food – as we venture

Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

August 11, 2020August 30, 2020cooking, Uncategorized2 Comments

I love YouTube and spent one evening searching through new food channels and stumbled on Lidia Bastianich’s page. I must have watched 15 of her videos’ in a row because she is so confident and approachable about cooking. During the pandemic I have been making all my meals. Where is my award??? But seriously, thanks to Lidia I have added new meals into my rotation.

This spaghetti dish requires a handful of ingredients and is still extremely flavor. I highly recommend making this dish while tomatoes are in season. So now, run don’t walk to your garden or the nearest farmers market.

Recipe via Lidia Bastianich website and watch her video below.

Lidia in action

I can’t wait to make this again, hopefully for a group of people. Feel free to substitute the ricotta salata, if you can’t find it in store, I used parmigiano-reggiano. This recipe goes fast so get organized and be ready to sit and eat once you add the tomatoes and cheese. Don’t clean any dishes, go eat.

Mangia bene!

Milan, Italy

April 10, 2017September 20, 2017duomo, italy, milan, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

Milan is the fashion capital of the world for a reason. It is really inspiring to see style both in the architecture and in dress. Everywhere you turn there are people with vibrant attire juxtaposed against gray marble. Besides taking photos, my only agenda was letting my Italian friends allow me to eat my way through this metropolis city.

Milan is formed in a circular formation and the center ring includes the top sights such as the Duomo, Vittorio Emanuele Monument, Royal Palace, The opera house- Teatro alla Scala and at the very edge, Castle- Castello which continues on to Sempione park.

My home base was near the Duomo, so heading south down Corso di porta Ticiense was our regular strolling route. On the weekends, this area comes alive with a sea of people hanging out in the area of Colonne di San Lorenzo all the way up to the square of Porta Ticinese. Pro tip: give your self time to wander in and out of the boutiques that line the streets or a long lunch.

My four days in Milan wasn’t enough because there is true intimacy that Italians offer. After my first lunch service lasted two hours, I decided I would return, which made my experience less focused on checking off a list of to do’s. My advice, let your own agenda melt away. Commit to conversations, ask questions and you will end up learning more about wine, winemakers, food and other parts of Italy during four hour meals.

The city from the ground is breathtaking, but I highly recommend going to the top of the Duomo. Plan ahead by buying your ticket(s) at the booth one day prior, the only wait you will have is up the steps or the elevator ride. I purchased a non-elevator ticket because the line is shorter and the price slightly cheaper. If you’re fortunate to be above the city on a sunny day and you can see Milan for miles, but no matter the weather, you will have an up close introduction to the painfully detailed architecture that took six centuries to complete. Its truly awe impressing.

My favorite’s list:

A must visit- Duomo
Shop & eat @ Excelsior Milano
Sip and view @ Terrazza Apero
Shop for shoes @ Michele Lopriore
Have wine and apps @ Alle Zitelle

There’s A New Bagel Spot In Town

August 17, 2015August 12, 2015cafe, foodLeave a Comment

I’ve been hearing about Black Seed Bagels long enough. This past Sunday, I went and I ate. There are endless combination, for example cashew cheese kale maramalade roasted beet on a poppy seed bagel, but I wanted keep it simpe to see if the ingredients are really amazing. I chose smoked bluefish spread and tomatoes on a toasted sesame seed bagel. It was excellent, I mean really, really good. The fish spread wasn’t too salty and the bagel had a great doughy center. I wish the actual bagel was bigger, but in the end it was filling. A true weekend delight.

Brunch @ Cafe Periscope

August 9, 2015August 6, 2015restaurantLeave a Comment

Looking for a quick place to have brunch, I stumbled by this unsuspecting eatery, Cafe Petisco. There was a 10 minute wait for a table, which means, I was late to the game on this spot.
I enjoyed my meal along with the decor of this Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cafe. I only wish there was more smoked salmon with my meal. The tea service in a the metal cafe was a great touch. Overall, this is a quaint place, relaxing and a good alternative from the trendy places near by.

The East Village Institution

July 30, 2015July 30, 2015dining, food, restaurantLeave a Comment

I’d walked pass Frank Restaurant years before I stepped inside. Always noticing the white picket fence and thinking next time. Once I learned The Meatball Shop founders got there kitchen expertise at this place, I went.

Now, this is my default eatery for a mid-week meal for two. I’ve never make a reservation and have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a table. There is no bad seat in this establishment because the food is amazing. I would stand and eat, to be honest. This is great Italian food just the way I like it, saucy.

Service: Attentive and you can sit for hours.

Food: Authentic and hearty.

Decor: Dark, romantic and rustic.

Beverage: Full Service bar.