Food & Wine Archive

My life is an emotional roller coaster controlled by seasonal produce. When persimmons are peaking, I am the happiest person on the planet. When they disappear, depression sets in. For a time, I am inconsolable (more…)

Pizza margherita with buffalo mozzarella at Sforno.

Spoiler alert! Stefano Callegari destroys Gabiele Bonci every time. And not by a little bit. In a head to head contest between Rome’s pizza heavyweights Callegari mops the floor with Bonci. To be fair, both pizzaioli start out on a level playing field with (more…)

Things started off innocently enough this morning. My friend Halliday and I woke up feeling the effects of yesterday’s truly impressive pizza binge–Forno Campo de’ Fiori for breakfast, 00100 for lunch and Sforno for dinner. We thought an intense (more…)

My apartment is midway between the Monti and Celio districts, so when I want a great meal close to home, I have a ridiculous number choices, ranging from inexpensive organic cafes to break-the-bank fish restaurants. In spite of the numerous (more…)

Gelateria Fata Morgana, a place that is near and dear to my heart (that is, has clogged my arteries) has closed its doors on Via Ostiense. The sad news came to me via email from reader Chad Rivera. I stopped by ex-Fata Morgana yesterday to pay my (more…)

After seven months of apocalyptic miserable weather, including an insanely cold and rainy spring, it seems summer is finally on its way. I don’t want to jinx it, but I think the infernal temperatures these past few days are a sign that the notoriously hot (more…)

Lazio has become a culinary force to be reckoned with. Recently the region’s food and wine has earned major international acclaim and scored serious local prestige. Shops and cafes in Rome like Mia Market and Urbana 47 highlight Lazio’s bounty. (more…)

The countryside in the Provincia di Viterbo.

The food and wine of Lazio have long been overshadowed by those of other regions. For decades, while other regional governments and producers teamed up to promote local products Lazio lagged behind. Recently, it has begun to catch up. (more…)

Church of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, Santa Maria di Leuca.

I always hesitate to do these wrap ups because they force me to reflect on the obscene amount of food I am capable of eating. I especially overdid on a three day trip to Puglia recently. It is my favorite Italian region for food and it would be a shame to (more…)

Rustico – adj: Rustic; rural; of or relating to the country. noun: a baked savory snack made from puff pastry stuffed with bechamel, bits of mozzarella, black pepper, and a hint of tomato; the quintessential snack in southern Puglia. (more…)