Italian food comments

DavidMn · #1 12-07-2005, 12:37 PM

Ok, I have THE biggest weakness for Italian food, as my waist line will attest to,

but one thing I've never gotten is Pesto. I dont know what it is, but maybe it's the whole green color. The boyfriend and I ate the other day at this place here in Minneapolis called Buca, which serves family style southern Italian food, and mmmmm. A little Veal Parmigiana here, some baked Ziti there, HEAVEN!!!!

Some others thoughts on good italian places youve eaten at or good dishes you prepare at home would be welcome!!!

GypsySorcerer · #2 12-07-2005, 12:44 PM

I share your weakness for Italian food. Basically, I love anything that is loaded with cheese.

And, I love Buca. Their caesar salad is delish.

DavidMn · #3 12-07-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I share your weakness for Italian food. Basically, I love anything that is loaded with cheese.

And, I love Buca. Their caesar salad is delish.

Yeah, and anything you order there could feed like a whole stable of horses....

GypsySorcerer · #4 12-07-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Yeah, and anything you order there could feed like a whole stable of horses....

Now I want Buca, and there's none around here.

Thanks a lot, David.

DavidMn · #5 12-07-2005, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

Now I want Buca, and there's none around here.

Thanks a lot, David.

Oh man, I'm sorry. Hey but I have a tip for you to make up for it. Next time you're in St.Louis, check out this place that's near Busch stadium called Charlie Gitto's. I think it's still there. It's quite famous and alot of sports figures have eaten there. I love it!!

GypsySorcerer · #6 12-07-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Oh man, I'm sorry. Hey but I have a tip for you to make up for it. Next time you're in St.Louis, check out this place that's near Busch stadium called Charlie Gitto's. I think it's still there. It's quite famous and alot of sports figures have eaten there. I love it!!

I will; thanks for the recommendation.

When I was home for Thanksgiving, one of my friends and I were going to drive over to St. Louis to see what's left of Busch, but we didn't get to. They auctioned off almost everything from there.......even trash cans.

DavidMn · #7 12-07-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

I will; thanks for the recommendation.

When I was home for Thanksgiving, one of my friends and I were going to drive over to St. Louis to see what's left of Busch, but we didn't get to. They auctioned off almost everything from there.......even trash cans.

So how much has been torn down now? I heard they couldnt do the big implosion thing cause it's so close to the new place.

GypsySorcerer · #8 12-07-2005, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

So how much has been torn down now? I heard they couldnt do the big implosion thing cause it's so close to the new place.

You know, I'm not really sure. I think it's over half gone a this point.

Jyqm · #9 12-07-2005, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Some others thoughts on good italian places youve eaten at

There are some great Italian places in Chicago, especially around the near South Side. There's a place called Gennaro's on Taylor Street, I believe, that boasts some amazing veal dishes. Their gnocchi is very good, too.

DavidMn · #10 12-07-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jyqm

There are some great Italian places in Chicago, especially around the near South Side. There's a place called Gennaro's on Taylor Street, I believe, that boasts some amazing veal dishes. Their gnocchi is very good, too.

I'll say this, Italian placea that are truly authentic are a treat like no other!!! I will remember forever when I was in Italy back in 2002 and the tour group I was with ate at this rustic place outside Florence... WOW a true Tuscan delight!!!!

sparky · #11 12-07-2005, 01:58 PM

I love all Italian food.
Pasta, could live on it. Load it with garlic and parmesan and fresh tomatoes.
If I make some at home, I use fresh basil, truckloads of garlic, roma tomatoes, and imported parmesan. This, however, happens rarely. If I ate Italian as much as I would like - big as a house. New wardrobe. I have it maybe once a month.

SuzeQuze · #12 12-07-2005, 02:13 PM

Anyone can get cannoli - the read North End deal - here http://www.mikespastry.com/. Don't hate me because I spread the pastry love!

There is a place called Lucca that is divine. They have fantastic service, ambiance, and the menu is amazing. It is just a bit short. They serve Italian with a modern flair, the food is creative. There are plenty of places for the "regular" fare as well. I'm too cheap to eat out much though so somehow I am not a cow! I am also a fan of the cheese. I love chicken Marsala too, or even bracculatini (sp?) (rolled chicken/veal with fontina cheese and prosciutto in marsala wine sauce). I love the fresh tomato, basil, fresh mozzarella salads. Pizza, I am a complete addict when it comes to pizza. There's a place that makes 18" subs for $7 and they are so good, especially the Italian. They put richly red, ripe tomatoes on it and finish it of with balsamic vinegar. Oh it is so good. For dessert I like cannoli, my favorite has the ends dipped in chocolate. Mike's now has a new one though that is all chocolate. The shell is dipped in chocolate, the inside is filled with chocolate mousse and the ends are dipped in mini chocolate chips. That is the most amazing chocolate dessert I have ever eaten! And I love the dense breads with infused olive oil for dipping. Shall I go on?

Richard B · #13 12-07-2005, 02:31 PM

I also enjoy Italian food...and I do love anything pesto (This is made of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. Some versions will also add parsley and walnuts or pine nuts. The ingredients are ground into a paste and moistened with the olive oil).

I also love gnocchi when made properly. North Beach area of San Francisco has some amazing italian restaurants...my fav is Michelangelo's. Heaven.

Pisces Queen · #14 12-07-2005, 02:39 PM

Since I have been married to an Italian ~ my new last name is Tuliano ~ I have become a very good Italian food conasore. My favorite dish is egg plant parmesan. I just learned to make it myself. My husband makes the best sauce ever. We made cheesecake from scratch last Saturday. It’s fun to stay in the kitchen and cook with him all day. But the next morning I know I had put on atleast 5 pounds.

JazmenFlowers · #15 12-07-2005, 02:45 PM

I'm not really fond of Italian food and especially hate Pesto, but then again I don't like pizza and am not fond of spaghetti. I don't know what it is about Italian food, but it just isn't pleasant to me. And it gives me the runs...