About Anna
From the cobblestones of Assisi to the heart of North Haven.
Where it all began
Born in Assisi, Italy.
I was born and raised in Assisi — the ancient hilltop city in Umbria, home of Saint Francis, where the streets are made of pink and white stone and the light at golden hour is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Italy gave me my language, my love of food, my sense of beauty, and my belief that the best things in life are shared around a table — or in a classroom.
I came to Connecticut many years ago, and this place became home. But Italy never left me. It lives in the way I cook, the way I teach, and the way I see the world.
Warmth
Every student is welcomed like a guest in my home.
Joy
Learning a language should feel like an adventure, not a chore.
Culture
Language and culture are inseparable — we explore both.
Community
La Bottega is a gathering place, not just a classroom.
Food and language are the same thing: both are ways of saying 'I want to share something beautiful with you.'— Anna Sincavage
A taste of Italy in New Haven
Skappo Restaurant.
For years, my husband Tom and I ran Skappo, an Italian restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. It was our way of sharing Italy with our community — through handmade pasta, regional wines, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a guest in someone's home.
Skappo taught me that food and language are the same thing: both are ways of saying 'I want to share something beautiful with you.' When the restaurant closed, I found a new way to do exactly that.
My approach
Learning Italian should feel like joy.
I don't believe in rigid grammar drills or intimidating textbooks. My classes are warm, conversational, and full of laughter. We learn the language the way Italians live it — through stories, food, culture, and connection.
Whether you're a complete beginner or brushing up on what you once knew, you'll find a welcoming space here. My students range from heritage learners reconnecting with their roots, to travelers preparing for a trip, to people who simply fell in love with the sound of the language.
Come as you are. We'll have fun along the way.
Meet Tom
Tom's pen & ink art.
My husband Tom is a talented artist whose intricate pen and ink drawings have delighted collectors for years. His work captures architecture, landscapes, and the quiet details of everyday life with extraordinary precision and warmth.
You'll find Tom's art on display — and available — at La Bottega. Prints and originals make wonderful gifts, and each piece carries a little piece of the world in it.
Ready to start your Italian journey?
I'd love to have you in class. Reach out and we'll find the right fit for you.