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Lido: Recipes and Stories from Italy's Beach Clubs
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June 27, 2026
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
LIDO are private beach clubs lining the pristine waters of Italy. They have been a staple in Italy for 3000 years, or more. Focus is on an experience that’s “dolce far niente” - a pleasant idleness. Strategically placed chairs capped with festively striped canopies, invite guests to sit and stay awhile. Many clubs provide everything needed for a successful day, weekend or full vacation, including food…glorious food.
Post WW2 began the heyday for LIDO escapes. Visitors from around the globe join Italians for seaside retreats and regional eats. Authors, Melissa Pellegrino and Matthew Scialabba, provide a no nonsense group of recipes divided into the customary Italian evening meal components: Aperitivi, Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolci. There are 59 recipes in this portion of the book with a few additional staples: 3 styles of breadcrumbs, Basil Oil, Pesto and Black Olive Pesto.
Featuring local, seasonal ingredients, with no regard to fat or calories, (hey, olive oil is a good fat, right?), these recipes focus on a memorable experience. A few of my favorites are: Limoncello Mojito, Blistered Shishito Peppers with Eggplant Purée, Roasted Fennel Salad with Warm Olive Vinaigrette, Mushrooms alla Milanese, and Affogato Leccese - an espresso
beverage poured over gelato. YUM! This section would be greatly enhanced if every recipe had a picture.
My biggest challenge with this book is how it’s packaged. Presenting like a textbook from years gone by doesn’t support the elegant contents. It’s done with quality, very heavy paper, large type fonts, ample white space, for those who like making notes; practically indestructible. Photo composition is personal and unique but the printed quality suffers, due to the paper they’re printed on. A lack of high varnish or photographic quality paper gives a dated feel.
Recipes & stories from Italy’s Beach Clubs, is the subtitle for LIDO. It’s a perfect description for the book. The beginning 2/3 is devoted to the authors reminiscing about their visits to the beach clubs. They highlight each club’s offerings, who the right type of visitor might be to enjoy it the best and a notable food they serve. This section is divided into regions of Italy. Readers can view them on a map that appears on the first page; very helpful and simple, like a grammar school textbook for geography.
LIDO is an unique book with a specific POV best suited for readers who enjoy travelogue books, unique cookbooks or are considering an Italian beach vacation📚
Thanks to the publisher and authors for providing a physical copy to be added to the Little Free Libraries in my development.
LIDO are private beach clubs lining the pristine waters of Italy. They have been a staple in Italy for 3000 years, or more. Focus is on an experience that’s “dolce far niente” - a pleasant idleness. Strategically placed chairs capped with festively striped canopies, invite guests to sit and stay awhile. Many clubs provide everything needed for a successful day, weekend or full vacation, including food…glorious food.
Post WW2 began the heyday for LIDO escapes. Visitors from around the globe join Italians for seaside retreats and regional eats. Authors, Melissa Pellegrino and Matthew Scialabba, provide a no nonsense group of recipes divided into the customary Italian evening meal components: Aperitivi, Antipasti, Primi, Secondi and Dolci. There are 59 recipes in this portion of the book with a few additional staples: 3 styles of breadcrumbs, Basil Oil, Pesto and Black Olive Pesto.
Featuring local, seasonal ingredients, with no regard to fat or calories, (hey, olive oil is a good fat, right?), these recipes focus on a memorable experience. A few of my favorites are: Limoncello Mojito, Blistered Shishito Peppers with Eggplant Purée, Roasted Fennel Salad with Warm Olive Vinaigrette, Mushrooms alla Milanese, and Affogato Leccese - an espresso
beverage poured over gelato. YUM! This section would be greatly enhanced if every recipe had a picture.
My biggest challenge with this book is how it’s packaged. Presenting like a textbook from years gone by doesn’t support the elegant contents. It’s done with quality, very heavy paper, large type fonts, ample white space, for those who like making notes; practically indestructible. Photo composition is personal and unique but the printed quality suffers, due to the paper they’re printed on. A lack of high varnish or photographic quality paper gives a dated feel.
Recipes & stories from Italy’s Beach Clubs, is the subtitle for LIDO. It’s a perfect description for the book. The beginning 2/3 is devoted to the authors reminiscing about their visits to the beach clubs. They highlight each club’s offerings, who the right type of visitor might be to enjoy it the best and a notable food they serve. This section is divided into regions of Italy. Readers can view them on a map that appears on the first page; very helpful and simple, like a grammar school textbook for geography.
LIDO is an unique book with a specific POV best suited for readers who enjoy travelogue books, unique cookbooks or are considering an Italian beach vacation📚
Thanks to the publisher and authors for providing a physical copy to be added to the Little Free Libraries in my development.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review