skiplombardi

I've been cooking cotechino con lenticchie since the mid-eighties, when I first had it in Rome on New Year's Day While I don't have photographs, I've posted the recipe in my blog at http://www.skiplombardi.com Best regards, Skip Lombardi

Two casual spots I recommend are Le Safari in Vieux Nice, right at the base of Chateau Park. Had a wonderful two hour "snack" there consisting of Bagna Cauda, Pizza and a bottomless carafe of local pink. Even more casual, Brasserie Lescalle on the harbor. They serve five or six different variations on Moules Frittes. And I certainly second (or third) the previous recommendations for La Merenda and Cafe de Tourin. But I don't believe anyone mentioned that La Merenda has no menu. They serve only one (or two?) prix-fixe dinners per night. At least that's the way it was three years ago. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

I second the notion of a day trip to Oriveto. The last time I was in Rome, my S.O. and I had a terrific picnic of wild boar sausage, bread and cheese on the steps of the duomo before we began to seriously poke around town. You'll find some pottery shops (ceramica tipico locale) that rival anything you'll find in Tuscany too. As for "neighborhoods" in which to stay, I've had great luck finding pensiones and alberghi in the neighborhood around the Colloseum. (Colloseo stop on the metro). If you stay somewhere near via Cavour, it's a simple walk either up the street to Stazione Roma Termine, or down the street to via dei Fori Imperiali to the bus stop. If I remember correctly, the 35 bus will get you practically anywhere you'd want to go, except perhaps the Apian Way. Finally, I wouldn't necessarily avoid restaurants that display a "menu touristica," but simply avoid ordering from that menu. I've had some terrific lunches at those types of places--particularly around the Piazza Venezia and the Vatican--by simply playing to the restaurant's strength. Nobody--in my experience--makes bad pasta all'Amatriciana in Rome. Oh yes, and a question for the group: Is Sora Lella still around? It's a restaurant on an island in the middle of the Tiber. I can't remember how we got there, but we had a superb meal there five or six years ago. If indeed it's still there, I'd recommend it heartily. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

I just finished The Fourth Star by Leslie Brenner. Frankly, I was disappointed. It's a chronicle of a year she spent observing every facet of Restaurant Daniel, but in my opinion, it could have been about any restaurant in America. For me, it really lacked the passion and intensity that must go on in such an incredible place. When she writes (and I'm paraphrasing) "Fire two foie gras," "I need two sea bass, and two pree fee veal," that could be going on in any kitchen in any restaurant unless you know how good Daniel is in the first place. And, of course, she admits that she finished her observations before Daniel got the fourth star, but there was nothing in her writing that--if I hadn't known the place first--would have led me to believe that Daniel deserved even three stars. Great suggestions above, though. I'm looking forward to reading a bunch of the stuff I've seen so far. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

Probably the singular greatest foodie vacation I ever had was house-sitting for two weeks in San Francisco. After my S.O. and I ate at Zuni Cafe, Boulevard, Chez Panisse, and Oliveto--among many others, we rented a car and drove up to Napa and Sonoma. We made a home base in Healdsberg (sp?) for about four days, and hit Stars Oakville Cafe (RIP), Mustards Grill, Tra Vigne, Jan Bierenbaum's place in Calistoga, CIA at Greystone, and a great bar in Sonoma Square that features the complete set of C.M. Coolidge's prints of dogs playing poker. Oh, and did I mention that we toured two or three wineries? Alas, we couldn't get a reservation at The French Laundry, but perhaps if S.F. is a viable option, your trip will coincide with their reopening. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

I've never seen an Italian recipe that calls for pounding squid. Mario Batali seems to have the Italian philosophy right when he says, "Cook them for one minute, or cook them for one hour." Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

One popular spot in the area is The Steak Loft at Olde Mystic Village. You might also call The Skipper's Dock on Water St. in Stonington Borough (about 6 mi. from Mystic) to see if they're open yet: 860.535.0111. Finally, there's a place in Westerly, RI., just over the CT border, and I can't remember the name. It has the term Up River as a sub-title. It's only about 10 miles from Mystic. Sorry I can't do better than that right now. I'm sure some locals will be able to fill in the blanks for me. I would avoid Foxwoods, but perhaps that's just me. Mohegan Sun has a ton of restaurants all over the spectrum, from Johnny Rocket's to Michael Jordan's Steakhouse--as well as the aforementioned Todd English and Jasper White spots. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com

I've lurked around here long enough to see how a discussion can turn into a cause celebre, but..... I found this article while I was doing research for a piece I was writing on seasoning food. This author pretty well debunks the whole notion of "designer salt," and backs it up with quotes from a Chemistry professor (emeritus) at Penn. And most notably--for me--is his assertion that FDA regulations require all salt to be at least 97.5% NaCl. If that's true, it doesn't leave much room for all those nifty minerals from Brittany. Again, if this author is correct, I think the important issue with salt is the size of the crystals, not their source. OR...is fleur de sel imported without having to be subjected to scrutiny by the FDA? I hope some of you follow this link and will have further comments. I'd certainly like more evidence yea or nay. Best regards, Skip Lombardi http://www.skiplombardi.com