December 2009

Little Napoli restaurant was named the 2009 Business of the Year at the 12th Annual Carmel Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence dinner Thursday, December 3, 2009.

Vino Napoli is the wine bar, wine shop and tasting room affiliated with the legendary Pepe’s Little Napoli, Bistro Italiano. The wines featured at Vino Napoli are specially selected from partners and close friends of mine. All wines offered are available for retail sale and for tasting purposes. Light appetizers are offered also on a daily basis. Vino Napoli is fast becoming a locals hangout after work where friends meet up before dinner. The tables at Vino Napoli are communal, and our guests sit together and converse about wines and other topics of interest. Grazie &

Reprinted from Carmel Magazine, Winter 2010 — article by Renee Brincks Two decades after New Jersey native Rich Pepe opened his first Carmel café, his Pèpe International enterprise includes Little Napoli on Dolores Street in Carmel, Pèppoli at the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, Carmel Bakery on Ocean Avenue in Carmel, Pèpe Wine and Pèpe & Pants pasta sauces. In July, Pèpe opened Vino Napoli on Dolores Street in Carmel for wine tasting and light bites, just weeks after he cooked an Independence Day feast for 80 Kennedy family members in Massachusetts. What was it like to cook for

Ciao Amici (hello friends), We are excited to announce the arrival of Marchese Piero Antinori, our partner at Pèppoli at Pebble Beach. Piero, legendary ambassador of Italian wines will be here visiting from his home in Florence, Italy and will be here to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Pèppoli Restaurant. While this is certainly just a fraction of the over 600-year history of the Antinori family wine empire, we are all very proud of this accomplishment. Piero will be joined by his renowned chef Cinzia Nenci, from the Antinori estate of Fonte de Medici. Three wonderful events are planned and

On Friday, April 25th, it is time for our 3rd Annual Run/Walk on Carmel Beach with Jeff Galloway. Runner, walker, trainer, author, motivational speaker, race director and former Olympian…there may not be a stronger voice in the world of running & fitness today than Jeff Galloway. Jeff has developed a Run/Walk Program, which is designed so everyone goes at their own pace and accomplishes their own goals. Jeff has completed over 120 marathons and competed in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Little Napoli, my restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is a BRONZE LEVEL SPONSOR of the Big Sur Marathon, and this event coincides with

My dad, Johnny Pepe, and Frank Sinatra grew up together in Hoboken, NJ.  Back in the 20's and  early 30's the best place to hang around (if you wanted to stay out of trouble) was the Hoboken YMCA.  My dad wrestled on the team there, and Frank on occasion would  put on the gloves.  Frank's father fought professionally under the name of Marty O'Brien, but Frank soon realized he'd make a better singer than a fighter, and the rest is history! Frank Trivia: Frank was an only child and his mom and dad worked quite a lot.  Frank was never alone though,

  Community role models don't come any better than Kathy and Max Garcia. Owners and operators of Salinas-based Garcia Boxing, the husband-and-wife team runs a successful business and uses their success to reach out to help young people in the community. "Kids need to develop good character, good morals and healthy habits early," says Kathy. "Why wouldn't we want to provide that opportunity where we can?" Garcia Boxing has become one of the most respected boxing organizations in California and has generated a winning style in the ring and in the community. The training and national success of boxer Jose Celaya in

  Italians have gained great notoriety and fame in the boxing ring. In fact, three of the most famous boxing movies were biographies of Italians: Rocky Graziano (Somebody Up There Likes Me), Jake LaMotta (Raging Bull), and Rocky Balboa (Rocky). OK, that last one was fiction, but here is a short list of famous paisanos who held world championships. Rocky Marciano Primo Carnera Tony Galento Rocky Graziano Jake LaMotta Carmen Basilio Nino  Benvenuti Jimmy "White" Amato Marty Servo Tony DeMarco Ray Mancini Arturo Gatti Willie Pep The Greatest of them all! Rocky Marciano (September 1, 1923 - August 31, 1969), was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1952 to 1956. Marciano, 49-0 with forty-three

Hello Friends, On April 11, Garcia Boxing hosted its second annual "Celebrity Boxing for Charity" at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, benefiting the Kinship Center of Salinas. Famed boxing trainer Max Garcia asked if I would jump into the ring and be one of the celebrity boxers at his fundraiser. Before I had time to think I had said yes, and then wondered what I just got my self into! But Max agreed to train me at his gym in Salinas and I'm happy to report I am actually beginning to get into shape and learn a little about boxing. To be

At Pèppoli, chef Angela Tamura is passionate about the use of the highest quality ingredients available.  She shops as locally as possible, and often uses organically grown ingredients.  Also, the finest Italian imported products are used to create our own one of the finest representations of Italian food in America. To learn more about the Peppoli Vineyard and view the dinner menu at Peppoli at Pebble Beach, please click here.   Each year, I import exclusively for Pèppoli and Little Napoli in Carmel the wonderful olives oils from our partner Piero Antinori. The Antinori family does not send any of their olive oils

Glenn Salva has been responsible for all winegrowing activities for ANTICA NAPA VALLEY, the Antinori Family’s Napa Valley, California wine estate since 2002. Antica Napa Valley, with a perfectly harmonious blend of Tuscan and Californian styles in its DNA. “Antica” is a symbol for Antinori California and represents the realization of a long-standing desire to produce great Antinori Family wines in the Napa Valley. The first wines, a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2006 Chardonnay, were released last year to rave reviews and high scores. In addition to his Napa Valley responsibilities, Glenn also provides assistance to other Antinori wine