A DAY IN SORAGNA, PARMA WITH CARUSO

After spending a week in Puglia, Italy, our trip continued back north, where we spent 24 hours with Caruso Menswear in Soragna, Parma, Italy. The Caruso brand originally operated as a garment manufacturer until ex-CEO of Brioni, Umberto Angeloni stepped in. Angeloni, a well-dressed yet softly spoken gentlemen who has a love for good things, oversaw the Brioni brand for a quarter-century and helped define the brand in the men’s luxury market, but parted ways in 2007 by selling his interest and using the money to purchase Caruso. Now, Caruso manufactures for other brands and also produces its own label of luxury menswear products that Angeloni can simply describe as the “A Good Italian”.

It was interesting to see that the company is based in a remote town that’s known more for dry-cured ham rather than clothing, but rich in lifestyle, beauty, history and sophisticated food, Soragna seemed like the perfect location for someone like Angeloni. Inspired by his surroundings and the quote, “If you want to travel gaily, travel with good Italians”, by Ernest Hemingway’s “The Dangerous Summer”, it prompted Angeloni to produce a series of short films entitled “The Good Italian”.

Our arrival to Soraga was greeted and accompanied by Umberto himself, the much delightful Alessandra Alla, Head of Communications for Caruso, and Alessandro Agazzi, Sales Director for Caruso. As we stepped into the doors of the Soragna castle, dined in the Michelin-starred restaurant, Stella d’Oro, experienced an exceptional tasting of the Culatelli at The Antica Corte Pallavicina, and learned about the methods and quality control of Caruso’s products, it brought me back to the quote of traveling with good Italians and helped me define the Caruso brand. Thank you Caruso for sharing the experience!

Website: http://www.roccadisoragna.it
Address: Piazza Bonifacio Meli Lupi 5, 43019 Soragna, Parma, Italy

Set on a farm, this restaurant with rooms also holds The Cellars of the Corte, built in 1320 by the marquesses of Pallavincia, which were used for curing salami, maturing cheese, and aging wines. I was fortunate to experience their Culatelli tasting menu paired with matching wine, followed by a a beautifully crafted risotto dish, and finished with a selection of deserts.

Website: http://www.anticacortepallavicinarelais.com
Address: Strada Palazzo due Torri 3, 43010 Polesine Parmense, Parma, Italy

We stayed for one night at the Stella d'Oro Hotel but the most unforgettable experience was dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant (both dinner and breakfast) by chef Marco Dallabona. A must!

Hotel Website: http://www.hotel-stelladoro.it
Restaurant Website: http://www.ristorantestelladoro.it
Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini 8, 43019 Soragna, Parma, Italy

Address: Fabbrica Sartoriale Italiana, Via Croce Rossa, 2, 43019 Soragna, Parma, Italy
Website: http://www.carusomenswear.com