Pasticceria La Cova a Milano!!!

One of my favorite things about Milan is the way they do "happy hour" and the absolute best place to get it is at Pasticceria La Cova on Via Monte Napoleone.

The magnificent quality, ambiance and incredible selection of complimentary appetizers more than make up for the haughtiness in the air; attitudes stem from the Gucci and Prada clad clientele in this famous bar/cafe/pastry shop and the anti-photo policy of the management.

I keep going back again and again for the fresh 'foccacia', 'pizzette', mozzarella balls, chunks of 'salumi' and monster size 'capri' among many other delectables to enjoy with the best 'Spritz' in Milano. Io amo Italia!

www.pasticceriacova.it

I won!

I am now the proud winner of a beautiful sign by Mammabellarte! She creates these wonderful, whimsical custom signs that I wish I could hang in my future Tuscan Villa. I love the artful simplicity. Visit her blog for more on her creations.

http://mammabellarte.blogspot.com/

Thanks Rita!!!

Bistro Incroyablement Bon!

Wow, another great Paris layover with some excellent bistro fare. Le Baribal near Metro Pasteur was a hit with all four of us. I got the suggestion from another traveling francophile recently who raved about the Escalope de Veau au Roquefort. She was more than right. The rich and slight crustly Roquefort cream sauce smothered the succulent veal escalope accompanied by thin green beans and pommes de terre. All washed down with red table wine, we were all soaking up the extra sauce with the crusty french baguette slices. I was so glad to be able to share this wonderful meal with 3 others since I'll start to fly to Rome again starting next month...Cabonara here I come. Stay tuned!

Je vous embrasse.

Roma=Amore

I'm dreaming of Roma. The romantic Rome of winding cobblestone streets, bright stucco walls, thin crust pizza with burnt edges bursting with flavor, incredible uomini decked out in three piece suits even when it's 90 degrees, pasta cabonara that tastes like an entire wedge of parmesan melted inside of it, inexpensive fine red wine & my favorite aperitif...un 'Spritz' ( Campari, Prosecco and soda with an orange twist! )

mamma mia vorrei andarci stasera!!!!

To express the romantic essence of Rome, I am sharing my collection of Marian art around Rome. When strolling the streets you find them mostly on the corner of buildings.. Many depict the image of Mary by herself, others of her with baby Jesus.

A little history on Marian art:

http://www.fisheaters.com/images.html

CHAMPAGNE CHAMPAGNE CHAMPAGNE!!!

J'adore le champagne! I love champagne...

And I'm a stickler for making sure when I ask for champagne, I am not being served sparkling wine. There is a difference. I also love all the different type of glasses this fabulous beverage is served in...that aside.

As you know, champagne is only made in France and since I'll be spending my birthday in France this year, I've already asked my friends to order me a case from a local producer to be chilled and ready for consumption upon my arrival. I can't wait! Fresh baguettes, beurre au fleur de sel, jambon de bayonne

( more on all that later! ). This article is a fun description of what I am talking about:

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/triumph-of-small-champagne-growers

A LITTLE HISTORY AND INTERESTING FACTS ON CHAMPAGNE and THE WORD 'CHAMPAGNE'

There are many sparkling wines produced worldwide, yet most legal structures reserve the term champagne exclusively for sparkling wines from the Champagne region, made in accordance with Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne regulations. In the European Union and many other countries, the name champagne is legally protected by the Treaty of Madrid (1891) designating only the sparkling wine produced in the eponymous region and adhering to the standards defined for it as an Appellation d'origine contrôlée; the right was reaffirmed in the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. This legal protection has been accepted by numerous other countries worldwide.

Assez!!! Let's toast to health, love and wealth !

...and the winner of the Italian photo giveaway is.....Patsy DesChenes of Decorus Vita!!!!

Visit her blog at http://thedecoratedlife.blogspot.com/

Auguri!

Thanks for participating. You can see a photo of my beautiful daughter choosing the winner this morning.

This has been a week of training on airplanes and not flying on them. I'm on call this upcoming weekend and the sky's the limit. I could go anywhere. Stay tuned for details on my next adventure!

Cheers

Paris news and Photo giveaway!

Back from Paris again and a wonderful meal at one of my favorite restaurants in the Bastille area, Chez Paul, on rue de Charonne.

We started some 'coupes de champagne' and a delightful 'salade frisee aux lardons avec un oeuf poche' and some 'escargots', followed by some amazing 'steak au poivre et gratin dauphinois' all washed down with, of course, 'du vin rouge'.

I'll be posting some more distant images of my Paris experience soon!

I'll be posting links to my favorites places in Paris under 'Paris favoris' to the right. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I must share the great meals I have with others so they can also enjoy the non-touristy places that I frequent. Enjoy!

Your comments to this post will enter you into my Photo Giveaway...PLEASE NOTE:

FOR ALL GIVEAWAYS, FOLLOWERS OF MY BLOG WILL BE GIVEN 2 ENTRIES FOR THE DRAWING

I'll randomly select a winner that will announced next week! Stay tuned...