Tag: history

Porchetta War: Who will win?

Porchetta War: Who will win?

I shot a porchetta episode a while ago. It’s a favorite among my friends and family so I had to share my recipe. And the episode got lots of views and tons of positive comments. Then, things suddenly turned nasty. The Italians got involved. They 

Father’s Day Cookies: St. Joseph’s Pants (Cavazune)

Father’s Day Cookies: St. Joseph’s Pants (Cavazune)

Father’s Day is next Sunday, June 15. I’ve been thinking about my Dad with love and gratitude. Though he passed long ago he is still with me. Dad immigrated to America early in the last century. He did not have an easy life but he prevailed. 

Father’s Day: Mussels with Hot Tomato Sauce

Father’s Day: Mussels with Hot Tomato Sauce

Father’s Day is June 15. You know me. Holidays bring back food memories. Here’s one from my Dad Gennaro (aka Jerry). My Mom was always at the stove so my Dad didn’t cook often.  But when he did Dad made some really good dishes. This 

Panzanella: Summer Tomato & Bread Salad

Panzanella: Summer Tomato & Bread Salad

A few days ago in a post on my pasta e fagioli video episode, Markus asked that I make panzanella, a simple Tuscan peasant summer salad. I said I would when the summer tomatoes hit the farmers market. The first crop of Early Girls won’t be 

Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni

Don’t miss the next recipe video: Subscribe now to my YouTube channel. Growing up in northern Jersey when my Mom took out her small black cast iron pan Sunday morning we knew we were in for a treat. She was getting ready to make crespelle (crepes) for 

New Year’s Eve Italian Rules & Recipes Galore

New Year’s Eve Italian Rules & Recipes Galore

Are you ready for your New Year’s Eve celebration? Be sure to include these Italian tips and recipes in your plans. You won’t be sorry in 2014 that you did. There’s an Italian saying that what you do on New Year’s Eve you’ll do all year 

North Beach is San Francisco’s Heart

North Beach is San Francisco’s Heart

What’s not to love in North Beach, the heart of San Francisco? Carl Nolte’s Chronicle column surveys it all. Plus, a North Beach food shopping spree and a marvelous art exhibit.

New Gianni Video Now Live

New Gianni Video Now Live

Sorry if you couldn’t access the video episode Gianni: From Italy to North Beach in my earlier post. You can watch it now. Here’s the Hungry Village video. Meet some of my friends from a week living in a Roman neighborhood and how that experience colors 

Food, Family & Friends

Food, Family & Friends

Why I’m passionate about cooking.

North Beach Parade & Fall Bounty from Italia

North Beach Parade & Fall Bounty from Italia

North Beach’s Italian-Heritage Parade, the oldest in America, is Sunday, October 7. Book your lunch table now at one of the many caffes and restaurants on the parade route. They’re going fast. It’s a fantastic holiday. You don’t want to miss it. Everyone will be there. We’re 

Square 5 Best in SF

Square 5 Best in SF

The Chronicle’s food writers just completed a year-long culinary tour of San Francisco, one square mile at a time. The city was divided into 49 “squares”. Each Sunday the culinary adventurers shared their take on the best restaurants and food attractions in each square. After exploring 

Ciao Caesar’s

Ciao Caesar’s

It’s the end of a North Beach era. After 56 years as a destination for locals, Caesar’s Restaurant near Fisherman’s Wharf, closed yesterday. The family-owned restaurant is a victim of changing San Francisco and North Beach demographics, changed tastes at the table, and a sour 

The Purple Onion: Bye-Bye

The Purple Onion: Bye-Bye

The Purple Onion, the North Beach cellar club where Phyllis Diller, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor and the Smothers Brothers performed early in their careers, will close next month. A new owner has new plans for the building. A comedy cooperative staged shows at the Purple 

Tosca’s Last Act?

Tosca’s Last Act?

Not Puccini’s opera, the North Beach cafe on Columbus with opera on the jukebox. Tosca Cafe, a favorite with the famous and locals alike, is 8 years short of its 100th anniversary. Owner Jeannette Etheridge just got an eviction notice. It all started earlier this week. The 

An Arthur Avenue Shopping Adventure

An Arthur Avenue Shopping Adventure

When I’m in Manhattan one morning is set aside for a visit to  Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. If you want to experience a vibrant Italian-American food neighborhood with a distinctly southern Italian flavor, this is the place to go. When we make the 20-minute