#26. tunnel boat trip, Prada cafe, peckham diaries, planetarium & biggest yoga space in europe
april 2023 edition.
slow food + travel through islington tunnel + the best of peckham + mindful eating + secrets of italy + things I am loving + the biggest yoga space in europe + a lunar encounter + £25 set menu in stoke newington + newly opened prada caffè at harrods + clogs obsession
“The joy of Italy often consists of doing ordinary things in extraordinary settings." - Erica Jong
I couldn’t begin this year without travelling to my beloved Italy. Every encounter with this country has a special revelation, even if I have visited its territory numerous times. It’s like my ancestors wanting to show me a different side of the Bel Paese every time we meet like a secret being unfolded for every effort and landing.
When journaling in my notebook before heading to edit this newsletter on Substack, I streamed The Menu - I don’t know about you, but I love a sweet sound in the background while running errands, working, scrolling a bit of Instagram or even reading a book.
The film "focuses on a young couple who visits an exclusive destination restaurant on a remote island where the acclaimed chef has prepared a lavish tasting menu.” I didn’t finish it yet - I paused because it’s more than a movie to run in the background and mainly because of what the character played by Ralph Fiennes says about eating.
“But I have to beg you one thing. It’s just one.
Do not eat.
[Is he serious?]
Taste.
Savour.
Relish.
Consider every morsel that you place inside your mouth. Be mindful. But do not eat. Our menu is too precious for that. And look around you. Here we are on this island. Accept. Accept all of it. Forgive.”
I already love the movie simply and powerfully like that. A moment of wisdom in its freakiness (watch and see). If Italy were a chef, though, it would definitely say that!
Because if there is one thing Italy can teach the world, it’s the pleasure of eating. But not eating. E-a-t-i-n-g. Slow food. Slow motion.
I think it’s a way of life—the power of now. And I think I learned this lesson quite well. Even on a chaotic day at work or that busy weekend, if there is something I dedicate my time on is in eating. I’m not talking about overexaggerating junkies, tanned food, or eating pizza all day.
It’s more about embracing a meal as a ritual, enjoying quality ingredients, seasonal vegetables, and food that respects the quality of time—being present and interested in the whole chain of people and grains that support what physically sustains us.
Next time you’re in the country or on your next meal, embrace these wise words and see what changes. You don’t need a Michelin-star-tasting menu to experience the joy of being present and the pleasant taste of food.
Actually, Italy doesn’t own many Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s easy to understand why. The most spectacular food experience you have in the country is popular, accessible, and affordable. The recipes come from the stories we see on the streets, from the kitchen of the nonna, from tradition, history and the bonds of family. I couldn’t be more fascinated, maybe because I have Cancer rising, which in astrology is all about honouring roots and appreciating those who came before us. As you can see, I heavily rely on this philosophy as spring is shy to sprung this year!
As we go through this topic, one of the things I love the most - you spotted if you frequently follow this newsletter - is visiting new eateries and being a reference of places to go for others. It’s not by chance that my secret hobby of being a food critic on Google helps more than 42 million people (!), as per their last statistic. This also means I’m that one always organising and booking a table in that nice-restaurant-difficult-to-book-but-worth-every-penny.
Lately, a curious thing has been happening: my friends sometimes feel guilty that I am always the organiser and have suggested taking “my role”. It’s been interesting to be guided by my acquaintances and closest connections’ palates. They are bringing me to places I would never go, and I’m letting myself be surprised. It’s always a good reminder that to keep the joy of doing what you’re passionate about, flexibility must always be in the show.
Things I am loving (and you could love as well)
The Made in the British Isles dresses from Justine Tabak, already a favourite, translate the British way of life with Liberty fabric
Reading all books in the Apple Books application - I love how I can highlight things in different colours and have access to my favourite pages everywhere I go
The new purple colour of my new iPhone 14 Plus
Treadwell’s online events about the occult - this week, I attended a great course about Ancient Egyptian Magic
DOM season 2 - with a special shout to Gabriel Leone, who will also play Ayrton Senna on Netflix next year
Revisiting Pedro Almodóvar movies
My Birkenstock Arizona Mocca Lammfel Sliders - obsessed since day 1
I have my eyes on SAYE trainers, produced in Barcelona, a new vegan brand, as well as Autry, from the USA
CLOGS! Kit and Clogs Studio handmade them in the UK and is inspired by traditional Swedish models. I just grabbed mine at TOAST!
Glebe House, a kind-of-Tuscany-home-stay near Cornwall, which I am trying to find availability for a weekend in the coming months - wish me luck!
Friends that are finally visiting me in London! <3
Booking a consultation for my Kabbalistic Natal Chart - the Tree of Life is a diagram of existence with each of the ten circles (Sefirot) indicating an aspect of the Divine nature. Finding this service is rare, and I can’t wait for it!
Erbusco, a sophisticated and small Italian village in the wine region of Franciacorta, brings the best pizza experience I had in Europe at La Filiale, with the concept of the famous Franco Pepe and Pasticceria Roberto, where I had my first Colomba of the Easter season
Visiting Brescia, Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2023, an overlooked hidden gem close to Milan and Verona, together with Bassano del Grappa - a kind of Florence next to Venice - and Lake Iseo, which you probably never heard about (but should!)