tsquare

Don't forget you can frequently order half portions - I found them too large too!

October trip to Italy - in Venice (and on the barge in Murano), the produce vendors had boxes of golf ball sized fruit, brown skin, crunchy interiors without discernable seeds. The blossom ends were quite large and recessed. Stem like a apple. The fruit was not tasty - bitter, but not quite to the unripe persimmon stage - more like heavy tannin. The vendor who offered me one to try did not speak English. I speak almost no Italian. He enjoyed the sourpuss face I made, but seemed genuinely surprised. I tried to ask if they need to be cooked, I believe he said no - and that they are eaten with cheese. I don't think they were quinces either. The leaves in the box were oval shaped, smooth. Any ideas what these are? I've stumped out local produce guys. Thanks!

I finally sampled the pizza and salad at Tutta Bella - it was okay - but such a soft crust? I was underwhelmed. The salad was quite good. As my memory of La Vita e Bella was so good - I tried it again. The older woman was nowhere to be seen. Some young, non-italian cooks were in the kitchen (though the front of house Italians were still there). The pizza flavors were pretty good, but the dough lacked the crunch and lighteness I recalled. The arugula in the salad was past its prime - and quite overdressed - tasty, but lacking finesse. The pizza place and the adjoining cafe were both doing good business. Okay, I promise to try Carla's pizza, and soon.

Now I want to go (okay, I wanted to anyway - but with Miguel as your guide, you'll dine very well.)

You might wantto dig a little deeper - I got some rec's back in early 2003 when I was travelling in Portugal. I didn't spend much time in Oporto, but I liked one place and would recommend it - traditional, modest, charming: see end of first post Save room for dessert(s)!

Did it list an actual date? (As in, when is "next month"? That's like small shops saying "back in 15 minutes" but you have no clue when they posted it! And 15 minutes can be a lot longer...) Seems like progress hasn't happened in a long time - I was wondering if they gave up after Bandol quit?

I didn't have anything significant in Milan (well, I loved the Antico pastry shop off of the main street and the lovely Enoteca I found at the last minute) but the meal at La Latteria was quite nice. Check this thread for some recent discussion. Or are you looking to spend big euros? Don't forget to get your reservations NOW if you plan to eat at Latte di Luna in Pienza. (And will someone (Pamela?) tell me why there are so many "Luna"s in the Pienza?) Or take to the road and go to "Il Borgo" in Rocca d'Orcia for a lovely meal in a sweet hamlet.)

have you seen the menu? ← Like everything else, it changes daily. As far as I can tell. Think Autumn - celery root, mushrooms, parsnips, figs, panna cotta (!), maybe dungies (there was a salad with last week) and you'll have an idea. Checked on my way by last night - add duck and persimmons and I had almost the whole menu!

I've kind of given up trying to figure out reasonable mark-up - especially by the glass. What do you consider fair? I've had $6 glasses that I can find by the bottle for $6.99, and I've had $12 glasses that I'm afraid to find out the bottle price on. I guess I expect 3 to 5 x retail price for a glass. Assuming 5 glasses per bottle, you did pretty good - 3.5 times retail.

1st and Battery - coming soon - Volare - wine and spirit license posted, lots of red paint on the building. So many new places in Belltown!

Soup Daddy's 2nd place on Pike closed and is now an Australian Pie Co. That's between 1st and 2nd. Jasmine, on the block North of the downtown library (4th Ave side) has a sign up for help - restaurant and bar. Taking them a long time to open. Old Red Robin space?

I had a drink at Caffe Poliziano - they serve amusing snacks with cocktails - like cheese puffs and pretzels. Had dinner at Acquacheta. I would recommend it just to have you meet the owner (?). He made my day - appears to not speak much English, but we had a grand time anyway. I loved the cauliflower pudding. Did not like that they give you one glass for water and house wine. Liked watching the young women in sweats and white caps in the open kitchen. The place was full of personality. If you want to eat at Latte di Luna in Pienza (I wanted to), try to reserve well in advance. Lunch was fully booked. A local said they book a week or two in advance! Another country I missed the suckling pig. My favorite dinner - "Il Borgo" in Rocca d'Orcia. Another medieval hamlet that is almost too perfect. The food was fabulous. I think it must exist for the wine traders in the region. As far as I could tell, it's the only restaurant in town - right on the plaza with the old well.

Like they use in Chinese restaurants? Maybe one of the restaurant supply places?

I don't think non-seafood eaters would do particularly well at Matt's.... ← It's hard to call it a special occasion place. The pulled pork sandwich is pretty tasty.

and next week New York Pizza Place Not really helpful, but I recall hearing the owners of this place moved out not long ago - not sure if there is a joint there anymore or not. Got one pie before the news. Too heavy for my pizza taste. I know a place in Milan...

Actually, Latteria is a good traditional osteria, and we found it in the Slow Food book. P.S. I have to agree with Vesnuccia about Joia - didn't do it for this vegetarian at all. ← Thanks all. Latteria is a simple place with very straightfoward cooking. I think I was the only non-Italian tonight. 3 courses plus vino rosso for 32 Euros complete. Now, to sleep. Also found a pleasant place for a drink beforehand, with a sunken terrace and a very stiff Negroni. Mediateca (?) - bar and book-DVD seller.

Where is the Fisher Plaza? Denny and 5th??? ←

Nice feature on the famous Lasagna in today's PI. with recipe and pictures Nice home stove!

Finally had dinner here. Not fancy, but so good. Easy to split portion sizes. That said, I didn't finish my pork chop with greens, cornbread/sausage dressing, and apple-onion relish...but only so I could have a couple of freshly made cookies and some espresso ice cream. Menu changes weekly. Lots of good options for dinner (and brunch.)

I saw it and wondered, then read this and wasn't so tempted: review

Roxy's originator has a place in Fremont now - old bagel oasis. Haven't tried it. Maybe this place? Leah's Bakery 2116 65th NE Seattle, WA Washington 98115 (206) 985-2647 The main bakery has no meat - dairy kosher, but they opened a another place (across the street?) that was suppose to have meat. Also, the Mercer Island Albertsons (QFC?) is suppose to have a kosher deli.

Thanks much. I'll have two chances, so I will try to get there. Last meal in Italy or first...

50 euros a head. Is this "moderate" for Italy in general? At lunch? Must rethink my budget.

Thanks so much - someone was suppose to email the name of the veg restaurant in Milan and never did - it sounds like it must be Joia. Could you eat there for a moderate price if you limited your wine to a glasss or two? How crowded for a Friday night? Solo diner...

Thank you - I'll be in Pienza too. No car - walking! I'll look for your recommendations.