Posts Tagged ‘pizza’

Chicago For The First Time

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

I got to go with Steve to a medical  convention in Chicago; a first for me seeing that amazing city! I rendezvoused with Elaine Faille and Pam Hasbrouck ( who was visiting her daughter Beth) The first “must” on our agenda was taking the Architectural River Cruise. It was so amazing to have ones eyes opened to all the various styles of building in this town and some of the  familiar names…Wrigley , Sears, Montgomery Ward, State Street that great street, the Navy Pier, etc. It was a very enjoyable learning experience. We did the HopOn HopOff  bus and of course Beef, and Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. And did I mention the “American Girl Doll” store? Our weather was great and made for much walking . Some big cities are intimitdating but I found Chicago embracing — even if we couldn’t get into the canceled taping of Oprah.

Little Italy

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

If you can’t make it to Europe, the next best thing is a class in the Little Italy part of downtown San Diego.  Steve and I enjoy a two hour  mental trip via “the Wines and Foods of Italy by Region”: each week a different area and 4-6 wines to sample, cheeses, polenta, pizza, and dulce.  The class enjoys videos of each region and shares their own Italian stories.

It was one year ago today that we left for Manchester on our way to Volvo and Montalcino. This week’s trip will be to the Open Air Market in Little Italy on Saturday to replenish oils, spices, and memories. Bene, molto bene.

Buongiourno, Montalcino!!

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Holding our breath, we found Montalcino (without getting lost) and she is all we hoped she would be!

HOME

HOME

We are in rural Italy 1950’s, a view of farmlands and vineyards from our back door terrace. The weather is sunny and mid-60’s and the street out in front of our apartment allows no cars.  Currently, a semi-swap meet is happening, and every evening from 5-8-ish the folk stroll the main piazza just to meet and greet(we are being looked-over, but greeted cordially). The main thorough-fare is almost 400yards long and  there are probably 10 winebars, 4 bakeries, 2 shoe stores, 2 butchers, 1 fish market, etc, etc. Oh yes, 4 pizzerias. We tried one last night and it was fantastico.

Stress is starting to melt away, as we do our best to communicate with the town-folks. We begin in Italian, where they jibber jabber back like we were native, then we ask if they speak english (parla englese?) and then piece-meal a conversation with a little of everything but pig-latin. Everyone eats later here, and there is wine-hour instead of tea-time. I think I can get use to that. You can also bring your own empty liter into a wine store and ask them to “fill’er up” with the house table wine.

viewfromterraceThe apartment  looks out on a stupendous view and is quaint and provencial.  The streets are narrow and cobbled, and major walking requires you be a mountain goat – not difficult, but a challenge for the challenged. We are starting to ease into a slower pace, and I am cooking pasta with zuchini, panerai replica watches tomatoes and parmesan tonight and of course, some wine. Wish you all were here, but we will try to send you the  flavors of Montalcino, Tuscany.

Ciao, for now.  Buon apetito!