It is a sunny, crisp autumn day and an opportune time to enjoy a Bicerin. Just as each region of Italy has its own cuisine, many have their own speciality coffee drinks. Enter the Bicerin, a coffee potion created during the 18th century in the city of Turin in Piedmont. For a coffee-chocolate addict like me, this scrumptious brew is sinfully satisfying. Dense hot chocolate, smooth espresso and steamed milk are skillfully layered in a glass by talented baristas. At Stratta, milk is substituted with luscious whipped cream topped with a giandiuotto; the result is pure decadent bliss.
If you visit Turin be sure to enjoy a Bicerin at:
Guido Gobino, Via Lagrange, 1; Tel. +39 011 5660707 Stratta, Piazza San Carlo, 191; Tel. +39 011 547920 Caffè al Bicerin, Piazza della Consolata, 5; Tel +39 011 4369325
Last Thursday, I attended the opening party of an art exhibit by an Italian-Australian artist, Elena Di Cesare (aka Archibaldi) at 
Her basic concept, influenced by the writings of Sufi master, 
Many friends and fans attended the event. The most discussed pieces of the night were “Guerriero” and “Giovane Guerriero”. My personal favorites are “Guerriero” and “The Empress”. In “The Empress”, her head is tilted subtly back and her gaze is directed toward the night sky. Her body is decorated with tattoos. She is fearless; she is beauty; she is enlightened.
A carb-lovers dream, the original kosher shop opened on 21st S 
If you’re not a fan of sandwiches, try the summer rolls and grilled pork chop over rice.
The heritage pork belly buns were a divine appetizer, moist and succulent. We ordered the lemon grass arctic char wrapped with cedar wood and slow-cooked grass fed short ribs as our main plates. The fish was perfectly cooked but was bland. The ribs were tough and chewy. They were served in a hot cast iron bowl full of nutty, satiating sticky, multi grain rice.
I had high hopes for this Lower East Side, Japanese fusion restaurant. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
