I'm not the best at philosophy and logic but I know a few things. I love Italian food. I love the Hudson River. Therefore, I love Italian food near the Hudson River, which , in its newest form, can be found at Red Zebra in Sleepy Hollow.
Read More"When inspiration strikes but you don't have the time to execute" could be the tagline for my life. I constantly imagine combinations and variations of dishes but am usually so busy I don't have enough consecutive hours to accomplish anything. When I do find those glorious hours I try to make at least three different things so I can feel moderately productive. I found a string of hours this past weekend and finally made some biscotti I wanted to try out since the spring.
Read MoreLet me start by saying that I am very critical of my own work; especially when it comes to meals I've prepared. That being said, I'm going to do an awful lot of boasting right about now. During our surprise three day weekend I wanted to use up some extra heavy cream and milk I had and there's really only one thing you can make: panna cotta. Now, I'd always wanted to try it but every time I went to the store I'd forget to pick up unflavored gelatin. Well, the stars aligned and I had all the ingredients necessary plus an extra special one to boot.
Read MoreHello again! After another long hiatus, this time due to bronchitis, a virus and guests packed in between, I am here with another post. Two of my friends from college came to visit last weekend while I had, what I know was, bronchitis. Despite my evolving illness and the frigid winds of Joaquin I finally got to Eataly's La Birreria. I was hoping for a better forecast to visit the rooftop locale but let me tell you, those temps but the brrrr in birreria. I've experienced the marketplace before but it's such a delightful sensory experience that I love any excuse to walk through. My eyes widen at the aisles (plural) of pasta, clattering utensils and the sizzle of oil in a pan excite my eardrums, and the olfactory glands are reeled in by the faint yet pleasing aroma of freshly baked bread. Besides the weather, what's not to love?
Read MoreTell me if this situation sounds all too familiar: You're at brunch. The server has been by at least twice to take your order and since everything looks so good you can't decide. Sweet or savory? Sweet or savory?
Read MoreSitting at our table among what had to be all of Ulster County’s retirees, my cousins and I sipped our wine, finished forkfuls of near perfect homemade lasagna and asked each other, why don’t we do this more often? It wasn't a family function so to speak (none of the silver haired folks were ours to claim) but it was functional for our family. We're Italian. Food, drink, accordion music, and dropping final vowels in words like "prosciutto" are in our nature and we should do so whenever possible. While geography has proved a bit tricky, we found our way together this weekend at Magnanini’s Winery and Restaurant in Wallkill, New York.
Read MoreHi all! I’m back from another weekend in Boston and my face hurts from smiling so much. Everything I ate or drank was a miraculous palate pleaser. I’m not exaggerating; know how I know? My friends will corroborate my story one hundred percent. We can start with a late night dinner at Sarma in Somerville.
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