# 10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Panforte

Panforte

Made with love in Italy this is the bianco panforte or 'white panforte'. The so - called Margherita variety is named after Queen Margherita, wife of King Umbero I, who during a visit to Siena to see the Palio was deighted by the panfote bianco.

Panforte is a spicy Italian fruitcake - chewy, nutty and delicious.

This year we only have the Masoni brand of panforte imported from Siena, Italy. Made using only the highest quality ingredients including the fabulous Tuscan millefiori honey, their Panforte is noticeably moister and contains more nuts and candied fruit than many others.

Experience something special this year and try this beautiful Panforte Margerita.

#10 Days of Tognini's Christmas - Panettone

Panettone

This gorgeous, sweet and delicate Italian cake is a must have on every Christmas table, perfect with a glass of champagne. 

The smell is intoxicating, as soon as the box is opened your senses transport you to a snow capped mountain in northern Italy. Or maybe that is just Mark & Narelle!

We have a range of classic Panettone at our Spring Hill Trattoria, Milton Cafe Deli and Fortitude Valley Espresso. Pop in store to check out our selection of brands and styles. Narelle's pick this year is a traditional Milanese panettone by G.Cova & Co. hand wrapped in colourful recycled paper, finished with a twine bow. 

Save The Date

 SAVE THE DATE

 Wednesday 28th November 

 Togninis Annual Christmas Tasting night.

More details advised soon. 

Ho Ho Ho Yum Yum Yum

Milan October 12- 15 2010

Overcast - cool -12-15 deg

Milan  - mostly we only pass through this city on our way further north to Mark's family town of Sondrio, but, we have a reason to spend a few days here this visit - we are catching up with our daughter who is attending the Bocconi University. We were of the understanding that she is studying here, but given her knowledge of local bars, restaurants and  shops we are unsure of how much study is happening! However it is good to have first hand knowledge of all the 'cool' places to go.

We eat at a local trattoria, Cantina della Vetra www.cantinadellavetra.it and  we feast on a selection of parma ham and breasola served with a pillow of fried pasta which resembles a roll. Opting for a simple risotto with a twist - my porcini risotto is cooked to perfection then pan fried resulting with a crunchy outside and perfectly creamy inside. The flavour rich with the porcini mushroom and parmesan cheese is intense. The menu in this homestyle tratorria is simple honest fare typical of the Italian cuisine - fresh seasonal porcini mushrooms.

Wandering around the city, you cannot help but be overwhelmed by the beauty of the architecture.  Having seen the Duomo several times before, I am still in awe of the structure and amazed at the beauty of this incredible landmark every time.  We are delighted to discover a Sicilian market tucked behind the main street and enjoy a freshly filled ricotta, plus a stop for another espresso - must be time for lunch?

Milan has a great tram system. Not quite sure how or where to purchase a ticket we just jumped on and off at our leisure - molto grazia Milano - we find our way to the Castello dating back to 1500. After a wander around the castle, our personal guide takes us for a gelato at possibly the best gelati store in Milan - Chocolat. As the name suggests there must be at least one or two varieties of chocolate gelato in this store -there were actually four chocolate varieties - chili chocolate, milk chocolate, dark 70% guarna and rum chocolate. So good is this gelati we visit again after dinner!

Milan is a beautiful city - filled with amazing history - helpful when you have first hand knowledge from a 'local', we wonder whether Nastassia will in fact come home - she loves this city.

A night in Tuscany

It was great to see lots of happy faces having fun and enjoying the Italian food at our recent Italian Wine Dinner.

Guest speaker, Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith, gave some great pointers on Italian wine which encouraged everyone to have just another glass.

Here is some of the night's action

Tognini's Spring Hill Trattoria opens

There’s more than a taste of Italy to be enjoyed at Tognini’s new Trattoria as Mark Tognini heads back to his Italian roots.

Inspired by Mark and Narelle's travels in Turin last year, the popular Spring Hill eatery on Turbot Street has been transformed with a makeover that focuses on the freshness of modern Italian style food.

Tognini’s Trattoria offers a new dine in experience with rustic Italian-style food focusing on small plates and an extensive cheese menu. The focus is savoury with lots of slow cooked items and the kitchen will be open from 7am to 9pm weekdays and Saturday and Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 8am until 3pm.

Friends, family, media and suppliers gathered to celebrate the opening with a few drinks and sample the new menu. The verdi -bellissimo!