American Couple's Culinary Journey in Italy: A Taste of Home in Calabria

The Calabria region, located at the southern tip of Italy, is known for its bold and intense Italian cuisine. In addition to the traditional dishes, locals enjoy spicy foods like sanguinaccio, a pig blood sausage, and pasta with 'nduja chile pepper salami.

This region is rich in ancient traditions, both cultural and culinary, and has remained largely unchanged for decades, if not centuries.

In a remote hillside village in Italy, where the culture is deeply rooted in tradition, it comes as a surprise to discover a restaurant owned by an American family serving American cuisine. The Fig restaurant, opened in late 2023, is run by Shannon Sciarretta from Florida and her partner Filipe da Silva from Rio Vermelho, Brazil. The village of Santa Domenica Talao, with a population of barely 1,000 people, is where this unexpected culinary gem can be found.

The couple sells American classics, like lobster rolls, Reuben sandwiches, chicken wings, tacos, and burritos on tables overlooking the main piazza. They also offer unique dressings like maple syrup and barbecue sauce that were previously unknown to villagers.

The idea for this unexpected eating venture came about when the couple, who had previously lived in Cape Cod and worked in the US restaurant industry, decided to make a fresh start. They were looking for a more affordable place to live and a better quality of life to raise their child.

Sciarretta tells CNN that she and her husband decided to raise their 3-year-old daughter Erminia in a small town in Italy. They were drawn to the town's rich history and the slower-paced, healthy lifestyle it offers.

According to Sciarretta, their decision to move was not about isolating themselves, but rather about fully integrating into the community. The locals have been supportive of their efforts to introduce a new cuisine that they had never experienced before.

Stirring things up

Santa Domenica Talao is a remote hillside village that’s home to barely 1,000 people.

Santa Domenica Talao is a remote hillside village that’s home to barely 1,000 people.

Claudio Giovanni Colombo/Alamy Stock Photo

Sciarretta, who holds citizenship in both America and Italy, had a desire to explore her Italian heritage before making the decision to relocate.

Her grandfather hailed from Minturno, a quaint fishing village located north of Naples. Having studied in Rome in the past, she developed a fondness for the Italian way of life. After navigating through the challenges of the Covid era, both she and da Silva felt ready to take the leap and selected Calabria as their new home.

"We absolutely adored Calabria, particularly Santa Domenica Talao," Sciarretta shares. "This charming hilltop town offers breathtaking views of the mountains. What truly sets it apart is the warm and welcoming community, untouched by the commercialism and tourism found in other places."

"In Santa Domenica Talao, everyone looks out for one another. Whenever someone is in need, the entire town comes together to offer support," she explains.

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Since opening The Fig, the pair’s creations have created a stir on Calabria’s sleepy Costa dei Cedri, or Citrus Coast, luring also mayors and luminaries who pick the restaurant for event lunches.

The new place is a big hit.

They offer American twists on Italian favorites, but it's the new and different dishes that are becoming popular with customers. These include southern American dishes such as biscuits and gravy for breakfast, pulled pork sandwiches, and a variety of Tex-Mex specialties like breakfast burritos.

Sciarretta mentions that it has been fun introducing Italians, who usually enjoy a sweet pastry with their morning coffee, to savory breakfast items like sausage.

Their peach whisky chicken over mashed potatoes has also been a hit, among others.

"We tried the pulled-pork sandwich with coleslaw and fried onion rings topped with a homemade BBQ sauce," Sciarretta shares. "Our Italian friends were amazed by the unique flavor and are eagerly waiting for its return."

Taco Tuesdays (and Mondays)

Ben DiRienzo and Chuck Stevens.

Tacos have proved very popular with the Calabrian locals.

Shannon Sciarretta

The main attraction is the extensive taco menu available on Monday and Tuesday nights, which is always fully booked. It appears that locals are absolutely obsessed with these "exotic" events.

“Our taco nights are extremely enjoyable, with a fantastic mix of Italians and Americans... it’s been a joy to introduce (Italians) to the concept of a street taco and show them how to eat it with their hands, rather than a fork and knife,” da Silva explains.

Sciarretta and da Silva hosted a festive Thanksgiving celebration last year and put together a lively Irish-American St. Patrick's Day weekend. They delighted diners, including American expats with Irish heritage, by serving imported Guinness and classic fish and chips.

Locals have been flocking to The Fig for breakfast options that are anything but ordinary. Guests can enjoy unlimited servings of authentic American drip coffee, alongside Italian espresso. The menu also features bottomless mimosas, oat milk cappuccinos, ginger molasses crinkle cookies, and mouthwatering sourdough bagel sandwiches.

The couple say moving to Italy has given them more time together as a family.

Sourdough bagels are also on the menu.

Sciarretta mentions that one of the initial items they brought in from the United States was high-quality maple syrup for their breakfast selection. The menu is usually straightforward, but they frequently offer special items like lemon poppyseed pancakes, panettone French toast, and smoked salmon bagels.

And let's not forget about the drinks! The couple enjoys using imported liquor such as Tito's vodka from Austin and Bulleit bourbon and rye from Kentucky.

Sciarretta, who used to work as a bartender, has a strong love for mixology. Her unique signature cocktails, like The Calabrese with Calabrian chili pepper-infused tequila, and the Black Manhattan with Kentucky Bulleit bourbon, Italian Amaro, bitters, and local amarene black cherries, are a hit among guests.

Ben DiRienzo and Chuck Stevens.

Courtesy Chuck Stevens and Ben DiRienzo

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During Taco nights, they offer a variety of margaritas, specialty mezcals, and Brazilian cocktails made with cachaça.

For dessert, you can enjoy 'espresso martinis' or Baileys Irish coffees.

The couple chose to cook American cuisine in Italy's deep south to bring a fresh perspective to the local culinary scene.

When she was in college in Rome in 2009, Sciarretta realized that the one thing the city was lacking was a diverse food scene.

"I adore Italian cuisine, having been raised in an Italian American household where we enjoyed traditional dishes like Sunday gravy and braciola every week, along with homemade pasta. However, growing up in America, I was exposed to a variety of cuisines from different cultures such as Mexican, Filipino, Thai, and Indian, which I missed in Rome."

“That’s where the idea of moving back to Italy to open a restaurant was born”, she says.

Building a bridge

The couple say moving to Italy has given them more time together as a family.

Jayda Iye

Another reason they decided to leave the US was the opportunity to find a more affordable home in Italy. When Covid-19 struck, they made the bold decision to move after discovering Calabria while browsing online.

Sciarretta explains that the housing market in the States is very expensive and was a factor in their decision to move.

Now, they have found a peaceful four-bedroom rural cottage with olive trees and vineyards. This setup cost them less than half of what a similar property would cost in Florida or Cape Cod, which is typically over $1 million. In their new home, they are able to grow their own produce such as jalapenos and cilantro.

When they embarked on their new venture, the idea of bringing a foreign cuisine into Calabria’s deeply-rooted food culture was “certainly scary,” says Sciarretta.

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"We were uncertain if we would be welcomed, but we decided to share the foods we enjoy cooking and offer a unique twist on their traditional products."

They believe that food is a means of cultural bonding, and they are happy to see locals embracing new and foreign flavors.

Moreover, they feel that opening The Fig has allowed them to spend more quality time together as a family.

Before moving to Italy, our lives were extremely hectic. We were constantly working multiple jobs, barely having any time for ourselves. But now, we have truly become a close-knit family unit," shares da Silva.

During restaurant hours, da Silva can be found in the kitchen, while Shannon warmly welcomes guests at the entrance. Their daughter happily assists by setting tables and lending a hand wherever she can.

“There are locals that come in with their kids her age and she sits down and eats and plays with them. It feels more like a community hang out than a business,” da Silva adds.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the unique culinary venture of an American couple who have opened a restaurant in the remote Italian village of Santa Domenica Talao. The couple's decision to bring American cuisine to this region known for its traditional Italian dishes highlights their desire to introduce new flavors and bridge cultural divides through food. Their success in attracting both locals and expats is a testament to the universal appeal of good food and the willingness of people to embrace new experiences.

The couple's journey also sheds light on the challenges and opportunities of starting a business in a foreign country. They had to navigate cultural differences, adapt to a new culinary landscape, and build relationships within the community. Their perseverance and determination paid off as they created a successful business that has become a hub for social interaction and cultural exchange. The article serves as an inspiration for those seeking to venture into the unknown and pursue their dreams in unfamiliar territories.