Local Flavor of Undici's Vic Rallo Infuses with TV in 'Eat! Drink! Italy!'

By Elaine Van Develde

It all started with an inherent love of Italy, food, wine and some YouTube video posts.

Fair Haven resident and restaurateur Victor Rallo mixed all the ingredients together, with a healthy dash of fan base and producer/director Marc Ganguzza, and got his new show Eat! Drink! Italy! which premiered on July 6.

“When it comes to food and wine, there is nothing more powerful than turning people on to the temptations of Italy," Rallo, a self-professed "Italophile," said in a released statement. "For thousands of years these people have used whatever grows outside their door to create the most delectable but simple dishes. When it comes to Italian wine, it’s all about passion and pride-the wine lover is always the winner. It’s all so seductive!”

The show was conceived by the owner of Red Bank's Basil T's and Rumson's Undici Taverna Rustica a couple of years ago when he realized that he might be onto something after having posted several cooking videos onto YouTube that had been filmed in Basil T's kitchen, according to a New York Times story.

Since then, Rallo culled his resources and set out for Italy with Ganguzza starting in 2011 through this spring to shoot show episodes an authentic atmosphere with indigenous ingredients, according to a release.

Thirteen filmed episodes and some sponsors later, Rallo's 30-minute show is now on the air on three PBS affiliates, WNET (New York City), WLIW21 (Long Island) and NJTV (New Jersey) Saturdays at 6:30, 2:30 and 5 p.m., respectively, the release said. Starting July 10, the show will have and encore at 8 p.m. on the public television network.

Filming for another season full of episodes has started as well, Rallo said in a launch party video.

Basically born into a foodie mindset with a family in the restaurant business, Rallo, in an uncanny educational background offshoot, has a law degree from Seton Hall Law School and a bachelor's degree from Villanova.

He left legal business behind in favor of a life of food and wine.

Each episode of Eat! Drink! Italy! brings "a small plate (of) options in an outstanding restaurant," to the viewers' tables, said Ganguzza in the release.

The first season episode menu, according to the release, is as follows:

• #101 – “Close to Home” Cheese artistry; in Piedmont, three quick recipes from Mama Maria-Summer: Bagna Cauda, Herb Fritters and Summer Salad; Vic tries organic beekeeping; Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) and Organic Honey; Tuscan Chicken Salad.

• #102 – “Art Imitates Food” Vic’s clean, simple and easy method for frying calamari; Moscato, Italy’s “Old New Kid on the Block;” Classic Bean Soup; wine and art.

• #103 –“Going Deep” A walk through Napolean’s ancient wine tunnels; terroir - how wine gets its flavor; experimental vineyards produce new superstars; Roasted Cauliflower Salad; Canederli (Tyrolean dumplings).

• #104 – “Popping the Cork” Yeast in sparkling wines; Bolito Misto mixed meats stew; superstar winemaker Hans Terzer; the truth about Balsamic vinegars.

• #105 – “You Can’t Judge a Book …” A visit to a fantasy wine cellar and wine label designers; organic winemaking – what to look for; 100 point wines of Giacomo Neri; Ribolita vegetables and bread soup.

• #106 –“Light and Luscious” Yodeling and food; light, healthy but faithful cream sauce; American food writer and wine author Alan Tardi in Piemonte; the history of wine writing; Chef Cervelli’s Prawns/Shrimp.

• #107 – “A Few Basics” Shopping in an open air market; simple but versatile Eggplant Caponata; risotto the right way; Sicilian sweets; wine traditions at the ancient Abbey at Novacella.

• #108 – “Put Passion in Your Pantry” Chef Salvatore Toscano’s Beef; Funghi Bruschetta; “wine couple” Rudy Kerschbaumer and Gabby Tauber; Emilia Nardi’s unique approach to wine making in Montalcino.

• #109 – “Gold in Them Hills” white truffle hunt; Truffles and Eggs; Plin (ancient stuffed pasta); wine maker Giovanni Folinari; Chef Stefano Cervelli’s Pasta with Sea Urchins.

• #110 – “Off the Hook” Vic visits a fish cannery and prepares sardines; the Cheese Taster; deMedici cookie recipe; Pappa Al Pomodoro (bread and tomato soup).

• #111 – “Two Passions” Vic visits world bicycling legend and winemaker Francesco Moser; Chef Francesco Bracali’s Tuscan Pork; ancient food writers; vineyard micro-ownership.

• #112 – “Rice is Nice” Italy’s unsung rice varieties; versatile Mascarapone cheese; Braised Beef, vineyard style; Italy’s young winemakers.

• #113 – “Party Dish” Bagna Cauda - Piemonte’s Party Dish; a wine family close-up; wine hotel; Chef Giovanni Bonavita’s Chicken Valdanese, a local classic.

Check out the preview video above.