Caponata Siciliana (Eggplant and Vegetable Cooked Salad)

Caponata Siciliana (Eggplant and Vegetable Cooked Salad)

I scored some beautiful small Italian eggplant at Union Street Produce so I just had to make caponata. I love this flavor-packed sweet-sour eggplant side dish (condimento) from Sicilia. Usually I make caponata during the summer when the eggplant and tomatoes are at their prime. I 

Broadway Corridor Coming Back

Broadway Corridor Coming Back

“It takes a village,” was the frequent refrain at a community meeting at Broadway Studios. The group gathered to develop a strategy to bring Broadway back. Call me crazy but after years of decline I think it’s happening. Maybe the transformation of Big Al’s sex 

Father and Son Reunited in North Beach

Father and Son Reunited in North Beach

The white butcher paper with the funny Italian sayings covering the windows for months is finally coming down. Geppetto, North Beach’s second salumeria (Italian deli) will have a soft opening tomorrow. “God willing,” says owner Giovannni Zocco. Geppetto (658 Vallejo between Columbus and Grant) is 

North Beach 2012 – A New Dawn

North Beach 2012 – A New Dawn

A new dawn in San Francisco’s North Beach? Will the Village be stronger in 2012 than it has been in 60 years?

Is North Beach Shrinking?

Is North Beach Shrinking?

I was worried about the south side of Vallejo Street between Columbus and Stockton. There was an even mix of Italian and Chinese stores on that block. Then Pulcinella Pizzeria closed and I heard that Victoria Pastry (est. 1914) on the corner was moving to 

North Beach Boutique Crawl Thursday Night

North Beach Boutique Crawl Thursday Night

The annual North Beach Holiday Boutique Crawl – this Thursday, December 8, 6-9pm – is a great opportunity to discover the new businesses and to renew your ties to merchants who have been here for years.