Farewell, Harry: Pumpkin Pasties + Golden Snitch Cake Pops

Last week, fans everywhere simultaneously celebrated and mourned the last installment of Harry Potter. Encompassing ten years, seven books, eight films and spanning a generation, the series meant something very dear to me -- so much so that I spent all of last week obsessing, remembering, and writing about it. And then my friend Jessica thought of the perfect way to say goodbye - a booze-fueled, Harry Potter themed party. And just like that, I was off to San Francisco!

Read more »

Travel Tastes, New Orleans: A Mano

When I spent a week in New Orleans, I tried to stick with the regional cuisine as best I could, stuffing myself to capacity at the festival booths and even taking a 3 hour Cajun cooking class at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Despite my best efforts, I somehow found myself  yet again at an Italian restaurant for dinner with my dad before another night in the French Quarter. 

Most Italian restaurants in New Orleans have a Cajun-kick to them; spicy cream sauces, grilled shrimp or sausage. Though A Mano had all these things, it is run by one of the city in the bayou's favorite chefs Adolfo Garcia (Chef & Owner of A Mano, RioMar & La Boca) and Joshua Smith. Inspired by both Latin and Italian flavors, A Mano serves central and southern Italian dishes from local and sustainable purveyors. 

Read more »

Comfort Me Caprese

 

It’s really the simplest things that get me through the week: an 82 year old Polish patient at my work who bursts into Italian bravado like a robust robin puffing out his chest, or the prospect of my first lobster dinner tonight (keep posted). In terms of culinary comfort, anything Italian will do. Last night was the often underrated caprese.

Read more »