SF Seder From The Roman Ghetto

SF Seder From The Roman Ghetto

I’m jazzed. San Francisco’s own world-famous Italian cook, teacher and author Joyce Goldstein is preparing a Seder at Perbacco on April 10. The roots of this meal are in Square One, Goldstein’s sorely missed Jackson Square restaurant. She first served a Seder meal there in 

Grandma’s in the Kitchen

Grandma’s in the Kitchen

Not mine and maybe not yours but if you’re on Staten Island you can savor the cooking of a real nonna (grandmother) born in Italia at local restaurant Enoteca Maria. No chefs here. Every night one of a stable of 9 grandmothers is in the 

Battle of the Chefs in North Beach

Battle of the Chefs in North Beach

My friend Viola Buitoni hails from Perugia in the region of Umbria. Viola is a wonderful cook and Italian culinary teacher and she’s hosting Battaglia dei Cuochi, the Battle of the Chefs, this Monday March 19 at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club on Stockton overlooking 

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

St. Joseph’s Day Is Coming! Make Zeppole

March 19 is St. Joseph’s Day, also Father’s Day in Italy. It’s the time of year to make a special sweet, Zeppole di San Giuseppe. You find zeppole all over Italia this time of year. Each region makes them in their own way. In North 

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

North Beach Farmers’ Market Is Back

I missed the Sunday North Beach farmers’ market since the tents were rolled up last October. But spring has sprung and the market re-opened last Sunday. It’s in a new location on Powell between Union and Columbus right across from Washington Square Park. This is a much 

Pizza Championship In Vegas Next Week

Pizza Championship In Vegas Next Week

Do you have what it takes to be a World Pizza Champion? I just may have to fly to Vegas for the World Pizza Championship & Games on March 13 to find out. Everyone in the pizza biz will be there. There are 5 events in the 

A Permanent Pop-Up In North Beach?

A Permanent Pop-Up In North Beach?

Permanent Pop-Up. That’s an oxymoron isn’t it? Pop-up food purveyors pop up for a short while and then go away to pop-up somewhere else, right? Well that’s not the case with Chubby Noodle, the permanent pop-up restaurant at the Green Street bar Amante. This is the 

Truffles at Cavalli Cafe Again

Truffles at Cavalli Cafe Again

We had lunch yesterday at Original Joe’s. (I had the breaded veal cutlet Milanese with a light lemon sauce and a side of ricotta ravioli in a bolognese sauce. Both were delicious renditions of classic North Beach Italian-American fare.) Original Joe’s bombolini puff pastry with vanilla 

CSI in the Kitchen

CSI in the Kitchen

Have you ever craved a dish your Mama made for you? Did you eat a dish in a restaurant that you just had to make yourself? Can’t get the recipe? I read an interesting article last week about everyday kitchen detectives re-creating lost family dishes 

North Beach’s Food Oscar Nominee!

North Beach’s Food Oscar Nominee!

North Beach’s own Park Tavern is nominated for the James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant Award.

Italian Wedding Soup: Chicken and Escarole Soup with Veal Meatballs

Italian Wedding Soup: Chicken and Escarole Soup with Veal Meatballs

Chicken and escarole soup with tiny veal meatballs is an Italian-American classic often called the Italian Wedding Soup. It’s easy to make and it’s delicious.

Join Gianni for a Culinary Tour of Emilia-Romagna

Join Gianni for a Culinary Tour of Emilia-Romagna

The crowds have thinned and the September weather is glorious. The markets overflow. It’s one of my favorite seasons to visit Italia. It’s a fine time to settle into the region of Emilia-Romagna the culinary heart of Italia. Prosciutto and parmigiano come from Parma and 

A North Beach Valentine’s Day

A North Beach Valentine’s Day

Many of you have been reading last year’s Valentine’s Day post Accidental Heart a cute memory from when I was a kid in Jersey. It’s that time of year again. Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday. I’m not a big fan of going out for dinner on Valentine’s Day. It’s 

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cook with Gianni Live in North Beach

Cooking Class at Cookhouse My friend Chef Tom Herndon of Hipp Kitchen asked if I wanted to do a cooking class showcasing the rustic food of Italia. Tom teaches those with food allergies and sensitivities so I’m cooking without gluten, dairy, shellfish, soy or peanuts. 

North Beach Italian Restaurant List

North Beach Italian Restaurant List

I found a Yelp list of North Beach Italian restaurants listed 1 to 50. Actually there aren’t 50 places. Some are listed more than once and a couple have closed. Before you get to the list and all of the comments I can’t help adding