#carluccios

[moveleftslightly]

K, April 2016.

[digitalfountains]

Peach Kennedy by John Carluccio

[sciamaria]

[imrybread]

The Black Dragons Spy

Character Description:

Name: Bianca Carluccio

Age: 30

Race: Human

Place of Birth: Naples, Italy

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 132 lbs

Hair: Long, black, wavy

Eyes: Brown

Skin Tone: Olive

Occupation: Spy, Assassin

Affiliation: Black Dragon

Appearance:

Bianca is tall and lean, with a lithe and agile build that speaks to her proficiency in stealth and kombat. Her long, black hair often cascades down her back, but she ties it up when on a mission. Her brown eyes are calm and calculating, always observing her surroundings with a serene focus. Bianca has a smooth olive complexion, adding to her striking Mediterranean appearance. She wears form-fitting tactical suits inspired by the 90s spy era, complete with a utility belt packed with gadgets, hidden weapons, and a pair of sleek sunglasses that enhance her vision and hide her identity.

Backstory:

Born and raised in the bustling, crime-ridden streets of Naples, Italy, Bianca Carluccio was no stranger to the darker side of life. Orphaned at a young age, she was taken in by a group of con artists and thieves who operated out of the coastal city. This makeshift family taught her the skills necessary to survive: pickpocketing, lock-picking, deception, and, most importantly, how to disappear without a trace.

From an early age, Bianca displayed a natural talent for espionage and infiltration. She was a quick learner, mastering the art of disguise and the ability to mimic accents and mannerisms. Her prowess did not go unnoticed, and soon she caught the eye of local crime bosses, who began hiring her for more dangerous and lucrative missions.

By the time she was twenty, Bianca had built a reputation as one of the most skilled spies in Italy. However, the allure of petty crime began to wane as she sought greater challenges and rewards. It was during a high-stakes mission that she encountered Kano, the leader of the Black Dragon, who recognized her potential and offered her a place in his infamous mercenary group.

Joining the Black Dragon, Bianca found herself among like-minded individuals who valued her skills and shared her ruthless ambition. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of Kano’s most trusted operatives. Her missions now involved high-profile targets and international espionage, pushing her abilities to new heights.

Personality:

Bianca is calm, collected, and unflinchingly loyal to the Black Dragon. At least that’s what Kano believes. She is a master manipulator, able to charm and deceive with ease. Her upbringing has made her distrustful and self-reliant, but she has a fierce sense of loyalty to those who earn her trust. Despite her hardened exterior, there is a part of her that yearns for genuine connection, a remnant of the little girl who lost her family too soon.

Though her exterior is often cold and calculating, Bianca has a deeply caring and motherly side, especially towards younger or less experienced members of the Black Dragon. She often takes them under her wing, offering guidance, protection, and sometimes a harsh lesson in tough love. Her nurturing side is a stark contrast to her deadly skills, making her a complex and multifaceted character.

Abilities and Fighting Style:

Bianca’s combat style is a blend of traditional Italian martial arts and street fighting, incorporating elements of agility and precision. She is proficient with a variety of weapons, favoring throwing knives and garrote wires for silent kills. Her espionage training makes her a formidable opponent in stealth and intelligence gathering.

Signature Moves:

- The Italian Farewell: Bianca silently approaches her opponent, using a hidden blade to strike at vital points, delivering quick and precise cuts that incapacitate her enemy.

- Phantom Waltz: Utilizing her agility, Bianca moves swiftly and silently, evading attacks and repositioning herself to gain the upper hand in combat.

- Cloak and Stiletto: Bianca uses her environment to her advantage, creating diversions and distractions before delivering a fatal strike from the shadows with a stiletto blade.

- Serpent's Fang: A deceptive move where Bianca uses a concealed poison needle, delivering a quick and lethal dose to her opponent without them realizing until it’s too late.

Fatality:

- Venetian Veil: Bianca approaches her dazed opponent and swiftly throws a barrage of knives, pinning them in place. She then delivers a final, lethal blow to the heart, draping a black veil over their face and a sweet kiss on the cheek for good luck.

[captainclickycat]

Those posts that are like “normalise going out and doing activities alone” always feel so weird and unnecessary until you casually mention going to a film or concert by yourself to someone irl and they’re like “omg 🥺 that’s soooooooo brave 😲🥺😲🥹🥺 I could never”

[thereviewswriting]

Carluccio's Restaurant | The Reviews Writing

Experience the culinary magic of Carluccio's Restaurant through glowing reviews! Our guests rave about the authentic Italian flavors, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance. Discover why diners consistently praise us for exceptional dining experiences. Read the reviews that capture the heart and soul of Carluccio's, where every meal is a celebration.

[roesolo]

Two books for Back to School

I know, I know, don’t throw things at me! It’s only July and our kids have practically just started summer vacation (as my own Kiddo has told me when he sees school supplies on sale), but you want to have your books ready to greet the kiddos when they get back to school, right? Here are three good additions to your back to school collections. The Wild Guide to Starting School, by Laura & Philip…

[devouringcambridge]

Carluccio's in Cambridge

Located steps away from Cambridge's Grand Arcade, Carluccio's is an Italian chain restaurant boasting more than 30 locations spread out across the UK. It has a mediocre rating online, but when I came across it, I hadn't eaten yet that day (despite it being 4:30 pm) and it was pouring buckets outside. So, I ducked inside to avoid the rain.

Inside, it was cozy and spacious, with lots of fun confectionaries and baked goods to purchase. I lingered a little bit awkwardly near the Seating Sign for a bit, but once I did snag a seat in the mostly empty restaurant, the service was nice and efficient. So, what did I eat in Cambridge today?

Zuppa di Funghi - 7 out of 10 Chef Hats

Admittedly, this was my first time trying this style of mushroom soup, so I don't have much to compare to - but it tasted delicious! A blend of porcini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms, this soup was thick and comforting. Plus, it was really well seasoned...which is not something I can say about all the food I've tasted in Cambridge. It was salty and garlicky, with little bits of chewy mushrooms that made it fun to eat. It also came with a side of focaccia, which was decent - salty and light, but very middle-of-the-road.

I would have rated it even higher, but the soup had a slightly gritty texture. Again, I haven't tried other mushroom soups, so let me know if that's inevitable with this type of dish!

2. Chicken Milanese - 3 out of 10 Chef Hats

After the triumph of the mushroom soup, I was excited for my main - Chicken Milanese, which is a pan-fried, breaded chicken breast, accompanied by seasoned tomatoes and a side salad. Unfortunately, my tastebuds were disappointed.

While the chicken was hot and crispy, it lacked seasoning - or any flavor in general, really. I sprinkled some salt on top, but it couldn't save this dish from being bland and sad. The tomatoes, on the other hand, were definitely seasoned...but also tasted a bit like cleaning products? The tomatoes themselves were fresh and had a nice, soft - but not mushy - texture, and I can't say they were disgusting...but something was off there lol. I kept nibbling at them, wondering what combination of herbs was creating that artificial cleaner taste, but eventually abandoned the last tomato, confused yet somewhat intrigued.

Verdict: At 15 pounds for the Set Menu, Carluccio's is solidly...fine. I wasn't disappointed that I ate there, but if I found myself there again, I'd be more likely to test out their pastries and a coffee!

[dizzyduck44]

In honour of his home Grand Prix this weekend, here is an extract from the book I’m reading. Rupert (his former performance coach) describing how Carlos and he met.

“We met at Carluccio's on Fulham Road, he says with a smile of the first time he encountered the man who was to come with fondness to call him 'Ruperto. 'Carlos had a flat round the corner and it was clear he was a lovely guy. We got on very well. We were both juniors' - he is Carlos Sainz Jr, I am Rupert Manwaring Jr. Both our fathers had been in motorsport and we had both grown up with it so we had similarities and got on very well.

He was a really, really nice guy, very thoughtful, very considerate and also very enthusiastic, passionate about motorsport and you could see he had a deep desire to succeed.

When we met over coffee, you could see the desire, but until I started working with him closely I didn't know quite how competitive he was.'

Manwaring acknowledges he too is highly competitive and was then most impressed when they left coffee in Fulham behind and got to work, witnessing a driver he felt would leave no stone unturned in his determination to pursue his ambition of becoming a world champion.

I know every driver says they want to be world champion but it was how he said it, so convincingly; it was like something had switched in his head; it was like the cool, calm, chatty, fun-loving guy switched off, he says. 'His desire, his work ethic was there to back up what he wanted to achieve. I saw it at the first race, seeing how he prepares, seeing how focused he is just before he jumps in the car, and how everything else is locked out. We had gone from that nice, friendly coffee to seeing just how something in him switched and he was a difierent beast altogether and that's when I understood how much of a fighter, how much of a competitive beast he is.”

Source: F1 Racing Confidential by Giles Richards Chapter 8, pg 127

[nudesnoises]

John Carluccio

[vogueman]

Michael Cimino photographed by Carluccio

[digitalfountains]

Heather Parrish by John Carluccio

[shantismurf]

The Bagginshield Book Club is turning One!

Join us for the celebration of a year of shared fanfic and community with a two-part reading of the entire Mushroom Mine series by @chrononautintraining on

June 8th and 15th at 10am CDT (GMT -5)

This image was borrowed from the cover of a 1991 book by an Italian chef named Antonio Carluccio. His foundation website is very well done and now I want to buy the book because it sounds marvelous! https://antoniocarlucciofoundation.org/book/a-passion-for-mushrooms/

[pennsyltuckyheathen]

Commonwealth of PA supports women's rights. Republicans want government to intrude in an area where they have no business. Some want to even ban birth control - how 1970's of them.

All to garner votes from the Christian right.

You can bet if their mistress or underage daughter became pregnant they'd be the first to secretly seek out abortion. Hypocrites

[popnografico]

Michael Cimino by Carluccio 📷