Tag: italian-american

Capo’s Finally Opens on Vallejo

Capo’s Finally Opens on Vallejo

Tony Gemignani enlivened Washington Square Park when he opened Tony’s Pizza Napoletana on Stockton and Green a couple of years ago. Now he hopes to have a similar effect on the moribund block of Vallejo between Stockton and Columbus with his new restaurant, Capo’s Chicago Pizza 

Butternut Squash Roasted with Honey and Sage

Butternut Squash Roasted with Honey and Sage

I love butternut squash and make it often, especially in the fall. A favorite is roasted butternut squash lightly flavored with honey and sage. You can have this dish on your table in less than 30 minutes. The hardest part is cutting and peeling the 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts for Your Thanksgiving Table

Roasted Brussels Sprouts for Your Thanksgiving Table

I’m not cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year but I will be bringing some vegetables to add to my friend’s table. I know, you either love or hate brussels sprouts. I happen to love these crispy little orbs and I hope you will too. Coat the 

Grilled Chicken Marinated with Rosemary & Garlic

Grilled Chicken Marinated with Rosemary & Garlic

Last week we were staying in an updated 1930s cabin overlooking Lake Tahoe. I was excited about the grill on the deck right outside the kitchen door and we used it every day. One of our dinners included delicious grilled chicken breasts simply marinated in 

Marinated Zucchini (Zucchine alla Scapace)

Marinated Zucchini (Zucchine alla Scapace)

I have more late summer zucchini than I know what to do with. Well, almost. I made a fritatta with zucchini, potatoes, wild boar salami and fontina. I made ciambotta, a zucchini stew with potatoes and onions in a tomato sauce. I used what I 

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 

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

I was hosting a 4-course birthday dinner for a friend. I asked her what she wanted. “Nothing special. You come up with something. It’s always good,” she told me. But the next morning she sent me an email. “Can you make sweet potato gnocchi? I’ve been 

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 

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore

Flavor memories of my Mom’s hunter-style braised chicken overwhelmed me. I headed down the hill to get what I needed to make this easy, rustic dish. I’m a breast man but go ahead and include all of your favorite chicken parts. The breasts take less 

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 

Victoria Pastry Is Back

Victoria Pastry Is Back

Victoria Pastry Company has reopened in its new digs near Washington Square Park, on Filbert just down the street from Saints Peter & Paul Church. Victoria moved after almost 100 years on the corner of Stockton & Vallejo, across the street from Little City Meats. 

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 

The Big Dig Begins

The Big Dig Begins

When I walked down the hill early this morning I was surprised to see San Francisco police and a dozen workers all in their reflective vests standing in a straight line on the edge of Washington Square Park. Heavy construction equipment lined Columbus Avenue. Their 

Italian Festival Saturday

Italian Festival Saturday

Don’t miss the annual Festa Coloniale Italiana this Saturday, August 11, 2012 on Washington Square in front of the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club (SFIAC). The Festa is the only Italian festival that celebrates San Francisco’s Italian and Italian-American heritage. It’s our version of Ferragosto, the 

Baked Baby Eggplant

Baked Baby Eggplant

Don’t miss the next new video recipe. Please subscribe now to my YouTube channel. I love the small Italian eggplant now in the market. Here’s a quick recipe that explodes with flavor. Just cut the eggplants in half and bake them in the oven topped with crushed  San