Getting to Know -Margi Cintrano

[PrincessFiona60]

1. If you could, would you open a restaurant and what would you call it?

2. Have you ever been west of the Continental Divide?

3. Who is your hero?

[PrincessFiona60]

Here we are Margi! Your Own Q&A thread!

[Margi Cintrano]

Firstly, at this stage of my life, I would not consider opening a restaurant alone nor would I really want to Chef It ... I am a publishing journalist and prefer this side of gastronomic adventures. Mediterranean Gastro Bar: this is first idea that has come up when I read your question. The Name ? Have not thought about it seriously ... A name easily pronounced in Spanish. Italian. English. French. Latin rooted and with IMPACT ... Catchy name, easy to pronounce and related to the theme of gastro bar - trattoria ... the theme of the decor, etcetra ...

I would consider a collaboration, and would prefer to head the Wine side of the business.

2ndly: Yes, I lived in San Francisco for a few years, was raised in Vancouver ( and lived there until I was 17 1/2 ) and have travelled throughout most of the USA, the far west included.

Third question: In all honesty, my heros and heroines are THE DOCTORS WITHOUT FRONTIERS ( Doctores sin Frontiers ), who travel around the world, and treat victims of wars, plagues, illnesses we have eradicated, victims of natural disasters, famines etcetra ... These are my heroines and heros. This also includes Vets who work in the same manner, saving, rescuing and freeing animals who were / are butchered, abused and sick.

P. Fiona: good questions. Thanks for post,

Kind regards
Margi

[Margi Cintrano]

@ Princess Fiona and Craig,

Sorry. Interesting, as I received such a lovely note from a member, who thanked me for my reply about Doctors Without Frontiers and Vets without frontiers.

Margi.

[GB]

Margi, What is your favorite and least favorite thing about both Italy and Spain?

What is your favorite childhood memory?

If you were standed on a desert island and found a cell phone on the beach with enough power for one 30 second call, who would you call?

[Margi Cintrano]

Question 1: Italy - The Best and the Worst

Firstly, when people think of Italia, they think of Rome and Florence. Italy is multi culturally ancient and quite a mosaic of geography and topography. Each region of Italia has its own distinct culture, customs, cuisines, raw materials = products, scenery and land or seascapes, artisanal crafts, and enchantment. What I love most, the people, the gastronomy, simple fare to celebrity chef cuisine and their wines. This is what I love most. Epicurism wise:

Sicilia: cannoli, amberjack fish, fish, shellfish, capers and the Holy Trinity ...

Lombardia: risottos, polenta, white truffles, gorgonzola, taleggio & bel pase and: " THE HOLY TRINITY = CHEESE, BREAD AND WINE " ...

Lazio, Abruzzi and Molise: the land of the shepherds and lamb, black and white truffles and again the Holy Trinity ---

Basilicata & Calabria: Melanzane ... eggplant ... fish and shell fish ---
pasta, chili peppers, all types of pepper ...

Sardinia: The Holy Trinity and Fiore Sardo Pecorni, its designation ... There is nothing I do not like about Sardinia, except I wish it were warmer year round. Sardinia, and its´ Carta di Musica, a Sardinian flat bread ... Cassola which is similar to a Boulaibaisse of assorted shell fish and fish varieties.

Apulia, Puglia, the Heel of Italia: On the Adriatic Sea, there is very little not to like ... This is heaven on earth ...

Veneto: Venice, is perhaps one of the few cities in the world that have such a visual impact and magic ... It is impossible not to leave your heart in Venice ... Pasta e Fagioli, a bean and pasta tomato based stew soup ... Radicchio and the variety of Adriatic fish ... Tiramisu ... The only thing, I dislike about Veneto is the winter. The Holy Trinity ...

Tuscany: The Great renaissance city of Florence is a not to miss treat.
The wines of Tuscany and the rest of the Holy Trinity.

Emilia Romangna: The home of Bolognese, Modena Balsamic Vinegar, Reggiano Parmesano, Proscuitto di Parma, and not to be repetious, the Holy Trinity ... Steeped profoundly in ancient tradition, as if nothing has changed ... Rimini, the coastal resort of world fame on the Adriatic is a must go.

Piamonte and Valle D´Aosta: Pesto ... for starters, white truffles & pasta ... the fab wines ... The Alpine beauty merged in this region ... Moscato D´Asti, a semi sweet wine worthy of one´s sipping. ( moscato is moscatel )

All places have their positives and their negatives. The U.E. Euro zone has been hit particularly hard in the Mediterranean countries; Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. However, all 4 of these countries have new Prime Ministers or Presidents. Ireland and Iceland are 2 other countries also in heavy debt, corrupt politicians and poor money management.

2) Childhood memory ?

My grandmom Margherite and the aromas of her Trattoria and my mom´s Apple Pie with Cinammon. I have an extraordinaire olfactory and thus, aromas have always played a very strong role in my life.

3) The Cell Phone - 30 Second Call ...

Hard question as I have two daughters ! and one Vet Gent ... I would have to be in that position to answer such a tough question.

4) SPAIN: I have similar enjoyments on the Iberian Peninsula as I do in Italia however, these two countries are totally distinct. I love Italia and I live in Madrid for professional commitments. I prefer the regional epicurism of Italy; however, I love the TAPAS crawling ( bar bouncing ). The provinces of Spain, I like most are: Galicia in the northwest for the Holy Trinity and the gastronomy and white wines and Cádiz in Andalucia on the southern Atlantic Coast for lifestyle. The red wines of Ribera del Duero, are one of my favorites.

On the upscale side of dining with celebrity chefs, Costa Brava, Las Rosas, Catalonia, Girona capital, Barcelona Capital and the East coast of the Iberian Penisula.

The New Prime Minister has just changed the Laboral Laws here, and thus, this is the start of the repair and damage which was caused under the previous Government.

Kind regards.
Margaux Cintrano.

[GB]

Thank you for such an in depth well thought out answer. Very interesting stuff!

[HistoricFoodie]

Don't believe any of it, GB. Trust me, I know the girl.

Margi is actually 14 years old, lives in the Bronx, was raised by her Ukrainian paternal grandmother, and doesn't speak a word of Spanish.

She just does a pretty fair job of faking it.

[GB]

[Katie H]

If there were no constraints, such as time, money, location, etc....what would your "ideal" eating event be? Doesn't matter whether it be breakfast/brunch, lunch, dinner, snack, or late-night repast. What would you choose?

And.....


Who would your eating companion be? Living or dead, peon or famous or anyone in between. Who would be sharing your food with you?