LA MELA - New York City (LIttle Italy)

La Mela has been serving amazing Italian cuisine on "Little Italy's" Mulberry Street for the past 25 years. The open kitchen is in one of the several dining rooms that can accommodate up to 400 guests. The dining rooms display photographs of their famous and not-so-famous dinner guests. As soon as I arrived I felt like I had returned "home." Benny could not have been more charming or friendly. His suggestions were spot-on!

I started my meal with the shredded iceberg lettuce salad with chopped tomatoes and an abundance of sliced fresh garlic - all tossed in their signature oil, vinegar & herb dressing. A basket of warm, crusty Italian bread arrived with the salad; the perfect solution for gathering the remaining salad dressing on my plate.

For dinner I took Benny's suggestion and had the homemade tri-color tortellini. The tortellini was stuffed with roasted garlic and ricotta cheese. Tossed in a light marinara sauce exploding with fresh tomato and basil, it was the best tortellini I've eaten. Period!

Benny told me my meal would be incomplete without a slice of their famous tiramisu. The combination of espresso, mascarpone (an Italian triple-cream cheese made from creme fraiche) and cocoa was heavenly. I was so happy that I did not say no.

Run, don't walk and get in line (reservations recommended) for a scrumptious plate of Italy!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

La Mela

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Entrée

$ 10

$$ 20

$$$ 30

$$$$ 40+

Staff

+ Stop bothering me!

++ Anyone here?

+++ Stopped when in the area.

++++ As needed and friendly.

+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall

& “One visit too many!”

&& “Convince me!”

&&& “I’ll be back!”

&&&& “Same table next week!”

PIANETA GELATO – Puerto Vallarta

Pianeta Gelato can be found in the heart of Zona Romatica across the street from another of my local faves – Joe Jack’s Fish Shack. This area of Vallarta is the older, charming Puerto Vallarta. Zona Romantica is Vallarta's most energized neighborhood with the south side beach, restaurants, bars, lounges and beach side cafes.

Pianeta Gelato is a new casual eatery with 2 different concepts – wood oven fired pizzas and homemade gelato. The short menu offers pizzas, salads, paninis, lasagna, beer and wine. On this visit, Carol, Treavor, Mandy & I went for a pizza dinner.

The pizzeria’s dining area and the pizza oven are outside in a very comfortable garden space with large plants, an overhang providing protection from Vallarta’s golden sun, a rock & water element hiding some of the noise from the street and a collection of sofas near the sidewalk. The sofas are perfect for relaxing and sipping beverages with friends and people watching!

Eloy, the sexiest pizza designer I’ve met, creates one of the best pizzas I’ve found in Puerto Vallarta. For dinner, we devoured 3 of Eloy’s creations. We had 2 Pizza Margheritas – a crust stretched so thin we could almost see through it topped with homemade tomato sauce, freshly shredded mozzarella cheese and thin strips of basil. The third pizza was the Pizza di Prosciutto – again the same incredibly thin crust, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and very thin slices of parma ham providing the “frosting” on this pie. Delizioso!

The pizza pies are fired in a specially designed brick oven within the outdoor pizza prep area located at the far end of the garden. Pizzas are fired for 4-6 minutes depending on the toppings. Each of our pizzas arrived piping hot with charred, cracked edges! The internal oven temperature is approximately 500º Fahrenheit (260º Celsius) with a cooking surface of 380º F (193º C). The oven is never turned off; the wood just burns down. It would take too long each day to fire it up to the required cooking temp.

A shaker containing a dry spice blend of ground red pepper, garlic & onion is found on each table. We all recommend that a couple shakes be added to each slice providing some missing zest to the tomato sauce. Once added, it is difficult to find a better pizza pie in PV.

My friends & I made several stops inside the new gelato space. I did not order gelato but my friends raved about the intense, fresh flavor combinations. However, I did observe a service counter operation that lacked sufficient staff and training to efficiently serve their customers. The “place your gelato order here” & the “pay here” areas are confusing and jam too many customers into a small space. One scooper should not service customers coming from 2 different directions, but there were always 2-3 staffing the cash register. I found it disorganized. If this is resolved, it should be a success.

From the number of occupied garden tables I’ve observed as I pass by this new café, Pianeta Gelato is becoming a popular pizza eatery in Old Town. I know I’ll be returning during this visit, at least for pizza… & I did.

Mmm… Mmm…

www.PianetaGelato.com

$$
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Entrée
$ 10
$ 20
$$ 30
$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

ZELO – Minneapolis

Zelo is one of the better eating establishments in the downtown area. It has been serving exceptional Italian cuisine for 10 years. Today’s experience was no different from previous visits… excellent!

Zelo’s very large contemporary space of chocolate brown walls with accents of gold, silver and exquisitely colored glass is casually elegant and very relaxing. Ask for a table near the window or a large, round corner banquette if there are at least 6 in your party. They offer perfect dining room & sidewalk site lines. The stunning ceiling in the smaller, center dining room is worth a visit!

For lunch, I ordered an off-menu special – the walleye sandwich. The large walleye fillet was lightly breaded and quickly fried. The almost oil-free fillet was very fresh and flaky. Not being a fan of ciabatta buns, I substituted a toasted bun with a generous smear of garlic mayo. I also had a side of their very thin, crispy fries. A dash of salt and I was in heaven.

As always, the entire staff was spot on during my visit – friendly, accommodating and paced. I’ve never been less than satisfied when dining at Zelo.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.zelomn.com

$$
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Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

GUIDA’S PIZZERIA – Rochester NY (Irondequoit)

Guida’s Pizzeria is a family run eatery since 1994, with 5 locations throughout the Rochester area.

The small, comfortable 20-seat pizzeria does a huge business. Your best option is an order to-go; dining in, expect a wait. Those craving some of the best pizza and specialty subs in the area know the line extends around to the parking lot on weekend evenings. It is worth it!

After several hours of shopping, my mom, sister & I stopped for a late lunch & ordered their infamous subs. I had the Schwartzkoff – piled high with ham, breaded & deep fried chicken breast, swiss & mozzarella cheese, shredded lettuce, onion, mayo, and topped with their homemade sweet ‘n sour sauce. All this goodness is served on a toasted homemade in-house 12” sub roll embedded with sesame seeds on both sides. Incredible . . . more than enough to share! The subs are served with a side of warm potato chips (again homemade).

As I was reading the menu, I found a list of homemade sauces for their wings and subs. I ordered a side of the chili lime sauce. Wow – this excellent pureed tomato based sauce bursting with chilies, limejuice and bits of onion was the perfect dipping sauce for the potato chips. Yumm!

The very friendly staff is full of suggestions and eager to assist. As it states in Guida’s menu, “These subs are for serious eaters!” I agree.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://guidaspizzeria.com

$
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Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

TRATTORIA MICHEL - Puerto Vallarta

Trattoria Michel is located in the Zona Romantic area of Puerto Vallarta - the older, charming area of Puerto Vallarta. Trattoria Michel is one of a handful of fine dining options in this unique area of Vallarta. Michel uses only the freshest, highest quality products available, cooking each selection to order. Be patient; it is worth the wait.

Michel has created a very comfortable, casually elegant, space in shades of white with splashes of color coming from the fresh flowers and candles on the tables.

Our condo is just up the hill from Michel's. The first time we walked by the restaurant, it was David who said we needed to make a reservation. I quickly agreed. Michel's is one of my favorites in Vallarta. David & I sat at a table on the wrap-around patio enjoying a tropical evening in paradise.

At Trattoria Michel, my preferred libation is their Grey Goose martini, slightly dirty.

I selected the Insalata di Finocchio con arrancia, pamplemouse, limone y Pecorin Sardo. This very fresh shaved fennel salad was an explosion of flavors - juicy segments of grapefruit, orange and lime - served over wild baby greens topped with Pecorino cheese and a drizzle of grape oil. Excellent!

My entree on this visit was the Milanesa de Pollon con e capperi. This whole, flattened sauteed chicken breast was served with a translucent white wine and lemon sauce, accented with giant caper berries. This succulent chicken had a trio of sides - slivers of steamed sweet-as-sugar carrots, grape tomatoes sauteed in a bit of olive oil, garlic & herbs, and a small mound of steamed baby spinach.

At this point, we asked Michel to join us while he ate his dinner. For dessert, he recommended the Zabaglione with amaretto. The egg whites, sugar and amaretto combine to create a heavenly puff of decadence. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a dessert like I did this evening. Indescribably delicious!

Once again, Michel ensured we had the perfect dining experience... paradise within a paradise. I am quite anxious to return to my favorite table at my favorite restaurant. My trip was originally planned for mid-May, but will now be mid-July.

Link to a prior Trattoria Michel visit

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.trattoria.com.mx/

$$
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Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

TRATTORIA MICHEL – Puerto Vallarta

Trattoria Michel is located in the Zona Romantic area of Puerto Vallarta - the older, charming area of Puerto Vallarta. Trattoria Michel is one of a handful of fine dining options in this unique area of Vallarta. Michel uses only the freshest, highest quality products available, cooking each selection to order.

Michel has created a very comfortable, casually elegant, space in shades of white with splashes of color coming from the fresh flowers and candles on the tables. Bruno & I sat at a table on the wrap-around patio enjoying a tropical evening in paradise.

Oscar, our very attentive server, took my “request” seriously – my slightly dirty Belvedere martini was never empty! Perfect every time.

I began another incredible meal at Michel’s with the jumbo sea scallops. These delicious morsels, marinated in honey and Spanish paprika, were quick seared creating a mouthwatering, caramelized crust. These succulent scallops were served on a bed of organic wild baby greens and sliced grape tomatoes.

My second course was the traditional Insulata Caprese. The thin slices of cow’s milk mozzarella (made fresh daily) are layered with slices of locally grown, juicy beefsteak tomatoes. This wonderful, light salad is drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of coarse sea salt. The dinner guests at the table next to us were also raving about the great simple salad.

Bruno and I decided to share the Bistecca Fiorentina. The 1-kilo bone-in, perfectly aged and marbled steak was wonderfully seasoned with rosemary, roasted garlic cloves, sea salt and cracked black pepper. It was grilled to perfection with slightly charred edges. This very traditional Tuscan dish is served over arugula and a few lemon wedges. Flawless!

We also shared a side of spinach sautéed in extra virgin olive oil; the spinach was served slightly dry with a few tidbits of roasted garlic and grated parmigiano reggiano.

Michel and Oscar’s charm and hospitality on each of my visits have made Trattoria Michel’s one of my 3 favorites in Puerto Vallarta since Boca Bento’s move to Mismaloya, 5 miles south of Vallarta.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

http://www.trattoria.com.mx/

$$$
+++++
✦✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

AROMA KITCHEN & WINEBAR - New York City - Bowery area

Aroma Kitchen & Winebar is a small, relaxed restaurant with seating for approximately 26 including the intimate bar area. Those diners fortunate to get seat will be treated to an incredible meal of very fresh ingredients delivering intense flavors throughout their dining experience. The long narrow space of color, high ceilings and dark woods create a very comfortable ambiance. You will be surprised how quickly 2 hours will disappear. This evening my dear friend, Sean, and I were treated to the soothing sounds of Daniel; he is a superb acoustic guitar player from Argentina. His rhythms were the perfect background with volume allowing conversation without yelling!

We ordered from their Sunday evening 3-course Prix Fixe menu. For $29, that's right, $29, you can choose from 5 appetizers, 5 entrees and 3 desserts. For an additional $8, you can enjoy a glass of house red or white with your meal. I began with the Caesar salad - a generous serving of greens, croutons, parmigiano reggiano, anchovy, & a very smooth Caesar dressing (homemade, of course). This satisfying starter was topped with a poached egg. The egg provided a delicate balance to the anchovy draped across the top of the salad.

My entree was the Whole Wheat Penne with roasted artichokes. The organic pasta was perfectly cooked, accompanied by cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. This bowl of heaven was lightly tossed in a pureed artichoke sauce of artichokes, onion, celery and thyme. All of this goodness was dusted with fresh grated parmigiano reggiano.

For dessert, Sean & I, ordered the Gianduja Panna Cotta and Vanilla Bread Pudding. The lighter-than-air panna cotta was delicately flavored with Italian chocolate and hazelnuts resting on a bed of lightly sweetened graham cracker crumbs nestled next to a dollop of decadently smooth hazelnut gelato (nocciola gelato).

The vanilla bread pudding was a sinful blend of Italian bread, golden raisins, and a very smooth warm chocolate sauce drizzled over the plate. You have the option of dipping your bites of sin in the very fresh vanilla bean ice cream (correctly referred to as stracciatella gelato) with bits of chocolate chips. We could not decide which was our favorite. Make it easy; order both!

The very visible & friendly owners, Alexandra & Vito, move among the tables ensuring all their guests have a memorable evening. This neighborhood gem was named to the "Sexiest Wine Lists of NY" in January '08 and CitySearch's "Best Romantic Bar" in '06.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...

http://www.aromanyc.com

$$
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$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

TOAST WINE BAR & CAFÉ - Minneapolis

Toast Wine Bar & Café is fairly new restaurant (opened 12/06) in the revitalized warehouse district near the Mississippi River. Toast is a cozy, friendly neighborhood café nestled among high-end lofts, condos and apartments. The space has an artsy loft feel with its black walls and the vibrant pieces of hanging art.

My friend, Joel, recently returned to live in Minneapolis; we often look for the “neighborhood gems”. We both agree that Toast is definitely a hidden gem. The focus of Toast’s short menu is the crostinis and pizzas. Their wine list is far more extensive – something for most palates. I began with a delicious Malbec from Argentina. This wonderful medium bodied red paired perfectly with both my starters and dinner.

I needed a quick nibble before I ordered. I started with a small bowl olives; they were nothing extraordinary. Wanting something else, I chose a crostini topped with mound of white beans, sun-dried tomatoes and a hint of garlic. Scrumptious! Just what I needed until my dinner and second glass of Malbec arrived. My recommendation would be to skip the olives and order another of the 8 crostinis on the menu.

This evening I ordered the pizza with wild mushrooms, provolone, leeks and white truffle oil. A bit too much truffle oil, but definitely not enough to keep me from ordering it again. Next time, I will request less oil. The cracker thin crust & the decadently simple toppings were sensational!

Erin, the owner, and the friendly staff made all their dinner guests feel very welcomed.

I can honestly say I do not know the last time I ate more than one small slice of pizza or for that matter - an entire personal sized pizza by myself. Toast has changed my mind. Fantastico!

Mmm, Mmm…

$
++++
✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

BENVENUTO - West Hollywood

Benvenuto is a charming Italian restaurant in West Hollywood. This eatery has 3 dining spaces – al fresco, canopied and indoors. We chose the canopied area with some heaters because it was raining in Los Angeles. Yes, it is true; Los Angeles received almost ½ “ of rain in one day! It is a beautiful space with dark woods, interesting lighting, eclectic artwork and a beautiful staff.

As we waited for our libations, & I mean waited, we nibbled on bite-sized pieces of warm, charred flat bread with an incredible garlic infused olive oil. I was surprised when our server mentioned the bar offered only lower end flavored vodkas. None the less, once the cocktails arrived, they were perfect. However, drink slowly; it can be along time between rounds.

For dinner, I had the Petti di Pollo Paillard. This is a skinless, boneless full chicken breast that has been pounded and grilled. Near the end of the grilling, a fantastic Dijon mustard glaze is spread on one side. This was a chicken breast done right – quickly grilled to sear in the juices. Superb! The chicken was served with a generous side of fresh carrots, pea pods and beans. The veggies were flash steamed keeping their snap and color.

The service is slow and somewhat inattentive. If you do not have a schedule or you would like a relaxing, unhurried dining experience, I would recommend Benvenuto.

Mmm, Mmm...

$$
+++
✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

PAZZALUNA - St Paul

Pazzaluna is located in downtown St Paul. The area is experiencing a significant revitalizing – new lofts, conversions, & restaurants.

My dinner guests and I were in the mood for Italian. Pazzaluna’s colorful, energetic space is a good stop for a casual evening out with friends. The dining room’s 30 foot high ceilings allows for easy conversation at your table.

I started with the Fritto Misto – lightly fried calamari and thin, fried vegetable strips, pepperoncini peppers, and sweet onions. The plate is drizzled with a roasted garlic aioli and lemon. I would recommend a pass on this starter. The calamari were non-existent (only 4 tiny pieces); the vegetable strips were overcooked, tasting somewhat burnt. The best of this greasy concoction was the fantastic garlic and lemon sauce.

For dinner I selected the Capesante – the very fresh, jumbo scallops were sautéed and served on a bed of luscious pureed cauliflower. The drizzle of hazelnut vinaigrette was delicious. The scallops were accompanied by a side of the freshest tomato confit I’ve eaten in some time – exceptional.

The evening was enjoyable, but we decided to move on and have our desserts elsewhere.

Mmm, Mmm

www.pazzaluna.com

$$$
+
✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

FUZIO - San Francisco

Fuzio is a small, very friendly café in the Castro neighborhood. The menu features Thai and Italian cuisine.

My very good friend, Rich, treated me to lunch. He ordered for both of us; I could not have been more pleased. For a starter, we shared the Firecracker Lettuce Wraps. The firecracker marinated chicken is cooked with tidbits of portobello mushrooms and water chestnuts. The wraps are served with a carrot & ginger salad and leaves of iceberg lettuce for wrapping. The sweet chili vinaigrette dipping sauce is fantastic. This very flavorful plate is an excellent starter to your meal.

For my luncheon entrée, I had the Sukiyaki Noodle Bowl with bite-sized strips of very tender steak. It was an incredible blend of sake wine and soy sauce tossed with onions, slivers of fresh ginger, generous pieces of shiitake mushrooms and Shanghai noodles. This Asian bowl was absolutely delicious. I am still licking my lips.

The very diverse lunch guests and full bar made for a very enjoyable and entertaining afternoon. If you happen to be driving, be certain to bring a pocket full of quarters. The parking meters are very hungry.

Fuzio prides itself on ensuring every plate that comes from their kitchen is rich in authentic flavors and ingredients. The tag line on their business card “Savor the world one forkful at a time.” is so very true! I wish there was a Fuzio nearer to my home.

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm

http://fuzio.com

$$
++++
✦✦✦

Entrée
$ $10
$$ $20
$$$ $30
$$$$ $40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”