Delicious Distractions

I often lie, to myself as well as others, that my least favorite place to meet with chefs is in their own restaurants, because of all the distractions. But the truth is that, while it might not be the most productive venue, I actually love working in restaurants. Love breaking one of the hospitality world’s many fourth walls by moving the pre-set silverware and glasses to the next table. Love the ready availability of food and drink. And, as a writer spends most of his time alone, I love the presence of all the people; the more the merrier. Continue Reading…

The Lesson On How To Slice Salami You Never Knew You Needed

No one can say Italians don’t take their football (meaning soccer) seriously. However, they take their food just as seriously, and when the two collide, well, let’s just say there is literally singing in the streets. One of the most memorable meals, of sorts, I had while in Florence was spent among a sea of purple jerseys in a trattoria indulging on passed dried meats and cheeses and copious amounts of red wine on the occasion of a match between ACF Fiorentina and rival Juventus. Spirits ran so high that day that the game had to be halted when the police threw tear gas into a section of overly enthusiastic Juventus supporters. You know those screaming fans are just as impassioned when it comes to their plates as they are the pitch. Continue Reading…

The Sweet Chinese – Italian Connection

The 2012 year of the dragon, Chinese New Year is quickly approaching on January 23rd (4710 in the old calendar as I calculated from Wikipedia).  And so, I started to wonder if there were any real relevant connections between Chinese and Italian food.  My curiosity, led me to do a little bit of light research which resulted in a much more interesting tale than I could have imagined.

Of course we all know the Marco Polo story.  Our boy starts off in Italy, makes his way to the Orient, kicks his heels back a while and then finally returns about 17 years later with noodles in hand.  And presto!  Macaroni is born. Continue Reading…

What’s at the Center of Your New Year’s Table?

We all have our holiday rituals. On Christmas Eve in my house we’ve always put out the seven fishes, offering explanations (with varying degrees of plausibility) as to just what the meaning of this meal might be, though all agreed that the Catholic prohibition against eating meat for the day dictated the menu. The seven fishes were always followed by an orgy of sausage and peppers at midnight, served up by my grandmother at the first moment ecclesiastical law allowed us once again to consume meat products.

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The Christmas Nut

A few days ago, notably a week before Christmas, the conversation with my mother went something like this:

Momma: So what are we making for Christmas Day?
Me: Turkey?
Momma: No.
Me: I don’t know, hmmm, roast pork loin? That’s always good.
Momma: Yeah, I suppose we could do that…now what on the side?
Me: Well, the usual, roasted red potatoes, apple sauce, broccoli rabe and of course…
Momma: Chestnuts!
Me: Yes, chestnuts!

Now if you knew my mother and I, you would know we are not the type that finishes each other’s sentences. Rather, if I had to describe our relationship, I would say it’s more along the lines of we love each other to death with an emphasis on “death.” No, seriously, we are best friends, but the kind of best friends that love each other but don’t necessarily “like” each other all the time, if you catch my drift. Hey, we can’t help it. Continue Reading…

Tuscan Gun Dishes with Beer? Michelangelo and da Vinci Give Two Thumbs Up

This is my Christmas present to Gabriele so I actually did do some thinking before just typing. Yeah, I know you’re surprised. What I’m going to do is make beer pairing recommendations for the last handful of food dishes that Gabriele posted on this site. Now, some of you may know that this little project will take me a bit out of my comfort zone (I usually pair beer with just a glass), but I think you’ll enjoy this little exercise. After all, though not an expert, I’m not an idiot either. Shhh. Be quiet! This is a little long, but remember it’s a recap of 7 of Gabriele’s dishes along with some beer ideas for each (and I numbered and bolded each for you low-attention-span readers). Continue Reading…

Santa’s Beer Run

Are there any beer lovers reading this? Ever had a hard time finding your favorite beer and wondered why? How can I get that great beer I had while visiting Aunt Sally last year? I guess I’ll just find the brewery website and have them ship me a case. Right? Wrong!

I’ll spare you most of the details but beer is one of the most highly regulated industries that I’ve come across. Many of the laws still date to the Post-Prohibition Era when they were written to keep organized crime from running the operation. Yet today we still have regulations that protect a three-tiered system–brewery, distributor, retailer. And it’s way more complicated than that. There’s your answer to why you don’t see every beer in every city. Continue Reading…

On The Green Life, Sustainability and Man’s Best Friend

Think of Italy and all sorts of images come in to your head. Perhaps your mind’s eye heads straight for the iconic buildings and monuments of Rome, or the beautiful Bay of Naples. For others, though, they will conjure up images of rolling hills, pretty sand-colored hilltop villages, and acres and acres of vineyards. And it’s this serene countryside that Tuscany is famed for. It’s a lush green paradise where the simple life is becoming more and more aligned with the green life. In Italy, just like everywhere else in Europe, people here try their hardest to keep their fuel and energy bills to a minimum. Continue Reading…

Birthday Beer Inspiration

It’s my birthday. Not just any birthday–THE birthday where I feel justified to buy a Ferrari convertible, get my ear pierced and grow out that ponytail. Yes, it’s the midlife crisis birthday. Luckily I started writing for Under the Tuscan Gun just in time to keep me occupied and delay that transition. Here’s a video from my birthday two years ago, at Andres Carne de Res in Bogota, Colombia. I just wanted all of you to know I really know how to party like it’s 1999! Continue Reading…