Cool days, cooler nights, and the best of Northern Italy—this October in Piemonte & Milano.
A newsletter about the culture of eating and drinking better in Northern Italy.
We skipped our May newsletter—for good reason.
We’ve been busy cooking up something new. Meet Fazool.
Don’t worry—Risotto & Steel isn’t going anywhere. But we’ve soft-launched a new brand this month: Fazool.
So… why “Fazool”?
It comes from pasta fazool—the Italian-American way of saying pasta e fagioli. You might even recognize it from the Dean Martin classic:
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore... When the stars make you drool just like pasta fazool, that’s amore."
And beans really are love. My daughter recently planted beans on a paper towel at school—and ended up growing and harvesting her own little crop. What started as two beans have become four. A simple—and from what I am learning, often universal—first step into a lifelong love of nature and food.
Beans are magic. They’re history, sustenance, and joy. Every one of Italy’s 20 regions celebrates them. They’re humble, hearty, and full of meaning—just like the tours we hope to share.
While our guides are seasoned pros—food writers and culinary obsessives who really love what they do—we know we might sound a little pretentious at times (no, we don’t do truffle oil).
But we’re also fun. Fazool is meant to make you smile. It’s a wink, a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously, and a name that brings joy and curiosity.
Our Fazool booking site and calendar drops in early July—and we can’t wait to hear what you think. Think Milan panettone tastings, Torino aperitivo hangouts, Alpine cheese quests, and wild garden lunches above Lake Como.
Join Me in Piemonte & Milano This Fall
October 16–24, 2025
We’re excited to share that a few spots are still open!
This fall, I’m thrilled to be hosting a small group trip through Milan and Piemonte—a deep dive into Northern Italy’s food, wine, and culture. Come join us!
This experience is co-led by Noa Emas, the brilliant wine director at Seattle’s beloved Spinasse—a Piemontese institution for nearly two decades. Noa’s deep (okay, let’s be honest—obsessive) knowledge of Piemonte’s food and wine is not only impressive, it’s contagious in the best way.
Together, we’ll get to know:
Nebbiolo, from the vineyard to the glass (we’ll be visiting 9 wineries in total!)
Winery dogs (yes, they're part of the charm)
The town of Bra, home of the Slow Food movement
And plenty of salumi, formaggi, and other regional treasures
We’ll begin in Milan—a city of art, design, negroni sbagliati, and some of the best risotto you’ll ever eat—before heading deep into the heart of Piedmont to meet the makers, taste exceptional wines at the source, and slow down.
There will be time for long walks, slow meals, and real rest.
6 guests. 2 guides. 4 spots left. For the full itinerary and details, write to me: risottoandsteel@gmail.com
Sounds perfect
Love this. I will share with all of my Italy travelers!