I’m a former Brooklyn dweller who is now learning the intricacies of composting and gardening in the beautiful Bay Area.
For me, the small neighborhood of Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn was the culinary capital of the east coast. From the hand-made mozzarella at Caputo’s to the anchovy pizza at Lucali’s, this little enclave provided everything I thought my taste buds desired.
But then I moved to the East Bay.
Between the multitude of farmers’ markets, the Berkeley Bowl, Monterey Market and the numerous restaurants that only use fresh, local ingredients – I can safely say life on the East Coast is behind me.
This blog will be my evolution into year-round local cooking and eating. Expect to find recipes, restaurant reviews, interviews with the farmers and loads of photos of what eating in the East Bay is all about.
Now for my cooking...
It all started in the remote village of Grassano, perched on a hillside in Italy’s Puglia. My great-grandmother grew up in this village, and my appreciation for food and cooking all began with her.
The town of Grassano in Puglia.
While I like to experiment with all flavors and ingredients, my heart lies in Italian cooking. Authentic dishes from all regions of the boot, with maybe a twist here or there, depending on what’s in season.
As I open my kitchen and a bit of my life to you, I hope you find some inspiration for your own cooking, and maybe even a reason to smell the local lemons of Berkeley for yourself.
