PHOTOGRAPHY BY RIMAS ZAILSKAS
STYLED BY JANE ASHER
Elaine Ciampi’s Laurel Park home — with its massive stone construction and lush courtyard, looks as if it could have been transplanted from the Tuscan landscape.
The Ciampi villa was the perfect setting for a recent courtyard feast featuring food and decor inspired by her beloved Tuscany.
The soiree served a dual purpose: partly as a venue for the monthly meeting of the Hendersonville Film Society (Ciampi is the founder and director) and partly as a chance to showcase the culinary artistry of David Sparacino, the chef and owner of the long-awaited La Riserva restaurant in downtown Hendersonville.
To begin, partygoers enjoyed handmade pasta individually wrapped on flatware and presented in fresh scallop shells. One of the tables offered an Insalata di Antipasto Classico full of imported meats and cheeses, marinated olives, pepperoncinis, fire-roasted red peppers and whole-stem artichokes…all served with marinated vegetables and local field greens with a white anchovy aioli.
Continuing the Tuscan theme, Sparacino prepared a Spinaci, Carciofi e Crabe alla Toscana, which features baby spinach leaves, artichokes and lump crab sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and freshly pressed garlic. The dish was baked gratina style and finished with Meyer lemon, fresh herbs, Pecorino Romano cheese and served with toasted crostinis.
A favorite with the party guests was the Pomodoro Tunno e Mozzarella Caprese, a Tuscan treat made from thinly sliced sashimi-grade tuna loin layered timballo style with aromatic basil, fried leeks and 15-year-old balsamic vinegar. Making the rounds on a crowded antipasto tray was Sparacino’s popular Frutti Di Mare Piccollo, seasonal shellfish presented in bite-size form with fresh capellini pasta, chive and basil.
Wine for the evening was chosen by Chef Sparacino and Jane Asher, one of Ciampi’s neighbors and the owner of Jane Asher’s Antiques in Hendersonville. The Poggio Al Moro 2004 was the hit of the party, with the Insoglio del Cinghiale (also a 2004) a close second.
Authentic cuisine and fine wine aside, the real star of the party was the spectacular Ciampi home, with its delightful stonework and old-world-style courtyard. The home even has an outdoor dumbwaiter, fashioned from a basket and a small pulley. According to the hostess, Tuscan housewives use similar devices to transport groceries to their kitchens. Ciampi, who travels to Italy annually, has lived in the house for 22 years and has made a conscious effort to fashion her environment to match the part of Europe she loves so much.
“When I first came here,” she recalls, “gardeners told me to plant grass in the courtyard, but I had just come from Italy and I wanted gravel like they have there…so I acquired this Italian look.”
Ask Ciampi about her fascination with Italy and she’ll recite an entire list of preferences. “I’ve made dozens of trips to Italy and I still love it so much. I don’t spend too much time in the big cities. I usually go to Cinque Terre. They’re five little villages and you can travel between them by boat or walking…or you can take a train. It’s a beautiful place. I like the weather. I like the people…and I really like the food.”
La Riserva Ristorante, 342 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, is scheduled to open this summer. Call 828-692-6636 or visit www.lariservaristorante.com for details.