I will never forget Piccino’s opening days. I was in the kitchen back then and plating salads on Loring's (Margherita's husband) beautiful pottery. Just looking at them gave me great joy, but seeing them in action and sharing them with our customers made it even more special. After all, these are the kind of plates I would want to use in my home!
When we conceived of Piccino, Margherita and I envisioned Loring’s pottery as integral to the gestalt of the restaurant....and we still do. Some of the sculptural pieces in the dining room were made over 30 years ago, in another life, when Loring was consumed by a passion for ceramics; others are the bold but nuanced vases that hold the flower arrangements I make every week. The majority of his work, though, we hold in our hands everyday - they are contemporary pieces that hold our food with flawless functionality and grace.
Loring lived in Japan when he was a child, and that experience influenced his taste and his aesthetics. Above all he has boundless confidence in the medium, and the clay simply loves his hands! Each piece has its own distinct feel, color, weight and shape, and one can become attached to a particularly knobby tray or squatty cup. At home, I have my favorite macchiato cup, serving platter and soup bowl.
It's not surprising that we're often asked to sell his pottery. The good news is that now, not only do we have space, but Loring has a bigger, better kiln and (a little) more time to throw pottery. You can find his earthenware on the shelves of our Coffee Bar. Disclaimer: selection will always be limited. :)
We are thrilled to finally give you the opportunity to share and own some of these beautiful pieces. Enjoy!
Sher
