By Audrey van Petegem, Contributing Editor
I went to Italy with a girlfriend of mine last spring.  Lori was there to do research for her book and I gladly tagged along as her, ahem, “research assistant”. Lori has traveled to Italy on many occasions and is quite familiar with the Italian fare. She introduced me to the Italians’ answer to sparkling wine: Prosecco is dry, lemony and frizzante! I was hooked on my first sip. It was a perfect drink after a full day of walking around Rome. Italians consider it the ideal apperitivo. It is also, of course, used to [...]

Worth the detour. We actually stumbled upon this little gem “by accident” on our way to Sonoma. We were searching for something “charming”and Risibisi Restaurant delivered that and then some.
Cool bistro decor. We were immediately welcomed by one of the restaurant owners of this casually chic restaurant. As always,I like the know “the story” behind everything (a weird obsession and kinda the premise behind The Succulent Wife’s Gift Company) so I peppered the gentleman with questions. He was proud to say that he and his partner were the real deal real Italians. No Fettuccine Alfredo here. Although we did get [...]