Curated Weekly Menus RSS



THANKSGIVING "ABBONDANZA" - Pick-up: November 22, 2023

Thanksgiving "Abbondanza" - Pick-up: November 22, 2023 Thanksgiving is a time to reunite family. For this, i Ricchi will prepare its annual Italian American feast for pick-up on Wednesday, the day before, so our staff can spend the day with their families. Many of our customers still will not be traveling this year, so we thought it a great idea to offer this 4-course celebratory meal so even those spending the day alone could enjoy some home cooking. In Italian American homes, Thanksgiving is the perfect melding of two cultures. For Americans, Thanksgiving has become the quintessential national holiday of goodwill and abundance.  Italians easily understand and embrace Thanksgiving as they love any holiday that brings people together around the table. Ours...

Continue reading



WEEK 189 MENU: October 31 - November 5, 2023

Harvesting Green Gold: Olive Oil in Tuscany In was October 18, 1971…the day I fell in love with Italy. My fate was sealed that crisp autumn morning when I went to harvest olives for the first time.  The moment they strapped that woven willow basket around my waist, I couldn’t wait to ascend into those silvery branches.  The olive harvest is a unique opportunity to participate in an autumnal ritual that is essential to Italy’s agrarian and culinary culture. This week’s menu highlights the use of olive oil, exalts the flavors of the season and features some of the dishes you might find at an olive harvest feast.

Continue reading



WEEK 188 MENU - October 24-29, 2023

Halloween with an Italian Accent Halloween may not be so foreign to Italian culture as some might think. There are legends, rites and traditions around All Saints Day (Nov 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2) that coincide with Halloween as we know it. This menu highlights Autumn's ingredients with a nod to regional specialties and a "spooky" Tuscan dessert. Although modern Halloween carries no sort of significant meaning for those in Italy, it is still a holiday that involves doing something all Italians love: celebrating.

Continue reading



WEEK 187 MENU: October 17-22, 2023

Italian Americans: Assimilation and Perseverance The Italian assimilation into the US was particularly difficult, marred by stereotypical images of unsavory people prone to criminality.  Despite these depictions, Italians focused on building their American identities.  Interestingly enough, it was through their food that Italians forced the rest of America to adjust.  It was the Italian restaurants opened by immigrants here that changed and improved America’s understanding and appreciation of Italian culture.  Once only available in their neighborhoods, Italian food has won its way into the hearts, minds and stomachs of all Americans.  Here’s to another delicious week of featuring some of the most famous food from around the country!

Continue reading



WEEK 186 MENU: Oct 10-15, 2023

Italian Americans: New Country, New Identity As the granddaughter of immigrants, I grew up in the shadow of stories not freely told – not fully understanding the suffering and sacrifices that came before.  We were Americans, that was all we needed to know – that was all my grandparents wanted for us. Struggling to assimilate in the New World while holding on to their traditions strengthened the primacy and power of the family.  Putting food on the table for the family led to the creation of a new immigrant cuisine utilizing old favorite recipes with the addition of new locally available ingredients.

Continue reading