stopping at Vescovino in Panzano for an exemplery bisteca Fiorentina. In Bologna I would go to the starred Bitone where the exhuberant chef/owner will put the meal over the top then diet for a couple of days before spending the...

I think the key word here is VOLUME. For something special or non-common ingredient driven it’s almost always cheaper and less hassle to go out. Example: if I wanted to make Jamanican food I’d have to go out and buy...

The garden made a lovely transition from the drive to the meal — a place to relax, sit in the sun, chat with my fellow hounds, and set the mood of being in a special place. Also, I thought the sparkling water was...

. The gent next to me explained that it was a special preparation of a cut of tuna that is normally too tough and chewy to be served as sushi or sashimi. Traditionally, this marinated tuna is what the sushi chef eats for his own...

this person’s choice of restaurants to discuss on this board ( bagels and a greasy spoon) since Wendys and McDonalds are a staple of my families diet but...buddy you have picked the wrong neighborhood if you hate children-...

, as usual) was delicious. Nothing special or unexpected; no surprises, and that’s fine with me. I thought I had a lot of turkey leftovers, which I was happy about, because I was worried it wasn’t big enough. Well, I...

of the food as well as the price and are sensitive to issues of pesticides, hormone additives, etc. Eliminating most processed foods from your diet will save you money and probably be more healthful. Consider for an example,...

More specifically, sugo = “red gravy”, the tomato sauce that is the mainstay of the Italian-American (where I grew up, at least) diet. Every Sunday, Nonna would make the sugo and then put whatever meat we were having...

if it collapsed or maybe the other half was destroyed in a war or something. Views of the city of Avignon from the tip of the bridge are impressive. We found the market right inside the walls of the old city. It was nice, but...

classes always did something special for el cinco de mayo. There were always celebrations around Fresno as well.

some good frozen veggies than to fall back on carry-out fast food. Maybe that’s a baby step for them to a better diet down the road.

Yes, if the host says all you need to bring is yourself, the most gracious thing you can do is do what they say. Just bring yourself. A gift is sometimes appreciated but never necessary or obligatory. Part of what makes a gift...

this time you had lobster and I had chicken, but maybe next time, I’m pounding the drinks and you’re on the South Beach Diet of the week.. I know what you’re about to say (see? I also read minds) and we are all...

of the freak watching after 2am. A good mishmash of the late-night midtown crowd. Occasionally they throw in an interesting special. Last October featured pumpkin pancakes. Mmmm.

's about it. (Although , their diet ginger is actually one of the best, IMO.) On a slightly more serious note, I think the growing disconnect between innovative cooking and the desire to enjoy wine alongside a fine meal is very...