What's in this Issue:

From Tom:

The great part of my job is that I am often invited to different parts of the country for events of all shapes and sizes. I've recently spent a fair amount of time on the East Coast, which included visits to my old stomping grounds in Delaware, which everyone knows is a suburb of Philadelphia.

If anyone hasn't had the "pleasure" of strolling through the Italian market in South Philly, (Philadelphia, for those of you on the West Coast) you don't know what you're missing. Fifty-pound provolones drip oils onto the sawdust floor (and sometimes on your hair), open cans of salted anchovies make your nose twitch, homemade soprasettas hang overhead, and bin after bin of an amazing variety of olives line the aisles of little shops. There are dozens of those 1950's style Italian-American restaurants, the type that Joey Bishop used to hold court in. And just when you're ready to buy that big Italian sausage, a fly the size of a crow lands on it. That's the good part.

Here's the great part; walking through the market is something of an obstacle course, requiring that you step over piles of produce trimmings left to rot on the sidewalks. There are rusty barrels stationed at every corner to burn garbage and the resulting ash rains down everywhere. Street vendors with stolen A&P shopping carts sell "hot" goods like Palmolive dish soap or ladies slippers. The storefront awnings hang in shreds and the place has the feel of a tent city in Rio de Janeiro. There's just nothing like it anymore and actually after so many characterless supermarkets, I love that it's still there.

A quick trip to Boston and I still have my same old favorite hangouts, even though one has changed hands. The new Café Louis on Newberry Street replaces the old Café Louis and is now owned by George and Johanne Killeen, better known for their great Providence, R.I. restaurant Al Forno. We had the most incredible arugula and Gorgonzola pizza and a gorgeous lemon meringue tart. Two old standbys's, Biba and Olives, were as good as ever. The Provincetown scallops and tater tots were especially good at Biba and the bluefish with lobster sauce at Olive's was to die for.

After stuffing ourselves silly, it was our turn to cook at Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton, Rhode Island. The crabs we brought from the Northwest went great with the Vidal Blanc that Susan and Earl Samson make on their picturesque estate. When you are in the area, be sure to make time for a visit. We are going to try to feature some of their wines on our wine lists soon.

Turning 40 this August, I felt the need to go Formula One racecar driving at Sears Point in Sonoma County. Thank God I was with a group of "older men"; Peter Dow of Cavatappi Winery and Café Juanita, Michael Teer of Pike and Western Wine Shop and Clay Mackie of Chinook Winery. These three have considerable experience of middle age-ness, and helped me transition the Great Divide between 39 and 40. It's a good thing that the package included crowbars to get us in and out or we'd still be lodged in those puny cars.

Have a great summer - Tom and Jackie.