NPR Interviewed Me
I had my first NPR interview with Rick Kleffel of KUSP. We talked for an hour.
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North Beach Hot Spot Raves
Quite a week for the Village. Two great Chronicle restaurant reviews and USA Today named a North Beach pizzeria the best in the country. North Beach is on fire! Gigi’s Sotto Mare on Green is one of the last remaining traditional Italian-American restaurants. Gigi’s first …
Weekend Recipe: Cavatelli with Arugula
Cavatelli with arugula is a simple, pristine and delicious pasta dish from Apuglia in southern Italia. Make the sauce in the time that it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta.
Pulcinella Mural Restoration Plan Hatched
Can Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella smashed mural be saved? The artist and a local handyman think it can be done and our restoration plan will start on Saturday.
Saving Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella Mural
Follow our efforts to restore the damaged “Song of Pulcinella” mural by Vranas and put in on display in North Beach for all to enjoy.
Friday Recipe: Roasted Pork Tenderloin & Toy Box Tomato Salad
The toughest part of this meal is cutting the toy box tomatoes in half. You can be eating dinner in about an hour. The crusty, tender slices of pork tenderloin are bathed in a pan sauce scented with garlic, sage and rosemary. The marinated toy …
St. Francis Piazza Coming Soon?
I can’t wait to be sitting with you on a Saturday afternoon under the olive trees sipping a Caffe Trieste espresso and listening to live Italian music.
A North Beach Treasure Lost
Pulcinella had a good run. I’m happy the boys from Napoli were with us for the last couple of years.
Weekend Recipe: Sonoma Sole
The sole filets take on a golden crust and are flakey and moist. The edges are crisp and nutty. The caper butter sauce gently enhances each bite. The mellow broccoli spears round out the plate. A really quick and healthy lunch or dinner.
Village News: Italian Heritage Parade Sunday!
North Beach’s biggest event of the year is this Sunday–the 143rd Annual Italian Heritage Parade–the oldest in America. You gotta be here–it’s a great day in the Village. Floats, politicians, bands, Queen Isabella and her Court, Cristoforo Columbo himself–the Parade has it all and it …
Sunday Recipe: Fish Cakes (Torte di Pesce) with Pickled Carrots and Grilled Blue Trumpet Mushrooms
These cod cakes have a crunchy exterior and a creamy interior. The potato mellows the flavor of the cod and a squeeze of fresh lemon brings it all together.
Prowling for Chicago Street Food
I’m on the prowl for tasty Chicago casual food. Here’s some of what I found.
Chicago’s Little Italy Ain’t There No More!
I’m in Chicago on business. Surprise – I wanted to visit Little Italy. Guess what? It’s hard to find.
Sunday Recipe: Quick Beef Stew (Stufato di Manzo)
The beef is fall-apart tender and the vegetables are soft with vibrant flavor all embraced by a sweet tomato gravy.
Restoration Begins on the Mural
The restoration of North Beach muralist Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella is like working a jigsaw puzzle. Watch as a group of neighbors and artists struggle to put the severely damaged mural back together again.