Bill Menard is a recovering attorney who left private practice in Washington, DC over a decade ago to pursue his passion for all things Italian. With his wife, Suzy, they founded Bella Italia in 2003, a retail store in Bethesda, Maryland that specialized in artisinal products from Italy, including gourmet foods, hand painted ceramics and luxury housewares. In 2014, they relocated and rebranded, and are now Via Umbria in Georgetown, D.C. Bill and Suzy travel to Italy frequently to find new products to import and to broaden their understanding and appreciation for the Italian culture and lifestyle. In 2008 they purchased a villa in Umbria, just outside the village of Cannara, as a rental property. Those in search of la dolce vita should visit Via Umbria at 1525 Wisconsin Ave NW, or www.viaumbria.com.
With so much history, with an incredibly complex and interesting culture, with natural resources galore, not least of which is the sea that surrounds this enchanting and intoxicating island, one could almost overlook food as a source of adventure and pleasure on a visit to Sicily. But then one wouldn’t be Bill and Suzy. Continue reading Island Fare: Sicily→
Today’s story could be titled Two Gentlemen from Verona. Except they aren’t from Verona. One is from Costa Rica, the other from Sicily. Two citizens of the world. Nonetheless, it is the story of two gentlemen. Continue reading Che Syrah→
So goodbye Bevagna. Farewell Umbria. Arrivederci to my little friends in the Piazza Garibaldi. On our Friday, the second day of our trip, we do spend a glorious day in and around Bevagna – running errands, visiting a new and intriguing winery that is built to resemble a turtle shell, having lunch with Marco and Chiara and their two beautiful children, dining at Simone’s amid the hubbub of another night of the Mercato del Gaite. But perhaps our minds have already transported us to Sicily, our destination the following day, where we will spend the next seven nights. Continue reading Open Sicily→
Our second Italian adventure this trip starts where we left off from the first – in Bevagna on our first day in country, many, many hours since our arrival in Italy and many, many more hours since we woke up and began the long trip to Italy. In fact, when we last left you, after filling our stomachs with a grand meal at the even grander restaurant Redibis, it was 11pm at night on our arrival day. Continue reading Gaita Bait→
We’re back. Just as we knew we would be. But six, nearly seven weeks removed from Italy, since our last two month visit, is and was a long time away. It is, naturally, good to be back, especially as our month long itinerary will be a mix of the old and familiar and the new and exciting. Sicily, Ponza, Umbria. Beaches, Greek ruins, rental boats and Umbria Jazz, the villa and our Umbrian neighbors. Pete and Nancy (their fourth or fifth visit?), Bill and Corinna (their second), Willia and John (their second, too) and Bruce and Christine, John and Betty (their first). I can’t imagine ever getting tired of this. Continue reading Redibis – Latin, you will come back→
Saturday night marked the first installment of “Olive Oil Tasting – the Bella Italia Way!” Our inauguaral group of 18 guinea pigs squeezed themselves around our makeshift tasting table, placemats set out with a dozen cups of extravirgin olive oil for tasting, drizzling and slurping. It was a tight fit at the table, but with a little EVOO slathered on our guests, everyone was easily able to slip up to the table. Continue reading Oil in the Family→
We love Italy. Anyone who knows us or has read this blog knows that. But a couple of days ago we bade goodbye to la repubblica italiana, boarded our LCC jet and winged our way from Europe to Asia, alighting at Istanbul, Turkey’s other airport, Sahiba Gokcen to begin a three day visit. Istanbul, Constantinople. You say tomato, I say tomahto. No matter how you slice this turkey, it is delicious. Continue reading Talking Turkey→
I’m beginning to feel a little like Lucille Ball manning the conveyor belt at the candy store. No matter how fast I churn out a post, the days move more quickly and a bunch of candy comes falling off the belt and onto the floor. Guess I’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do. Continue reading Lucy, I’m Home→
Why is it that we tend to make friends in Italy so often with chefs and winemakers? It must have something to do with the question posed to Willie Sutton about why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is.” Continue reading Home Cooking→
How do you follow up a night of food debauchery, of excess so excessive that it should be spelled with three x’s? After the triumphant first and final performance of “The Gilocchi Show” there was only one way to atone, physically, mentally and spiritually.
A quick post from the train as we make our way from Florence to Venice.
It’s Easter – buona Pasqua, tutti – and if it’s Easter and we’re in Florence, then I must be writing about the Scoppio del Carro. I am. Continue reading Easter Bombies→
With so much history, with an incredibly complex and interesting culture, with natural resources galore, not least of which is the sea that surrounds this enchanting and intoxicating island, one could almost overlook food as a source of adventure and pleasure on a visit to Sicily. But then one wouldn’t be Bill and Suzy. Continue reading Island Fare: Sicily 
A quick post from the train as we make our way from Florence to Venice.