The Neapolitan Flip-Over Coffee Pot -- Part II

A French tinsmith invented the macchinetta Napoletana in 1819.  Not much is known about the pot's history beyond that, including when it was introduced to Italy.  Only in 1946 did the famous actor, Eduardo De Filippo, make the pot popular in his movie Questi Fantasmi or Three Ghosts.  De Filippo holds up the pot and says it's important to put a little paper cone over the spout while the water drains through the grinds;  this keeps in the aromas.

While during the early 1900's northern Italians had invented the espresso machine and coffee house culture took hold there, neither of these gained much popularity in the south.  Instead, even today, coffee is brewed mostly in the home.  While southern Italians now use the Moka pot, the macchinetta Napoletana still remains a quintessentially southern tradition.

This just in from a reader and on-line friend of mine:  Gilbert Milone.  He found his old grandmother's macchinetta napoletana and sent me the pictures.  She used this pot during the 1940's and 1950's -- a pot that is no longer available for sale in Naples or world-wide.  It's a true antique:

Thank you Gil for sharing these wonderful photos!

Amalfi... The Drive

Sorrento, Capri, and Napoli.  No, they aren't cities along the Mediterraean -- they're names of streets in the poshest area of Los Angeles, otherwise known as the Pacific Palisades.  The above mentioned cross-streets can be found along Amalfi Drive where the rich and famous of yonder and yore live.

James Whale committed suicide in his swimming pool here after making Frankenstein and a few other horror flicks.  Goldie Hawn resided along this street, as did Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys who brought hippies to his home, including Charles Manson.

At 1258 Amalfi, Nancy and Ronald Reagan had their happy home while Ronnie was a TV host and Nancy was what, back then, they called a 'housewife.'  The home is currently hidden behind vast shrubbery:

The Italian-American Sylvester Stallone from Rocky and Rambo once lived at 1570 Amalfi Drive, but the address no longer exists.

I thought I caught a glimpse of Sophia Loren eating Spaghetti Vongole, hoping Cary Grant would again return so that they could continue their film making and platonic relationship;  Cary Grant once lived at 1515 Amalfi Drive.  Two other personalities lived at that same address:  David Selznick from Gone with the Wind and Steven Spielberg.  Unfortunately, that number too doesn't exist anymore.

Instead, many of the homes along this street are gated with 'Beware of Dog' signs:

It's a wonder that the whole community isn't gated with such opulent villas everywhere, but visitors are few, except for the occasional travel writer who disturbs the quietude by snapping pictures of gardeners, gates, and Mercedes showing off in driveways (see first picture).

Stay Tune!  In January and February, I have two wonderful guest writers who will post fascinating Nooks of Naples right here at The Espresso Break.  Then in March,  my travel guide The Espresso Break:  Tours and Nooks of Naples, Italy And Beyond will be available on Amazon.com.  

My new website, California Notebook, officially launches on Thursday, January 5th!  The first posts up will be:  The Inventor of California Cuisine, The City Without Souls, and The History of Ufology.  In the following months, I'll roll out a California Mural Tour, I'll discover many "trails" (or Road Trips) from the Information Trail to the Literary Trail of California, and I'll interview inspiring people within the Epicenter of the Information Highway.

Happy New Year!