ITALIA RUSTICA JULY 29th!



We were going to do Provence next, but decided to do Italy to honor the World Cup winners (and because Italian food involves lots of good summer produce).

6:30 pm

$40 Italia Feast

Prosecco
Antipasto plate
Pasta course
Main course (vegetarian option by request)
Italian wines
Dessert and coffee


As always, please RSVP in the comments section and state how many guests you will bring. This night will be extra special because Hannah's mom and dad will be in town!

Dreaming of Spain...


Thank you for coming and giving us the chance to indulge our Spanish yen! It was great to be among so many friends, new and old. And special thanks to those sweet angels that put extra money in the envelope.

|Cavas:
1 + 1 = 3 Cava Brut (a terrific value)
Sumarroca Cava Brut Reserva (from Penedes)
Avinyo Cava Brut Reserva (also from Penedes)
|Tempranillo:
Izadi Crianza '01 (from Rioja)
You can find all of these at the Spanish Table.

|Spanish Cheeses with Quince Paste, Olives and Marcona Almonds

|White Sangria

|Red Sangria

|Spinach Tortilla with Pickled Red Onions (from the Cesar cookbook; there is an excellent, yet time-consuming recipe for pickles in the Zuni Cafe cookbook)

|Jamon Serrano ("Mountain Ham") with Grilled Figs and Crumbly Hazelnut Picada
The recipe for the delicious Catalan topping is from the Zuni Cafe cookbook. The secret ingredients are mint and orange zest.

|Grilled Potatoes and Green Onions with Romesco Sauce

|Salmorejo Cordobes (Cordoban Gazpacho)

|Paella Cesar with Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Chorizo and Chicken
This recipe is from the Cesar cookbook. Our secret ingredient was L-O-V-E.

|Crema de Chocolate with Caramelized Oranges and Whipped Cream
(This recipe is also from the Cesar cookbook.*)

Stay tuned for details on our next installment, inspired by today's World Cup victors. It's tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 29, and will feature special guests Mark and Regina Dunn.

*Just go ahead and buy it already. By the way, there will soon be a new Cesar Restaurant opening on Piedmont Ave., which location will allow us to walk or bike home after tipping back some of those perfect gimlets.