...And wine and travel

Here are a few articles that arose out of travel to Italy or just Italian or Italian-American-related.  

• When you are going out for Italian, you are usually not going out for Italian - Italian restaurants here have gotten more Italian, but still....
• Le Marche, "Italy in miniature" - Off-the-radar for most American tourists, this region is one of the most beautiful in Italy and boasts terrific food (that's better than Tuscany).
• James Bond’s very first cocktail was actually an Italian one (it’s not a martini) - Like staff at the very handsome bars in the grand hotels favored by well-heeled American visitors, this cocktail has some Italian flare.
• Pizza speaks to everyone - Some insight into one of America's favorite foods from legendary restaurateur Piero Selvaggio.
• That most famous of Roman pasta dishes seems to be found in just two restaurants these days - One of Americans most popular past dishes was found in scores of trattorias in Rome a few decades ago, now it might be just two.
• ​ Italian Regional Cooking by Ada Boni remains a very useful classic​​ - Published in 1969, this remains an excellent resource.  It is definitely worth tracking done a used copy if you are interested in preparing Italian fare at home.
• Chicken Vesuvio, that classic Italian-American dish from Chicago - This dish has not really traveled far from Chicago, which is a shame.
• Pasta in vodka sauce, a favorite from the 1980s that remains enjoyable - Just one example, the Houston Press recently wrote about it; well, soon after I posted this piece. This is only the second time that the local freebie has taken a cue from one of my obscure items.  I wonder which one is next.