrooms frame the fish with restraint — allowing each ingredient to speak with balance, warmth, and quiet elegance.

24/05/2026

28/04/2026

A Timeless Expression of Sea and Story

Baccalà — Steamed Salt Cod, gently set in a Marinara of Tomato, Olives, Capers, and Oregano. Its roots trace back to the 15th century, when Venetian captain Pietro Querini’s shipwreck on Norway’s Lofoten Islands introduced wind-dried cod to Italy. Valued for its durability and embraced during Lenten fasting, this humble preservation became a cornerstone of Italian kitchens. Here, the salt-cured cod is softened and reimagined — a dish where history, resilience, and Mediterranean warmth quietly come together.

27/04/2026

2018 Sammarco Ettore Pietre Di Tramonti Costa D’amalfi Tramonti Rosso Riserva is produced locally in Ravello using only native Aglianico and Piedirosso grapes.
On the nose it’s dried cherry, plum with volcanic/mineral tones. On the plate it’s medium-to-full body with a savory finish.

26/04/2026

A Luminous Dialogue of Citrus and Sea
32-Yolk Tagliolini, hand-cut and luxuriously rich, gently folded into a light emulsion of Amalfi Lemon, Butter, and Olive Oil. Rolled and paired with Red Shrimp expressed in multiple textures, the dish moves between silkiness and brightness, depth and delicacy — a refined composition where citrus light and ocean sweetness meet in quiet harmony.

25/04/2026

A Pure Expression of Campanian Tradition

Spaghettoni Pasta, gently coated in “Casa Marrazzo” Tomato Sauce — a preparation rooted in the sunlit fields of Campania. Crafted by a family-run cannery in Pagani since the early 1900s, Casa Marrazzo honors a farm-to-dish philosophy, preserving the integrity of San Marzano DOP tomatoes with care and respect for the land. The result is a sauce of quiet depth and natural sweetness, allowing the pasta to carry a story of place, heritage, and enduring simplicity.

24/04/2026

A Campanian Expression of Rustic Elegance

Potato Gnocchi, soft and pillowy, folded into a delicate Quail Ragù with Tender Asparagus and Fresh Thyme. Rooted in the countryside traditions of Campania, where humble ingredients are coaxed into depth and warmth, the dish balances earth, herb, and gentle richness — a quiet, soulful composition that reflects the region’s enduring simplicity and grace.

23/04/2026

2015 Luigi Tecce Taurasi Riserva “Puro Sangue”: Aglianico with Raw Power and Precision

From the volcanic soils of Taurasi in Campania, the 2015 Luigi Tecce “Puro Sangue” Riserva is a commanding expression of Aglianico that marries intensity with remarkable energy. The nose bursts from the glass with crushed stone, ashen earth, citrus-tinged blackberry, and a wild hint of animal musk, layered with deep mineral complexity.

On the palate, it is both powerful and finely textured-ripe plum, dark berry, and tangerine notes unfold over vibrant acidity and a core of minerality, with herbal tones adding depth. The structure builds steadily through the finish, yet the wine remains lifted and full of momentum, with lingering notes of to***co, cocoa, and dried rose that seem to echo endlessly.

A bold, age-worthy Taurasi that delivers both immediate impact and the promise of something even greater with time — patience here will be richly rewarded.

21/04/2026

A Southern Italian Expression of Heritage and Restraint

“Hera nei Campi” Risotto, gently stirred to a creamy finish, layered with Tomatoes and E.V.O. Oil from Cilento, encircled by delicate Tomato Breadcrumbs and finished with a Parsley Oil Sauce. The rice — grown in Campania using the rare Magnum grain, nearly twice the size of traditional Carnaroli — revives a two-century-old cultivation in the Sele Plain, offering structure, aroma, and depth. A composed dish where tradition, texture, and quiet elegance come together in balance.