The Italian Way

Last night I headed over to Oso Restaurant for a glass of wine and some cheese. I always enjoy the humble hospitality of Stephane and Diego, who so gracefully look after thier guests. It was over a glass of Nebbiolo and a beautiful cheese plate that I reminisced of my time spent in the upper half of the boot. Italians are by far the most hospitable and kind people I have ever met. They welcome each day with a sense of wonderment and a sincere appreciation for the act of eating and drinking. They relish the perfect slice of prosciutto, wait months for the first insanely ripe tomato to pull from the vine and wax poetic about wines made from thier obscure indigenous grapes. Quality always trumps quantity and from village to village the cooking is local and seasonal with variations abound. What always strikes me is the simplicity of the offerings and the feeling that at that very moment you are eating the best thing in the world. It is these memories that spur my quest to find or produce the best ingredients I can. As most of you know, the tomatoes are my first project, but I laso hope to bring many other locally grown vegetables and fruit to the table soon.

I head off to New York and Boston next week for my Holiday and hope to file in when I get a few spare moments from the endless barage of eating and drinking. I will certainly remember that eating well is a matter of simplicity and sometimes living life to the fullest means living life one day at a time just like in Italy.