One of the signs that Christmas is around the corner is that panettone sales start popping up everywhere. I love them and I love looking at the vast array of packages, each one more beautiful than the next. It’s true that Italians don’t go in for a lot of holiday decor, but they do love…
When in Rome
Aromaticus
Aromaticus in the Monti area, Via Urbana 134, is quite a few things to its clientele: purveyor of specialty fresh herbs & greens, sales of garden supplies ranging from organic fertilizer to seeds to gardening tools, Monti area rooftop and garden consultants and last but not least restaurant service for light lunches showcasing the greens…
Hotel Locarno, Via dell’Oca & Via della Penna
Just around the corner from Piazza del Popolo you’ll find a short two block street, with a different name for each block: Via dell’Oca (Goose street) and Via della Penna (Feather street), so I guess you could simply call the street goose feathers! I love this street because it’s a peaceful oasis in the midst…
Puntarelle salad
Every time I go to the market I find something new and fascinating. Usually it’s the food; some prepped and ready to cook vegetable dish or a new seasonal arrival at the market that merits being photographed and then eaten. I also love to chat with the vendors and see what they’re up to….
Pasticceria Mondi
At Pasticceria Mondi you’ll find delicious mini-sandwiches; these are filled with sliced kiwi and brie, a refreshing change from your usual sandwich option. I’ve been going to the Pasticceria Mondi regularly for about twenty years now. It’s privately owned by the Mondi family who reside near Bevagna in Umbria. The pastry chefs who produce Mondi’s…
“Tiella” from the Gulf of Gaeta, Southern Lazio
Sperlonga has been just about my favorite place on earth for well over twenty years. When Giulia was little we used to spend the month of June in a spartan, but charming beachfront apartment. Back then I was the only foreigner in Sperlonga, literally. Only the big hotels (and big still meant fairly small and…
Millefoglie from Rome’s Cavaletti pasticceria
If I hadn’t been thinking about the Royal Wedding, and reading all about the Royal Wedding cake and then thinking about Queen Elizabeth in general this particular millefoglie cake wouldn’t have pushed itself up to the forefront of my thoughts and inspired me to get in my car this morning to head to the Cavalletti…
Easter Tradition: Chocolate Eggs and Colomba
The Viani Bar in Morlupo, just north of Rome, not only has wonderful breakfast pastries, great sandwiches and home-made ice cream. It also prides itself on always having fabulous decorations and edible gifts for every holiday. I had lunch there today and was mesmerized by the gorgeous Easter eggs and Colomba (traditional Italian Easter cake)…
A Visit to Preferred Meats with the San Francisco Professional Food Society
Ugandan born Bala Kironde, with his soft spoken elegance, provided members of the San Francisco Professional Food Society with an outstanding tour of his company, Preferred Meats. Bala Kironde’s father was a Ugandan diplomat turned farmer. On his extensive property holdings a vast assortment of fowl were raised. One of 16 children, Bala Kironde completed…