Opened just 9 months ago, Mastrarua has already become a culinary landmark on Syracuse’s island of Ortigya. It is owned and operated by a family-kids Melina and Andrea at the front of the house, mom in the kitchen. The entire staff is friendly and hospitable, characteristics honed in the B&B business (they also own a [...]
UPDATE: VENUE CLOSED. Baciamo Le Mani is a new Sicilian pasticceria-rosticceria in Rome, just off Viale di Trastevere. This new arrival on the Trastevere street food scene offers both sweet and savory Sicilian specialties. […]
I have a love-hate relationship with the famous bakery Panella L’Arte del Pane on Via Merulana in Rome. On the one hand, they have a vast selection of artfully displayed baked goods (breads and desserts) from all over Italy made according to local traditions. On the other hand, their products never are as good as [...]
Last week, while researching for the new Rough Guide Naples (the first edition will be released in the spring), I surveyed some Neapolitan friends about where they go, aside from home, to eat authentic, home-cooked food. Firmly at the top of everyone’s list was La Cantina di Via Sapienza. This little osteria is located in [...]
Although I live in Rome, I spend a lot of time down in Naples working on guide books (DK Eyewitness, Time Out, Rough Guide and Fodor's). That means I eat a lot of meals down there, and just as many desserts. I am a big advocate of skipping dessert at restaurants, and instead heading to [...]
I am totally obsessed with pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice). In fact, I have a slice of pizza bianca (a typical Roman flat bread) every morning for breakfast and a slice later in the day for a snack. Recently I have been eating tons of pizza con fiori di zucca (zucchini flower pizza), [...]
