Up until the 80's we never went out to eat at Italian restaurants. Hubby would go off with his work mates now and then and fill up on pastas and specialties he liked, would drag me to the same and ask me how I liked the food. "I can do better!" I thought, and meant it. Up until the 80's restaurant fare was adequate, but not very good.
Then, Wolfgang Puck started his cafes in upscale neighborhoods. Well, the quality of the dishes and the surprising presentations sold me. I began to appreciate food prepared by great chefs. Wolfgang Puck's minestrone tasted even better than my mother's, back in Italy!
I learned to cook from my mother. By the time I left Italy, I could prepare everything she prepared, except home-made pasta.
If you want to learn to make home-made pasta, visit Eleonora's blog,
http://agliooliopeperoncino.blogspot.com/
Tell her Rosaria sent you.
Visit your best restaurants and appreciate the talents of your chefs. I know that since Redfish Restaurant opened here in Port Orford, I've been grateful that french cuisine and northwest products can come together and satisfy us beautifully.
