I hope everyone is having a great 2010 so far!  I recently got back from San Francisco for work and had the pleasure of dinning at a great Italian restaurant called Incanto.  What a treat!  Owner Mark Pastore and Chef Chris Cosentino have something really special going on the left coast… (for the record, they’re both originally from New England!) Their website describes Incanto’s food as, “…food that is based on the bedrock principles of Italian cooking: emphasis on the freshest and highest-quality local ingredients, respectful treatment of food, and presentation that is neither overwrought or fussy.” and when asked what part of Italy their cuisine represents: “…the food we serve at Incanto represents a part of Italy that is called ‘California’.”

I would describe the food as “Italian upscale rustic”… I know, it doesn’t make much sense but a glimpse of their sample menu (the menu changes daily) might help you agree with me.

• Crispy pork belly, cider braised chard, polenta & cipollini
• Duck liver ravioli & balsamic brown butter (they were delicious!)
• Peasant pappa, smoked lumache, pioppini & onion ash
• Pig’s ears & apples

How often do you see those dishes on a menu?!  It sounds like a list of foods my father ate when we were kids but we wouldn’t touch because of what it sounded like and not what it tasted like (your “someday” has arrived dad!)  What were we thinking!!?  Do not miss a chance to eat at Incanto if you go to San Francisco… I also want to applaud Edward Ruiz (Wine Director) for his wine selection.  The Amarone we had was excellent!

A Big Thank You

to Linda at Ciao Chow Linda for the wonderful gift of goodies she sent my way.  Grazie 1000 Linda!!

Not only do I enjoy reading about the amazing food and recipes Linda makes… now I get to try some (without all the work.)  Her fig jam is (as we New Englanders would say) wicked awesome (I had to send some to my mother since figs are her favorite.)  I can’t wait to try the morel mushrooms her brother found… the one mushroom that has managed to elude me.  She also sent some of her husband’s jarred/cured green tomatoes, her blood orange & cranberry jam and a bottle of olive oil.  If you head to Linda’s blog, you can find the recipes or posts on most of these items.  Thanks Linda!