coombe's Profile
Cheese in iceland
I would like to visit a farm house or industry in Iceland where visitors can see how the cheese is made. I know some tourists have been able to do a tour of a Skyr factory but i cannot seem to find anything on the internet outside of Reykjavik, Does anyone have any information of this sort?
Vegetarian Dining Suggestions in Northern Italy in June
Traditionally it is made with anchovies, but you can ask as I do believe some people make it without.
Vegetarian Dining Suggestions in Northern Italy in June
If you just simply say "con brodo di carne?" you will be asking whether or not it contains the meat stock and then you can decide.
Seeking salt cod recipe - moved from Italy board
I can remember my mother making it with very simple ingredients. Once the salt cod has been soaked overnight and flushed with fresh water, cut it into chunks about 3-4 inches long and about 2 inches wide. Put some olive oil in a large pan (preferably the shallow frying pan type) ad some peeled whole flat onions (others will do if you can find them), the pieces of cod and chopped tomatoes. Bring to boil and allow to simmer on a very low heat for an hour or so. Very very simple. Great with boiled potatoes.
Weekend in Bologna - Jan or Feb 2010
For food in an around Bologna/Modena you can try contacting Levolpiciccione.it - excellent for the Balsamic Vinegar. But if you want something really wonderful, try contacting Parmagolosa - staff@parmagolosa.it. You need to set aside a whole day for this but you will get to see the remarkable way Parmesan cheese and Parma ham are made. Not cheap but it will be an experience to remember.
Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna in early January?
A day in Parma could be ideal for hearty food, especially as it is likely to be cold! You could also try visiting the Parmesan cheese and ham factories as they operate all year round. Try contacting staff@parmagolosa.it. They organise some really good days out like this.
Italian Culinary Tour - where to start?
Are you looking for cookery classes or touring the country visiting vineyards, dairies etc?
Brick chicken in Rome?
Well, I am Italian and have lived for most of my life in the country without ever having had the pleasure of tasting such a dish. However, I've done some research for you and it is known as "pollo al mattone" here. In Rome I have found a restaurant known as L'Ambasciata di Capri". http://www.ambasciatadicapri.com/home.html - I've never been there so I don't know what it's like!
Stew
I live in Britain where it seems that, apart from Sunday roast, everything else has to be quick and semi raw.
Stew
I have always loved stews and casseroles and enjoy making them. But most of my friends have never made one and I have to say that I can't think of many (or any) restaurants that would have anything like this on the menu. Has stew gone completely out of fashion?
Parma or Bologna?
Wednesday and Saturday mornings are market days in Parma. Thursday afternoon everything is shut.
Where to stay - Parma/Modena or ????
That Country House Leoni looks wonderful! I must give it a try.
Where to stay - Parma/Modena or ????
There are plenty of hotels in Parma, probably the best is the Hotel de la Ville. This is a 5-star situated close to the centre and where you can park your car.
If you do a gourmet tour I would suggest you try contacting staff@parmagolosa.it.
I don't know Modena very well at all, so I can't help you there.
A non-touristy, small town food mecca...?
...and if you go there, try to include a trip to one or more of the food speciality places round Parma . I did one many years ago with Parmagolosa. The contact I have for them is staff@parmagolosa.it.
In Rome over christmas
http://www.ristorantidiroma.com/capodanno/capodanno2007/rubrica07.html
Have a look at this. It will tell you who is open and when over the Christmas period - "aperto" = open "chiuso" = shut
Florence restaurants-What do you think of this list?
I don't blame you! But he might have been saying nice things so don't get too upset.
Culinary tours?
I'm quite curious to hear how your tour went. Did you actually go for any of the options you were given?
so three classics students walk into a wine bar...(rome)
I would have thought you could do this in any bar in Italy. Just chose one you like the look of.
Too Much Tuscan Food
It could have been "agnello" - lamb, or "asinina/o" - donkey. Italians do eat donkey meat, especially in the north and is considered no different from eating lamb, beef, pork, chicken or horse.
restaurant etiquette
My best advice is to order as you go along. If you like feeling quite hungry start with an antipasto unless you don't really fancy any of the ones that are on the menu. Then order the primo or secondo after you've finished that. If you're still hungry there's absolutely no problem in ordering something else. It's perfectly acceptable to ask for a piece of cheese or a large salad after your second or third course. As for desserts, restaurants have them because tourists want them but they are not a typically Italian thing. Usually a piece of fruit or fruit salad is the Italian way of ending a meal. If a restaurant have gelato artigianale or makes its own and you like ice cream then you can go for that. Otherwise just skp it unless the restaurant specialises in these things. You will notice that Italians eat sweet things for breakfast.
Doggie bags? It doesn't look good.
Truffle hunting in ALBA
Try a place calle "Tra Arte e Querce" in Monchiero.
ezioetclelia@tiscali.it
I went last year for an authentic truffle hunt - it was great
What to wear - restaurants in Italy
Generally speaking there is no dress code for going to restaurants in Italy. Most Italians look smart even when wearing t-shirt and jeans. I have been to many a wedding in Italy where there has been everything from the designer outfit to the track-suit.
Unless you are going to a particurly special event I really wouldn't worry too much.
Culinary tours?
i have now recommended these Parma tours several times to my friends and no-one has been disappointed. I went myself a few years ago and though I know some of the places they go to are not the same anymore, I seem to remember it was very interesting. I didn't do the balsamic vinegar so I can't say what that's like but one of my friends said it was the highlight of the trip. I think you can still contact the organisers through staff@parmagolosa.it
Expectations of food costs in Italy
The prices do vary an awful lot depending on many things such as the area you are visiting, the type of restaurant and what you order. However, I live in Parma where you would probably only spend 100/150 between two people if you were to have a really classy meal. In general I would be looking at probably around 35 - 50 euros per person in an average good restaurant. I don't really know Rome or Florence very well but I think the price ranges there are even greater. The other thing is that you are not expected to tip, although if you do it is appreciated and the amount you leave is entirely up to you. More often than not people just round the figure up (if the restaurant doesn't round it down!) so if your bill comes to 76.50 you would probably leave 80 euros.......but again this does vary from region to region. Sorry, I've probalby just confused you.
Piemonte
Piemonte is the biggest mainland region in Italy and there are very different types of cuisine depending on where you go. Do you know which places you will be visiting?
