Calamari- Very fresh, if a teeny tiny bit soggy, but honestly, it was very good. I can say that truthfully because it was very spicy, and heat is just not friendly to my palate, yet I couldn’t stop eating it. San Danielle...

again. Allison tried a rather nondescript 98 Orvietto from an unknown producer while I had a glass of the 95 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino. Now this was more like it. It was a rich dark red wine with hints of fennel, leather and...

the traditional name of this recipe became Parmigiana di Melanzane from the Sicilian dialect word of Parmiciana. Shrimp fra diavolo is from the Amalfi coast. The Penne dish with cheese sauce, peas and prosciutto sounds like...

In southern Umbria near Lazio. It is the common pronunciation in Orvieto and in the small towns as you drive through Baschi, Terni, Narni, around Lago di Corbara. People kept correcting me. I finally asked friends and was told it...

I came across what I believe to be a SERIOUS wine bargain today at the Petaluma GO. 2003 “La Calonica” Vino Nobile Di Montepluciano, estate bottled by Fernando Catani for $2.99! This winery gets a very nice writeup in...

Applegate Farms has a really good organic spinaach and feta chicken sausage that is pretty readily available. I get it at my local natural grocer, but they have a product locator on their website. Also, Benetino’s Bistro...

. The funny thing about the food was that ‘when in Rome’ etc. seems to be true for McD’s as well. They had a salad bar that held beautiful fresh vegetables and fresh mozzarella.

Larton 2004 Argentina Chenin Blanc Ballentine 2004 Napa Viognier Consillence 2003 Santa Barbara Pinot Gris McMurray Ranch 2004 Russion River Riesling Trefethen 2003 Napa Vernaccia di Sangimiano 2003 Terrazz y Puthod Alluvium Blanc...

. Along with a Tenuta Caparze Moscadell di Montalcino, it was the perfect end to our simple and pleasurable Italian feast. Many thanks to Olivier for making this such a great night, in terms of food, wine and conversation. Le...

, is better than Hominy Grill for breakfast or lunch. I’ve been enjoying Modesto (with a few unfortunate exceptions) but I don’t think you want to do Italian in Asheville given Al di la and the pizza place you...

the unwise ones. For me, there is no way I’m gonna eat low-fat sour cream or fat-free mayo. I’d rather do without. That said, however, I love chevre and part-skim mozzarella and ricotta and Fage and mustard and...

dishes down to basic, it’s across the board just great. they also have some comfort beijing food that i like and isn’t fancy restaurant cuisine —- xiao shao bing with ji sung (chicken diced) and he tsai di mao...

, stir-fry mix that didn’t turn out so great) -Some frozen pizzas (2 Red Baron, 1 DiGiorno, although these days I don’t eat these as much as I used to. If I want pizza I’ll generally go for Papa Murphy’s,...

M-Su, Breakfast M-Su; 338 NW 21st Ave, Portland, 503.248.2202; http://www.kensartisan.com/ 3. Di Prima Dolci: Italian bakery and pastry shop. Several substantial items like stromboli and sausage bread. Fabulously light pignoli and...

neighborhoods, look for hyper neat and tidy houses converted to restaurants. This one almost never fails. Certain menu items signal to avoid a place: —i.e. fried cheese and fried mozzarella .and the bakery corollary: if the...