I’d like to start off by wishing everyone a Happy New year, and I do know things have been quiet here since Thanksgiving of last year. I do apologize for that, but I will go on to say this site is a labor of love. Sometimes we just get busy. The job, family, the holidays, [...]

Summertime is the celebrated moment of the year when dining al fresco can happen for many. The patio furniture is cleaned up, citronella candles lit, and many simply choose to dine outdoors any way they can. Right now I envy anyone with a yard, patio, or balcony. My condo just doesn’t have any of that. [...]

From prosciutto wrapped fresh figs to a warm vinaigrette drizzled over green beans, chick peas and peppers, I welcome you to the world of antipasti It’s no secret that Italians love their food. A common misconception is that Italian food is simple to make. I guess the simplicity stems from the uncomplicated recipes. Fresh, quality [...]

Here in Chicago, I look out my window right now and see the streets, sidewalks, and trees covered in a light dusting of snow. Not my favorite time of the year as my mind soars to visions of the warm sun, the smell of the Mediterranean, and the feeling that time has stopped…even for a [...]

I’ve mentioned my father many times in this site, but this article is really about giving praise to my mother.  While my father was the restaurateur and creative cook in the family, mom had her moments in the kitchen as well.  My brother and I still think she can make sandwiches better than any deli [...]

For many years we’ve known Sicily mainly through mobster movies like the Godfather series, and while some of those stories strike similarity to reality in the region, there is so much more to Sicily than the mafia.  This quaint island off the tip of the Italian peninsula is an interesting meld of Italian, Greek, Arabic, [...]