Woke up in Paris this morning, glorious sunshine, bustling market on the rue Montorgueil. Bakery sells exquisite, baguette-like loaf called La Flûte Gana; will get photo tomorrow.
Online, check the Seattle Times: feature in the Pacific Northwest supplement on the Ozette potato. Looks familiar! Ah, that's right, it's a story we ran here on Cornichon almost four months ago, back when it was, er, "news." Way to go, Times!
Friday's Post-Intelligencer had long-awaited review of Sorrentino. Fill-in restaurant writer Leslie Kelly was disappointed that Mamma Enza hadn't stopped by her table at a dinner where she and a friend ordered enough for a party of four (and then complained that the bill was $150). I was saddened by the review; so was Enza, whose English is halting and who hasn't mastered the role of gladhanding host. I could post a really snarky blog entry, but Enza's going to turn the other cheek. "I want to write her a thank-you note," she told me. "But it will have to be in Italian."
What happened, Leslie Kelly? You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the rock, to borrow a phrase from the "caveman ads" !
She wrote, "one of the staff (was that you Fabio?)....sat down with a bowl of pasta to watch soccer on the TV anchored above the bar. Mamma Mia!"
How much more authenic do you want it, Leslie? You would have to travel to Italy itself to catch that image; certainly not expected or usually enjoyed in the USA.
Every one of my evenings at Sorrentino has been superb in every category. That has been the experience of every friend I have sent there too.
I allege that Leslie missed the mark. An Italian thank you note from Enza would be a classy dot over the "i" in LOVING. Dr. Joe
It seems Seattle in general is pretty uptight when it comes to restaurants. Sorrentino, in my experience, has that authentic Italian family feel. Totally refreshing and a welcome departure from the trendy and sterile hipster restaurants where everyone wants to be a star. Get behind the velvet rope Leslie!
Oh so sad to hear of nasty politics! I think the key words are, "Fill-in" writer....but after reading the article (thank god not everyone does) it actually brought me to focus on the positive that she actually wrote of course.....here's one positive quote, "A housemade gnocchi with speck -- cold-smoked ham -- offered a hint of the kitchen's potential. It was a simple preparation but beautifully showcased the bits of slightly salty meat lazing against the pillowy dumplings. In a less-is-more approach, this dish was an absolute home run, and generous enough to share as a prelude to a main course". Hum..."Abosolute home run" & "beuatifully showcased"... Made me go! Don't worry Mamma, we love you and all your hard work!