Tony Piacentini is a Milwaukeean with Tuscan roots and Wednesday night he brought an old Sienese tradition to Brew City.

At about 9 p.m. at Libiamo, Piacentini and his Wednesday night gang held what might be the first ever Panforte toss in Milwaukee (to be sure, we'd have to ask some of the older Groppis or other Tuscans in town).

"Dean Cannestra (Libiamo owner) stated this will be an annual event for Libiamo, open to all," Piacentini said, "with weather permitting even holding it outside. As you can see we moved tables and played in the bar area, watching the Packers game at the same time."

The object of the traditional holiday game is to launch the flat, dense -- but oh so sweet -- Panforte fruitcake -- a Christmas treat -- across a table and get closest to the edge without said cake crashing to the floor. This is the first in what Piacentini hopes will be an annual event. All are welcome to come and join the fun, learn the game and work out the kinks.

The fruitcake -- not exactly a Panforte -- was made by Piacentini's cousin Paul Piacentine of Piacentine's Artisan Bread in the Milwaukee Public Market.

"Once we all 'dialed in' there were multiple 'hangers' per round over the edge," said Piacentini, who is pictured above. "We used an 8-ft. table .... static was built up on the Panforte while the landing and slide occurred."

Post a comment / write a review.

Recent blogs/briefs by Bobby Tanzilo

Blue in the Face returns to celebrate Shank birthday Tuesday In 2006, Peter Jest convinced the band to do a reunion gig at Shank Hall. Now, the band ...

Classic Stones disc can still get yer ya-ya's out Monday The 40th anniversary box set of "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!: The Rolling Stones in Concert" ...

Happy to be of assistance, Mitchell International Oct. 28, 2009 Milwaukee County annouced today that September was the busiest month ever at Mitchell ...

Rapid review: Palermo Villa Oct. 27, 2009 Although it has changed a bit over the years -- especially notable was the addition of ...