antonioevans

Susan Rike invited me and a few other food writers to sample the food at Fiorini. The restaurant has been around since 2006 and is the creation of Restaurateur-Chef Lello Arpaia. This is one of those classic NYC restaurants. The space is large for NYC standards, very clean and open. The service was impeccable. My favorite part (after the food) was chatting up with Mr. Arpaia who is incredibly sweet and down to earth. If the name looks familiar, it is because he Donatella Arpaia’s dad. Now; let’s talk about the food.

The USDA recently approved Monsanto’s genetically engineered Bt sweet corn which will be sold on the ear in the produce section of grocery stores. This is the agri-giant’s first GMO corn product made available directly to consumers.

Writing for Natural Society, Mike Barrett reminds readers children in America spend approximately 44.5 hours per week watching television and are exposed to up to 3,055 ads per year.

Consumer demand for more expensive brand-name food products has plummeted as cash-strapped consumers flock to cheaper off brand items in droves to save money.

Susan Rike invited me and a few other food writers to eat at Vai. It is the brainchild of Vincent Chirico (who is tall, dark and handsome) and the newest addition to New York City’s Upper West Side. The restaurant resides in the old home of Taberna on Amsterdam between 80th and 81st and boasts a modern Mediterranean menu.

The U.S. and European Union have announced a reciprocity of organic standards. Whatever is considered organic in the U.S. will now also be recognized as organic in Europe, and vice versa.

Recipe on the bottom. I had the honor of meeting Chef Claude Godard recently. Outside of being an incredibly nice person, he’s also a killer Chef. This Burgundian Chef was born into a family of chefs which included his grandfather, Gaston and his father, Jean-Claude.

Recipe Follows: National Margarita Day takes place on Wednesday, February 22. They’ve decided to celebrate with us with 1/2 priced pitchers of their signature Ginger Margarita ($24 instead of $48).