Panettone

Here is a tower of panettone, a type of Italian Christmas bread, at Whole Foods Supermarket in Union Square. The festive confection is becoming increasing popular in the US and frequently given as gifts. The quality of the photo isn't the best because I snapped it with my cell phone.

So have you ever had a panettone?

Vesuvio Bakery in SoHo

The Vesuvio Bakery, on Prince Street between Thompson and West Broadway, has been in business for eighty years. It was serving Italian style baked goods and great coffee way back when SoHo was considered an undesirable commercial warehouse district. It is amazing that the bakery is still here.

Okay, enough about the photos. What goodies did you get for Christmas? I got some movie passes/coupons, subscriptions to various magazines and a box of chocolate.

Dinner at Otto Enoteca

Last Friday night, my colleagues and I went out to dinner at Otto Enoteca, the least expensive restaurant on American Iron Chef, Mario Battali's stable of restaurants in New York City. I ordered the thin crust pizza, which was really good. My friend ordered the pasta with Italian sausage and it was awful. All in all, the food was a mediocre but the dining company was excellent.

So what is your favorite cuisine?

Back in New York City

I'm back in NYC and regular programming will resume.

This photo was taken a couple months ago at an Italian cafe called, Caffe Dante in the Greenwich Village . My friend and I were early for a movie so we stopped in here for some coffee and gelati, and that was when I noticed the reflection on the window. What you see there are some of the most beautiful and expensive townhouses in Manhattan. These buildings are very characteristic of the Village's architecture. The cafe is very popular among hipsters and tourists alike, so if you are even in NYC, you should stop by Caffe Dante.

So how was your month of July when I was away? Did anything exciting happen?

Mange Al Fresco

The weather this weekend was absolutely gorgeous; we had 75˚F (24˚C) temperature, low humidity and plenty of sunshine. It was our first warm weekend of the season and everyone was outside enjoying the weather, including me. One of the most thrilling things about warm Spring weather in NYC is al fresco dining. Few restaurants have outdoor seatings but those that do, are always packed with a hungry crowd.

This photo, taken outside of Cipriani Downtown, shows the waiter spooning freshly cooked pasta onto individual serving plates for the diners at the table. Cipriani Downtown is one of the most popular and expensive restaurants in one of the most popular and expensive neighborhoods (SoHo) in Manhattan. Most of the diners, I assume, are wealthy European expatriates who can afford $25 for a plate of pasta. But then again, it only costs them €18.