Italy August 22, 2011

Venice, Florence, Siena, Perugia, Assisi, Rome. Italy Album VENICE Antica Ostaria Ruga Rialto on Ruga Vecchia s. Giovanni for some cicchetti.  We found this cute little bar where some gondoleres were having beer in the bar and ended up for a sit down dinner in their restaurant.  The place was small and homey.  It is [...]

Oliveto Oceanic Dinner 2011 July 21, 2011

This year Oliveto did two Oceanic dinners one sourced from California and the other from the Mid-Atlantic.  At each dinner we had the majority of the menu.  Here were the highlights: California Coast Oyster Shooter nice and briny though bitter finish I still liked the texture. Halibut crudo great balance texture perfectly seasoned. Sea Urchin [...]

Oliveto Whole Hog 2011 **** March 11, 2011

Highlights were the terrine of pork trotters with spiced fruit compote, the proscuitti and the alla reuben preparation. Last night they were preparing the reuben with shoulder instead of tongue. We also enjoyed the polenta with ragu of pork heart and the chocolate caramel tart. The presentation of the zampone was fitting for the occasion, [...]

COTOGNA **’ February 2, 2011

They did a nice job of redesigning the former Myth Cafe space.  As a Tusk restaurant, it was no surprise that pastas were the standout.  The pasta w/ crab dish reminded me of the same dish in Cooking by Hand.Standouts: Ricotta crostiniPickled sardines crostini Pasta w/ rabbit Pasta w/ duck raguTortolloni w/ beet Sides of cauliflower, [...]

SPQR – January 2011 January 7, 2011

I had not been to SPQR after the arrival of Matt Accarrino. We finally made over and were not disappointed. The cooking has a more refined balance to it.  I’m not sure it’s because my memory has fadedm but the food was better than ever. California burrata crostino chili, blackberry honey, hazelnut, fried herbs – [...]

Pizzeria Mozza ***’ September 3, 2010

Pizzeria Mozza, as busy as I remembered it. Broccolini with chiles & vinegar – our favorite of the night. Arancine alla bolognese – o.k. Bone marrow al forno – The grilled bread makes this dish and Silverton’s bread is some of the best bread I’ve had. Calmari al forno with fagioli & oregano – liked [...]

Oliveto Whole Hog Dinner 2010 **** February 7, 2010

Nothing beats the special dinners at Oliveto. Even with my high expectations, I have never had a disappointing meal at this restaurant and I’m in good company. In order of most to least favorite dishes of the night:Antipasto of pork tongue, artichokes, and black truffles – tender pork tongue and quartered artichokes in a earthy [...]

LA CICCIA ***’ December 20, 2009

A recent visit to La Ciccia: Spaghittusu cun Allu Ollu e Bottarga – I can’t get enough of the creamy bottarga flavor of this spaghetti.  Our table unanimously agreed that it was our favorite. Spaghetti with Sea Urchin and Shrimp – a tomato based sauce, rich and creamy texture from the sea urchin that I [...]

INCANTO*** September 29, 2009

Every time I get close to the end of Church Street I start to crave tuna heart.  A specialty food from Sardinia that is the heart of tuna cured into a purple red colored meaty piece with a strong umami flavor.   Two restaurants in that neighborhood serve it shaved onto pasta.   It was a perfect [...]

Oliveto Tomato Dinner 2009 *** August 26, 2009

Tomato Bloody Mary – good fresh tomato flavor, not a heavily seasoned style of bloody mary; Lightness on the spices showed off the tomato. Insalate di carne cruda of Watson Farm lamb loin with green tomatoes and grappa* Crudo of salted Atlantic cod and local albacore with Black Cherry tomatoes, Lipstick pimentos, and almonds. Half [...]