This is what Italy is all about.! Every region has its own specialty., I learned to cook from Italians in Italy. The hardest thing to do it cook with minimal ingredients. It is all about the technique and FRESH local ingredients. This series should be a weekly series that could go on for years. Every town or regions is a museum of gastronomy. Italians take pride in their unique quality of local ingredients and resources. You have to experience this first hand in Italy. Same ingredients made here is America won't work. In Italy you can hear a symphony of sound when you eat the foods. . Its an explosive experiences to your taste buds. This is why you can go to any continent in the world and find Italian food. Just not like its done in Italy. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the possibilities of the unique foods in Italy.
86 Reviews
Classic regional foods and the social structures surrounding them
jimkempster28 February 2021
Already fell in love with the first two episodes. The series is unlike any other travel or food show. I love Tucci's approach: classic regional foods and the social structures surrounding them. He and the people he meets reflect upon the food and their regions with joy, great pride, and that bittersweet blend of affection and wistfulness that each of us has for a home that has endured through decades (or millennia) of change, gentrification, and resilience. I can't wait for more.
Quintessential Italy
danmontgomery-985422 March 2021
After having spent my summers in Italy as a child and young adult, I always find time to return whenever I can, even though I am on the opposite side of the world. Stanley presents Italy as it should be, a view of its history, its people, it's tradition, and of course it's food and wine. What many reviewers and critics won't pick up on is the subtle nuances of each region the series covers, it opens a world of opportunity to both new and seasoned visitors to the flavor of The regions of Italy for all to take in, both tourists and off the beaten path travelers. I even learned a few new places to venture out to experience. Well done CNN and Bravo!
An absolute delight
GrantKanigan22 February 2021
With Tucci's natural charisma, excellent hosting, keen interest in rediscovering Italy, and chumming with the locals in their native tongue, this is a delightfully positive, informative and absolutely enjoyable docuseries. If you love food, travel or just learning about Italian culture, this is not to be missed.
Spot on
JeanBou16 February 2021
I have been to Italy on a personal trip (with an Italian-Canadian chef of all people!) and what they are showing is spot on. We've been to Naples, from Formia going through the region where they make the mozzarella di bufala, and that's exactly the feeling we had. The exceptional link to the land, the narrow streets of Naples, which felt like Rome's punk sister - an exceptional city on its own, being in the shadow of the Vesuvius ... and the food! Great, great work, and excellent host. Good to showcase the locals - and keeping it in the original Italian... get use to subtitles, that what makes it so authentic! Looking forward to the remaining episodes, hope Lazio will be in there.
It's what's you expect and Tucci is charming
patrickwelty18 February 2021
Ignore the Bordain comparison because this is a different personality and approach. Stanley lived in Florence with his family while young and is fluent in Italian. He knows what he's talking about. He has found some great chefs and regions to focus on and while I do agree that Parts Unknown were more entertaining from a cultural aspect this show is about the food. Tucci is not there to make friends and win hearts he focuses in history and simple recipes often. His voice is soothing and the show is relaxing while informative. When I learn new things about Italian cooking, after having watched pretty much every show out there, then I'm happy.
This is worth your family's time and it's well done. CNN nice job. Tucci nice job. Italy is a beautiful place that lives off of its food, who wouldn't appreciate this show highlighting such a simple concept?
Edit: so sad to hear this show was canceled today. Show business is tough but my family is thankful for Stanley and the production crew for what they presented. The two seasons we got were amazing. We hope this show is resurrected soon on a different network. Thanks Stanley, Italy shined with your help!
This is worth your family's time and it's well done. CNN nice job. Tucci nice job. Italy is a beautiful place that lives off of its food, who wouldn't appreciate this show highlighting such a simple concept?
Edit: so sad to hear this show was canceled today. Show business is tough but my family is thankful for Stanley and the production crew for what they presented. The two seasons we got were amazing. We hope this show is resurrected soon on a different network. Thanks Stanley, Italy shined with your help!
what a gem!
tymon_tm2 April 2021
Forget all those 'feel good' movies or comedy shows - for relaxing times, make it Stanley Tucci time...
this show is like Italian cuisine - simple yet beautiful, tasty yet very low-key. Walking with Tucci from joint to joint, re-discovering all those (in theory) familiar tastes is soothing and relaxing, and it leaves you with even greater appetite both for food, and for life in general.
Stanley Tucci himself strikes me as a reasonably (he's still a holywood star, mind you) humble guy, who still has this grip on reality, that is frequently, if not always, absent in people of certain status. There are no coerced laughs, no forced bonding, but we get a lot of "human touch" on this very basic, and - especially today - so much desired level. And I believe the credit goes equally to Tucci and all the people he meets along the way.
Combined with breathless shots, great recipes (most of them you can try to recreate at home... to a certain level of course) it's the ultimate show to relax, have a laugh or two, and regain some of that positivity that's definitely been lost during last 12+ months...
this show is like Italian cuisine - simple yet beautiful, tasty yet very low-key. Walking with Tucci from joint to joint, re-discovering all those (in theory) familiar tastes is soothing and relaxing, and it leaves you with even greater appetite both for food, and for life in general.
Stanley Tucci himself strikes me as a reasonably (he's still a holywood star, mind you) humble guy, who still has this grip on reality, that is frequently, if not always, absent in people of certain status. There are no coerced laughs, no forced bonding, but we get a lot of "human touch" on this very basic, and - especially today - so much desired level. And I believe the credit goes equally to Tucci and all the people he meets along the way.
Combined with breathless shots, great recipes (most of them you can try to recreate at home... to a certain level of course) it's the ultimate show to relax, have a laugh or two, and regain some of that positivity that's definitely been lost during last 12+ months...
Deliciously Beautful
dee_uson31 January 2022
I absolutely love this series, and being narrated and hosted by Stanley Tucci is even more wonderful than anything I've ever watched in this genre of real local cuisine. He has a graceful persona that just captivates the story of the food as if you are experiencing the flavors, freshness and textures with him. The scenery is always beautiful and the stories of the people just warms my soul. I hope he continues his travels and shares these amazing experiences for those who can't visit Italy. I am definitely searching for these recipes to try at home!
Taken the Bourdain Torch and running...
davidoliverjones16 February 2021
I want to go !
wjosephjorob22 March 2021
We LOVE this show!
Expat-in-America17 April 2021
Our family has had a weekly pasta night for years, and now it's even better because we watch Stanley travel across Italy eating amazing food while we sit back and watch! We learned so much about the food, culture, and history of each region, it's not just food. Stanley goes beyond the usual 'beautiful wine country and spaghetti' type stuff you usually get in travel food shows set in Italy, to showcase lesser known areas and trivia. A must watch for travel and foodie fans!
Better than all the rest
NanoFrog31 August 2021
Tucci takes you on a real deal tour of Italian cooking and ingredients and it's people and culture that is sparkling and fresh. He visits the cuisine of the poor and the rich, of the establishment masters and the young rebels. Unlike shows with an obnoxious UK host overplaying his own part, Tucci being Italian the show has a sweet, refined Italian hospitality and grace to it that is a great addition to the whole process. I moved to Italy 17 years ago after marrying an Italian from Bologna and we both think this is a great culinary adventure series. It is emotional and quite revealing.
The ugly American with a limited vocabulary...
brentbetz4 July 2022
Interesting people, places, and guests tempered by a sometimes ill-mannered narrator who seems to limit himself to three words describing good food: "Jesus!" or "Goddamn!" or "Perfecto."
I was taken aback by his attempt to provoke a gentleman in Lombardy who was kind of enough to host Tucci on his boat on Lake Como and later made him a meal in his home. While the man makes dinner for him, Tucci makes a point (after picking his nose - delightful) to incite unsolicited disagreement about an Italian politician he obviously knows nothing about. The host is too good natured to take the bait - smiling, offering a plate, suggesting they talk about the food/beauty of the region (Lake Como) instead - and innocently leaves Tucci looking like the ignorant, arrogant dick he most certainly was at that particular moment.
Still worth watching - the cinematography is wonderful, the people are fascinating, and the food of Italy is showcased in all the glory it deserves.
I was taken aback by his attempt to provoke a gentleman in Lombardy who was kind of enough to host Tucci on his boat on Lake Como and later made him a meal in his home. While the man makes dinner for him, Tucci makes a point (after picking his nose - delightful) to incite unsolicited disagreement about an Italian politician he obviously knows nothing about. The host is too good natured to take the bait - smiling, offering a plate, suggesting they talk about the food/beauty of the region (Lake Como) instead - and innocently leaves Tucci looking like the ignorant, arrogant dick he most certainly was at that particular moment.
Still worth watching - the cinematography is wonderful, the people are fascinating, and the food of Italy is showcased in all the glory it deserves.
It's put me off Stanley & almost Italy!!
keithfmanaton8 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The first couple of episodes were good, ten I realised that the rest was exactly the same just different locations. Every cook, farmer, olive grower would say how special, important unique they were. Stanley would blow smoke up them coooing & oooing over their produce or food. Repeat endlessly wow, how incredible, amazing, gorgeous, etc even history in a mouthful half a dozen times. There was little social history other than another repetition of how peasant sustenance food has become fashionable and expensive. Every area had the best or world beating olives.... But all seemed to use dried spaghetti made in the Netherlands. I longed for it to end. Sad as there was some beautiful scenery but in the end everyone was the same.....
Honest and in his voice
bradalderson22 February 2021
There is no 8.5 stars
greenfairy681 September 2021
Ciao Stanley! If you ever read this, I want to tell you that I was living in Firenze at the same time you were there in 1972 so I can completely relate to what you were experiencing. Of course I'm older - I was attending Study Abroad in my Jr. Year a Firenze but I did travel to a few of the places that you are showing. My love of food came after I left Italia and came back home. I was never really interested in food but now I'm a fanatic and am soooo happy that you are doing this documentary. I'm watching the last episode tonight and I hope it continues. I started with Toscana, of course.
Grazie mille for doing this and buona fortuna for continued success!
Grazie mille for doing this and buona fortuna for continued success!
Perfect...
timothy-price-794-58132827 November 2022
I cannot fault this in any way. Showing the real Italy, and Tucci just handles it perfectly. As well as a truly brilliant actor, he is just a gentle guide who just allows the people and places to speak for themselves. Shows us things you just would not know what was happening behind the facade that you normally see. His love of everything that is Italy, the food, the rustic preparation, is just a delight. And the people just obviously love their life and lifestyle, and it shows. And to cap it all you have as the background, the most beautiful places in the world. Be it countryside, sea, gorgeous towns, villages and cities. This just could not be bettered as a food and travel tour, in the most capable of hands.
Excellent
gregandkathyschmidt25 March 2021
Stanley Tucci's affectionate cuisine tour
gortx22 March 2021
Italian-American Actor Stanley Tucci's series Searching For Italy with Six episodes each devoted to the foods of a different region of Italy (Amalfi, Tuscany, Rome, Bologna, Milan and Sicily). The show is kind of a follow-up to Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown, but, it's less adventurous as it focuses only on one country. Still, Tucci is a genteel host who clearly loves his ancestral country -- and it's cuisine.
The show has already been picked up for a second season. Drinking game - every time Tucci bites into a plate of eats and exclaims 'Oh, my God!" (or some variation) take a swig of wine. You'll be drunk by the end of each episode.
Buon Appetito
It's Italy and Food: What's Not to Like?
leftbanker-111 March 2021
You just need to get over the fact that he's not Anthony Bourdain. No one is. Give this show a chance. Episode 1 was turning into the typical show about Naples and pizza and tomatoes and the volcano, and whatever. Not too interesting, but then he went up into the mountains to cook rabbit.
He had me at rabbit. Why Americans don't eat rabbit (except hunters) is a mystery to me and anyone who has ever cooked it in any way, shape, or paella. Let there be a rabbit in every pot! In truth, I want to like this show more than I do, but times are hard now and my cupboard of possible videos is empty. I may have to even break down and watch that series of the tiger guy with the mullet. Save me!
From there they made a zucchini dish that I have to replicate. Bourdain rarely cooked on his show. I'm not complaining, I'm just passing along a fact.
"Oh my god." He needs another superlative, or just skip that part. It starts to get really annoying and someone in the production process should have pointed this out to the host. I'm usually annoyed when on food shows they heap praise on a dish. We can't taste it, so, just shut your trap and eat.
I hate to be a stickler, but Tucci needs a lot of work on his Italian. He certainly speaks it better than his predecessor Bourdain who had an Italian wife and could barely say "please" and "thank you." However, Tucci should be completely comfortable in this language as he's Italian-American and rich (at least richer than I). He tries to make out like he's fluent while it's painfully obvious that he's severely limited in his Italian conversational skills. That is no crime, but dude, hire a tutor!
There are some great moments on the program and it looks spectacular at every corner bar and landscape.
He had me at rabbit. Why Americans don't eat rabbit (except hunters) is a mystery to me and anyone who has ever cooked it in any way, shape, or paella. Let there be a rabbit in every pot! In truth, I want to like this show more than I do, but times are hard now and my cupboard of possible videos is empty. I may have to even break down and watch that series of the tiger guy with the mullet. Save me!
From there they made a zucchini dish that I have to replicate. Bourdain rarely cooked on his show. I'm not complaining, I'm just passing along a fact.
"Oh my god." He needs another superlative, or just skip that part. It starts to get really annoying and someone in the production process should have pointed this out to the host. I'm usually annoyed when on food shows they heap praise on a dish. We can't taste it, so, just shut your trap and eat.
I hate to be a stickler, but Tucci needs a lot of work on his Italian. He certainly speaks it better than his predecessor Bourdain who had an Italian wife and could barely say "please" and "thank you." However, Tucci should be completely comfortable in this language as he's Italian-American and rich (at least richer than I). He tries to make out like he's fluent while it's painfully obvious that he's severely limited in his Italian conversational skills. That is no crime, but dude, hire a tutor!
There are some great moments on the program and it looks spectacular at every corner bar and landscape.
PLEASE do more countries!
billsoccer23 March 2021
He's a character, and interesting one. I loved watching Anthony Bourdain travel the world and eat, and I love this series. You see geography, history, culture, and of course the food! I hope Stanley retires from film and takes this show on the road to other cultures.
Quite tremendous
A78_29 March 2021
Having travelled to most of the regions in the series many times, having friends in diffeent areas and having lived with italians, to witness such a wholesome, kind and endearing testimony to the beauty and complexity of Italy is quite magical.
With Stanley capturing the essence of the finer charachteristics of the italian psyche with his own background giving exceptional credibility and the obvious sincerity of his joy and identity in engaging with the people and experiences, the story told is such a love story that captures the viewer in a quite special documentary style production. This is a must watch for anyone. The cinematography, the cutting and audio are exceptional and really strike a note of closeness and realness. Kudos to Stanley for involving his family and bringing an intimate and private aspect to the storyline that really gives the entire narrative an excpetional angle of authenticity. Personally I truly hope there will be further series.
With Stanley capturing the essence of the finer charachteristics of the italian psyche with his own background giving exceptional credibility and the obvious sincerity of his joy and identity in engaging with the people and experiences, the story told is such a love story that captures the viewer in a quite special documentary style production. This is a must watch for anyone. The cinematography, the cutting and audio are exceptional and really strike a note of closeness and realness. Kudos to Stanley for involving his family and bringing an intimate and private aspect to the storyline that really gives the entire narrative an excpetional angle of authenticity. Personally I truly hope there will be further series.
Tucci Perfecto
bmillar694 March 2022
1st review ever ,,this series is amazing ,Stanley Tucci,s Italy is a wonderful piece of film making ,makes me yearn to go to Italy again,,his story telling is 2nd to none ,this is on a par with Bourdain for a travel ,culinary show ,,,1st class ,bellisimo...
Perfectly timed show during Int'l travel restrictions
rayytseng29 August 2021
Stanley Tucci is at his best when he pays homage to his Italian roots and allows the differences of the regions to shine through. We meet passionate local artisans with pride of their most representative dishes. For those of us who knows only of the country by its superficial culinary expressions such as pizza and pasta, learning about the varieties are welcoming, especially during a period when most of us cannot travel. It is the right fantasy delivered at the right time.
Of course, a show about the diversity of a country may also reflect the different politics of its people, as this one does. This unfortunately punchers the fantasy bubble and reminds us all that division is alive and well not only in our own country. Those who share Tucci's leanings will be supportive while others will find it's a key reason to reject this show.
My family is mostly grateful for the show as I was immediately able to cook a proper spaghettini carbonara for the first time ever. 😅
Of course, a show about the diversity of a country may also reflect the different politics of its people, as this one does. This unfortunately punchers the fantasy bubble and reminds us all that division is alive and well not only in our own country. Those who share Tucci's leanings will be supportive while others will find it's a key reason to reject this show.
My family is mostly grateful for the show as I was immediately able to cook a proper spaghettini carbonara for the first time ever. 😅
The culture and food are great - Hold the politics!
bill-8870610 November 2021
The series does a very good job showcasing the culture and cuisine of Italy but Tucci's rank political activism is inappropriate and insulting. He uses the Italian culture as a vehicle for his stupid liberal politics. In episode 3 it was clear the person who was escorting him around Cuomo had no interest in hearing his political nonsense. At the end of the episode Tucci went so far as to insult his host. It seems this type of programing is all to common in the HBO universe.
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