Dinner with Artists at Alberto’s on Fifth.

Stevan Stanisic
May 8, 2014
2 min read

Dinner With Artists is a series of events sponsored by the Naples Art Association. Dinner with Artists brings together a chef (culinary artist) with a visual artist. I love these events. Besides learning about the featured artists’ craft, the food is wonderful. The initial Dinner with Artists was documented in a previous Post.

The artist that evening was Giovanni Lunardi. Mr. Lunardi is an interesting fellow. An Italian, after earning a Masters Degree in Geology, switched gears and became an internationally acknowledged fashion photographer.

The event was held at Alberto’s on Fifth, an Italian restaurant.

The Italian theme of this event coincided with the 3rd annual ArtsNaples World Festival which this year celebrated the cultural heritage of Italy.

Alberto’s on Fifth has a very nice outdoor as well as indoor dining area.

The chef, Alberto Varetto, received a Diploma Alberghiero De Cucina in Italy. This is a 5 year course in Hotel School with an emphasis on the culinary arts. He has trained and worked at some very good kitchens.

After a short address by the chef,

Mr. Lunardi was given a brief introduction by Aimee Schlehr, Executive Director of the Naples Art Association

and Jack O’Brien, Curator.

Mr. Lunardi then showed examples from his photographic portfolio

and shared stories of his many years in the “biz”.

While all this was going on, the food was served. There was a special menu for this event.

Bread was brought to the table

and was a mixture of White Italian Bread and Italian Olive Bread.

The appetizer was a sampler of starters served at the restaurant.

From left to right, roasted gulf shrimp, Parma Prosciutto, and Buffalo Mozzarella/tomatoes with a Balsamic Glaze along with Arugula and shaved Parmesan topped with Limoncello Dressing .