Maria managed the Compagno Family restaurant on St Charles Av for 30 years and is iconic for her great food and vivacious charm. Maria, a native of Ustica, was able to harmoniously combine native Sicilian cuisine with local tastes, as perfectly expressed in the sign that hung at Compagno's - Italian, Seafood, Creole. (Click HERE for an index for the recipe listing.) For some Usticesi-Americans, like myself, that never grew up under the influence of an Italian mother or grandmother, the book fills a huge void by providing a credible link, through cooking, to a great part of our Sicilian heritage. My copy already has grease stains on the cover and I can't imagine a more glowing endorsement than that.

Maria self-published 1,000 copies and only plans to sell them through word of mouth. I am proud to be able to offer them to our greater Usticese-American community. The cost of the book is $21.95. Shipping is $3.21 per book. Louisiana residents add $2.05 tax per book. Checks or money orders can be made out to "Maria Compagno". Please mail your order and payment to me at : Chris Caravella, 59 Allard Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119.

Buon appetito!

Chris Caravella