Oily fish has always been a staple of coastal cuisine.

Sardines, anchovies, mackerel: fish rooted in a daily, down-to-earth tradition built on what the sea provided each morning. A simple cuisine that makes the most of just a few ingredients and distinct flavors, deeply rooted in the Mediterranean.

The latest installment of Retrogusti’s “Tasting Stories” begins right here.

On Saturday, May 30, we’ll be at Lido Tiziana, a historic seaside gathering spot in Villapiana Scalo that opened in the 1950s and is now open year-round. Overlooking the Ionian Sea, we’ll be serving a lunch featuring bluefish and wines from the Calabrian region.

The menu features some of the signature ingredients of the Ionian coast and the inland region: from anchovies with white onions from Castrovillari—a Slow Food Presidium—to handmade fileja pasta with sardines, wild fennel, and cruschi, as well as grilled mackerel served with a citrus and Mediterranean herb-infused salmoriglio sauce.

The lunch will be accompanied by wines from Azienda Agricola Carlomagno and Cantine Viola, two wineries dedicated to showcasing the region through grape varieties and styles deeply rooted in Calabria.

As always, the tasting will also be an opportunity to share stories: stories of seafood cuisine, of the products of the Ionian coast, and of a culinary tradition that lives on through dishes that are simple only at first glance. 

Following that, starting at 5:00 p.m., the afternoon will feature a special event dedicated to the wines of Cantine Viola and Azienda Agricola Carlomagno, complete with glasses of wine overlooking the sea and a DJ set by Saro Costa overlooking the Ionian Sea. Access to the tastings will be available with a special ticket.