 |
| Attendees take a commemorative photo outside ACQUA Photos by New York Scugnizzo and Cav. Charles Sant'Elia |
For the ninth year in a row, tri-state area neobriganti, Borbonici and friends came together in solidarity to commemorate the Battle of Bitonto (May 25, 1734), the pivotal engagement between the forces of HM Carlo di Borbone and the Austrian Empire for the crowns of Naples and Sicily. The Bourbon victory redeemed the ancient kingdom (il Regno) and ushered in the Golden Age of Naples.
Normally held in Brooklyn, this year the event was moved to ACQUA Restaurant (21 Peck Slip) in Manhattan’s historic South Street Seaport. The change in venue coincides with Chef Giuseppe Marrone’s move to the restaurant. In addition to being a great admirer of Giuseppe’s cooking, he is a fellow traveler and brother, and we wanted him with us.
Our celebration began a little early at the bar with aperitifs and toasts to our ancestors and our once and future kings. When all our guests arrived, we were seated and treated to a sumptuous repast, replete with southern Italian delicacies, including arancini, burrata di bufala, pizza Margherita, and polpo alla griglia.
The beer and wine flowed, as did the laughs and interesting conversation. Our party even did a little singing with Neapolitan American entertainer Marcantonio Pezzano leading the way. Among others, Marco sang a beautiful invocation to the Madonna di Monte Vergine, with the rest of us joining in the chorus.
 |
| This year's invitation |
Before calling it a night, we capped off our enjoyable evening with some shots of limencello and amaro (my favorite digestivi), and awarded the door prizes.
This year’s prizes included a Salvatore Argenio lacquered wood jewelry box embellished with the Cross of the Constantinian Order of St. George; a Salvatore Argenio blue silk tie with coat-of-arms of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies; a Salvatore Argenio white face watch with royal stemma and black leather wrist band; a bottle of Mastrodomenico Mos from Basilicata; a bottle of Fontana Reale falanghina del Beneventano from Campania; a bottle of Aitala Etna Bianco from Sicily; a fifty dollar gift certificate for Acqua Restaurant and a couple of CD’s of the Concertos for the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (Hyperion, 1999). The prizes were generously donated by Il Regno, Tribeca Vini and Acqua Restaurant.
Once again, I cannot thank Chef Marrone enough for hosting our celebration in his wonderful restaurant. He is a true friend and lavish with his hospitality. Dinner, of course, was delicious and the service was great. Luca, Daniele and the rest of the hardworking staff accommodated our every need and did an incredible job making us feel right at home. We couldn't have asked for anything more.
Special thanks to my esteemed confratelli and consorelle for your much appreciated support and friendship. It was an honor and a privilege to celebrate our history and culture with you and I look forward to doing it again next year at the Tenth Annual Battle of Bitonto Commemoration. Viva ‘o Rre!
 |
| Marco regaled us with a few Neapolitan folk songs |
 |
| Classic bruschetta with diced tomato and onion, and the more adventurous, but oh so delicious, red caviar and salmon mousse |
 |
Affettati e formaggio
|
 |
Burrata di bufala e prosciutto di Parma
|
 |
Pizza Margherita
|
 |
Polpo alla griglia
|
 |
| This year's big winners: (L) Stephen won the Salvatore Argenio jewelry box and (R) Michael went home with the Salvatore Argenio silk tie |
 |
| Rosanna won the bottle of Aitala Etna Bianco from Sicily |
 |
| Bruno walked away with the smart looking Salvatore Argenio white face watch with royal stemma and black leather wrist band |
 |
| For dessert we enjoyed some torta di ricotta, cannoli, sweet strawberries and torta di lava cioccolato |
