Watch How to Make Carbonara From the Chef Behind Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Gucci

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Carbonara is a Roman classic. Of course, it may not really be Roman nor is actually that classic. In its current form, carbonara has only been around in the decades since World War II, and it may not have been created in the Eternal City. Some believe it was created up north by charcoal minors; while others say American GIs had a hand in its creation; and a third group believes 19th century Neapolitans are responsible for this dish. Regardless of its origins, it has come to be associated with the Rome’s trattorias and it is undoubtedly delicious.

“It’s one of my favorite pastas, because with just three simple ingredients, you can get an amazing result,” says Mattia Agazzi, the chef de cuisine at Gucci Osteria Da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills. Agazzi hails from Bergamo, north of Milan. He’s cooked around the world, including in Michelin three-star kitchens before returning to Italy and taking a job at Bottura’s Gucci Osteria in Florence. A few years later, he was off to Los Angeles to work at

Perched above Gucci’s shop on Rodeo Dr. the restaurant is Bottura’s first restaurant in America and his second partnership with the famed fashion house. There, Agazzi serves a menu with nods to Italy as well as playful incorporation of Southern California culture and ingredients, like fish of the day served with grilled “elote” corn or the carbonara made with Santa Barbara Uni.

Yet, in the video above, Agazzi shows how to make a true carbonara using egg yolk, pecorino Romana, Parmigiano Reggiano and guanciale, which is cured pork jowl. Because it’s easier to find Stateside, you’ll see people using bacon to make their carbonara. And while that may work in a pinch, the smoke from the bacon can dominate the other flavors in the dish, so it’s best to get guanciale if you can find it, or at least pancetta, which is cured pork belly—like bacon—but sans smoking.

And you may be tempted to make your carbonara alla spaghetti rich and creamy with the addition of actual cream. Massimo Bottura is all about breaking with tradition, but that’s not one you should defy.

Carbonara

Serves 4

360 g pasta (bucatini or rigatoni are ideal)

6 egg yolks

200 g guanciale cut into lardons

200 g pecorino Romano, grated

200 g Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

salt and pepper to taste

Put the yolks and half the pecorino romano and Parmigiano Reggiano in a large stainless-steel bowl and use a fork to mix well.

Heat the guanciale in a sauté pan and cook over medium high heat until it crisps. Do not strain off the fat.

Cook the pasta in well salted water following the instructions on the box. Before straining the pasta add one generous spoon of cooking water into the bowl with the egg yolk and mix well.

Toss the strained pasta and the crispy guanciale into the bowl with the yolk mixture adding the rest of the grated pecorino Romano and Parmigiano Reggiano. Keep mixing until the heat of the pasta creates a cream with the egg yolk mixture.

Season generously with black pepper and serve immediately.

What to Eat and Drink for Valentine’s Day in Florence

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FOOD + WINE

Where to Eat and Drink for Valentine’s Day in Florence

Our pick of Valentine’s takeaways and deliveries

Phoebe Hunt

February 9, 2021 - 11:27

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Will you be in Florence for Valentine’s Day this February 14? With Tuscany managing to stay in yellow zone for the time being, restaurants and cafes are making the most of the occasion with all sorts of special menus and deliveries. Although San Valentino supposedly dates back to Ancient Rome, the commercial celebration is a fairly new occurrence in Italy. Here are our suggestions, whether you’re planning to go out about or cosy up indoors.

If Tuscany returns to orange zone status on Sunday, February 14, restaurants will no longer be allowed to serve meals on their premises; takeaways and deliveries are still allowed. Hotels may continue to serve meals to their guests.

A Valentine’s weekend with vineyard views

Enjoy a Tuscan getaway with a weekend away at Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano estate. Only 20 minutes from Florence, yet a world away surrounded by greenery and quietude, the Valentine’s experience includes dinner on Saturday with a tasting menu at the on-site restaurant Locanda Le Tre Rane, a night’s accommodation in the restful rooms with vineyard views and a romantic aperitivo in your room with a bottle of the recently released Prosecco Rosé DOC Ruffino. The Valentine’s package costs 220 euro for two persons. Late check-in is a possibility and – if you’re struggling to tear yourself away – stay for Sunday lunch and take advantage of a 20% discount.

Booking required: [email protected] or +39 378 3050220

Sweets for your sweet

Say ‘I love you’ with a heart-shaped cake. Visit the I Dolci di Gervi’s website and choose from the home-baked, yet professionally made sweets. For Valentine’s Day, your favorite dessert can be ordered in the shape of a heart, serving 5 people for 25 euro. Plus there’s free delivery in the Florence area. For last-minute orders, check availability by calling +39 055 2691672.

Breakfast in bed

What says “I love you” more than cinnamon rolls? Beloved brunch spot Melaleuca is open all weekend (be sure to book) and they’re also delivering gluten-free red velvet cupcakes (15 euro for six), Guinness cake (25 euro, serves 2-4) and various other goodies to your door. Everything is homemade, down to the bagels, bacon and probiotic cream cheese. Their DIY breakfast-in-bed hamper for two costs 35 euro, and includes freshly ground D612 coffee, hand-rolled croissants, bagels, house-cured salmon or bacon, desserts and more.

Send in your pre-order to [email protected] by Wednesday, February 10, call 055 6146894 or DM on Instagram @melaleuca.florence. Delivery to your door is also available.

A seasonal celebration

Popular Sant’Ambrogio restaurant Cibrèo have put together a set and a la carte menu for Valentine’s Day, with seasonal stuffed artichokes and other produce-led dishes coming onto the menu. Alternatively, choose yourself a picnic dinner of quality goodies – hot lasagne, stews, salads and freshly baked sourdough – from nearby C.BIO and have a night off from cooking.

Call +39 055 2345853 to book a table at Cibrèo

Colours of love

La Ménagère’s head chef Nicholas Duonnolo has concocted an elegant five-course Valentine’s lunch centered on red and pink colours for the occasion. The menu includes a red prawn and bergamot risotto, plus two delicate rhubarb desserts celebrating the spring. The lunch costs 55 euro per person, excluding drinks. Each couple will be given a special floral gift.

To book, contact +39 055 075 06 00 or [email protected]

Pancakes + cocktails

The American-style diner are offering a complimentary Valentine’s cocktail and mini heart-shaped pancakes to all couples who dine at Rooster on Valentine’s Day. They’ll be welcoming all at both locations at via Sant’Egidio 37r and via Porta Rossa 63r from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Bookings are available for the slightly more spacious via Porta Rossa branch.

To book, contact [email protected] or +39 055 240 208

Pure indulgence

If you’re looking to impress, Four Seasons Florence is your place. With Michelin-starred culinary creations and the option to stay overnight and therefore have dinner, it’s one of the only five-star destinations open right now. Valentine’s packages include breakfast and late check out. There’s also have a decadent “Valentine’s at Home” menu, priced at 90 euro per person. Customised floral arrangements and bottles of Krug champagne can also be arranged.

To book or order, contact +39 055 2626450 or [email protected] or visit www.fourseasons.com\florence

For fashionistas

Head to Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria for a fancy lunch and fashionista’s dream as chef Karime Lopez devises two special tasting menus exclusively for Valentine’s Day. The seven course menu will be titled All You Need is Love, with wine pairing available.

To book contact +39 055 7592 7038

Saintly fare

The little sister of Il Santo Bevitore, tiny spot Il Santino on via Santo Spirito have a four-course fish menu for Valentine’s Day, costing 50 euro for two people. Expect creamed cod, fish soup, seared tuna and a signature chocolate brownie. The menu is also available for take-away via Deliveroo and comes with their own bread. Charming bakery and lunch spot S.Forno, also from the creators of Il Santo Bevitore, have pulled together a Cestino di San Valentino, a hamper including two artisan paninis, a heart-shaped chocolate brownie and a drink each for 12 euro. Chocolate and cherry panettoni are also on hand for lovers.

To book Il Santino, call +39 055 211264. To order from S.Forno, contact [email protected] or call +39 055 2398580.

Gelato love

Say it with gelato! Sbrino is delivering city-wide, with seasonal flavours like mandarin on the menu right now. The via Serragli store near Santo Spirito has been closed for the last couple of weeks, but will reopen on February 12 in time for Valentine’s Day if you’d prefer to go for an afternoon passeggiata with your date and pick up your gelato.

Order on Ubereats or visit their shops on via dei Serragli 32r or via Senese 1r.

Baked treats

Pick up some goodies from San Frediano institution, Pasticceria Buonamici, and enjoy them at home: the historic bakery is known for their traditional Florentine specialities, but that doesn’t mean they are above some Valentine’s soppiness. Rossella Buonamici and her team of bakers are preparing themed cookies boxes, Valentine’s cakes and special cupcakes in white boxes ready to go.

Visit via dell’Orto 27r to pick up your goodies, or call 055224004 to pre-order.

A healthy option

Go down the healthy route at Floret, who have packaged a special Valentine’s brunch bundle with flowers, a soon-to-be-announced set menu and various wellness goodies, including cold pressed juices and gluten free treats. They’re also offering a Self-Love discount of 25% on Valentine’s Day.

To order a delivery or book in for brunch, visit www.floret-bar.com

Make your own

If you’re in the US and wishing you were in Florence, Curious Appetite is hosting a virtual cooking class with Florentine cooking instructor Patrizia Cantini this Valentine’s Day. Patrizia will teach participants how to tame artichokes and make tagliatelle ai carciofi. The class will take place at 12pm ET on February 14. All online pasta classes last 1.5 hours and cost $35 per participant.

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DUBAI: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has teamed up with chef Hari Nayak, the culinary talent behind Dubai’s Masti eatery, to launch an Indian restaurant called Sona in New York, she announced on Instagram on Saturday.

“I’m thrilled to present to you SONA, a new restaurant in NYC that I poured my love for Indian food into. SONA is the very embodiment of timeless India and the flavors I grew up with,” Chopra poste d on Instagram.

“The kitchen is helmed by the incredible Chef @harinayak, a masterful talent, who has created the most delicious and innovative menu, taking you on a food journey through my amazing country. SONA is opening later this month, and I can’t wait to see you there! This endeavor would not have been possible without the leadership of my friends Maneesh Goyal and David Rabin. Thank you to our designer Melissa Bowers and the rest of the team for realizing this vision so clearly,” she added.

The new outlet is a collaboration with restauranteur David Rabin and entrepreneur Maneesh Goyal.

In January, Chopra kickstarted her own hair care line. Named Anomaly, the brand is vegan, eco-friendly and in the affordable price bracket.