DaleJ

I probably leave them in the oven too long, but they are definately crunchy. I guess dunkers.

I make biscotti weekly from the Zuni Cookbook. It features cracked finocchio and anise liquor. Addictive.

Spent a weekend at the St. Sulpise a month ago. Do not miss APdC. It is a staggering experience. The concierge can got us a reservation.

I took my wife to Montreal as a portion of her (milestone) birthday and we were fortunate to dine at PdC Friday evening. We were unprepaired for the experience. The place is so small and narrow and a significant percentage of Montreal was in attendance. The happy staff and general good humor was infectious. Everything was fun, to say nothing about the incredible food. The duck carpaccio is memorable!

If the weather is decent, the outdoor pizza compound at the foot of the Accademia Bridge (on the Dorsoduro side) is a fun place.

As I recall, there is seating for twelve. We didn't have reservations on either occasion and I suppose arrived 8:30 or so.

If its Bergamo Alta you can walk end to end in a few minutes, as I recall.

If you have this month's copy of Food and Wine, there is a complementary story about Salvatore Denali's Il Becco Felice in Foligno. Salvo is an event in himself. All surfaces of the place covered in grafitti. Wonderful local food and, of course, Sagrantino. Park at the RR station and ask anyone for directions.

Don't know if this is germain, but I had an opportunity to tour the Sysco distribution center juso outside of Columbia, SC a few years ago and was overwhelmed by the place. I have no idea how many thousands of square feet it encompases but there were three or four freezing rooms (of various temps) that hand trucks drove into. And all of the over the road trucks are monitore by the minute for adherance to schedule. Amazing tour. At lunch the guy in charge made an interesting observation. He said how FedEx is jusstifiably praised or their distribution prowess, but noted that operations like Sysco didn't only maintain scheduling, etc., but didn't deal with parcels brought to them, Rather, they not only deliver but must purchase and inventory too. Eye opening.

Jim: I have several sources chasing the 2002 Luneau-Papin for me. Is it out of circulation?

FWIW, we spent a few days in Bergamo several years ago. (The trips blend together.) We stayed at Hotel Gourmet in Bergamo Alta, walking distance to the center of the town. As I recall, their kitchen wasn't bad.

At my age I don't buy futures.

For more information on Italy than you can devour try slowtrav.com.

IMO, the London Chop House made Detroit a dining destination all by itself. Long may it be remembered.

I enjoyed a fine pranzo at (either) Trattoria or Ristorante Duomo a year or so ago. Its directly across the little piazza from the duomo.

As the first responder to this thread, I want to admit that my dinner at 'Gusto a couple of weeks ago was seriously marred by an overstretched waitstaff. The service was awful. I still like the place but will probably opt for lunch at the bar next time. We "discovered" Cul du Sac for ourselves on this trip. They even had a Bruno Giacossa Barbaresco in the stack. What a place!

A couple of weeks ago we had to overnight near JFK and went to Don Peppe. Totally classic Italian-American right down to the house red served in recycled bottles at about 40F. Unforgetable experience.

OMG! All I ever put it on is vanila ice cream. Thanks for opening my eyes.

Jim: I, too, always enjoy your posts. And I am still chasing the 2002 Claude Banger Muscadet Les Gras Mouton that you so highly praised (with no results as yet).

I have found that as long as I use Anson Mills stone ground I am unable to screw up any variety of grits variations.

Geez! We're flying to SFO Saturday to spend a week at Sea Ranch. Beside frequenting any and all wineries in Sonoma do you have any current tips? (Of course Bouchon is mandatory.)

A little remote, but sensational, is the Middleton Inn, ten or so miles from downtown. IMO, the best piece of modern architecture in South Carolina and Middleton Plantation is next door with a fine restaurant. The walk from the inn to the palntation through the thousands of azalias in the spring is memorable. I assume the MI has a website. Also, one of my favorites is Al Di La, on the Savannah Highway (Route 17), a mile or so after crossing the bridge. Reservations required on weekends. Good Italian food.

BTW, That foul weather is called the mistrale and must originate in Siberia.

I was in Sicily last March for two weeks. (We go to Italy spring and fall.) That trip was the foulest of the fourteen I've made. IMO, Sicily is only the coast. The interior is virtually uninhabited. The weather was fierce. Cold, windy and rainy (with some sleet). We spent a week in Sciacca on the southwest coast and a week near Siracusa. I must admit, however, the Greek ruins are truly awesome. (I'd opt for Bologna with a few days in Venice, my favorite place in the world.)

Near Chechino, in Testaccio, is not only Volpetti (a must visit market) but a nice little outdoor market and, IMO, the best pizzaria in Rome: Pizzaria Remo. To get to these places take the Metro and get off at the Piramide stop. Locals can direct you to all of the above.