Staten Island Advance Food News

Healthy eating, ethnic cooking & more

• Islander brings his Italian culinary heritage to Manhattan restaurant
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Albert Di Meglio, an Oakwood resident, brings his Italian culinary heritage, a welcoming Staten Island attitude and a fondness for upstate New York to his new Manhattan restaurant.

• No need to break the bank when buying wines for the holiday table
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Retailers, online merchants as well as the wine guy who lives next door all have suggestions when it comes to the right wine to serve on Turkey Day.

• Updating the holiday classics
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "This has been a hectic year and a time of high anxiety, and contrary to popular belief, people don't just turn to food for comfort, they turn to other people," says Harry Balzer who has spent many years analyzing the way Americans eat. "I expect a larger crowd around America's Thanksgiving tables this year."

• Choosing a food-friendly wine to accompany holiday meals
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Fruity, crisp, spicy, a wine with earthy flavors?

• Kosher sushi contest highlight of Kosherfest 2008
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The first ever kosher sushi contest and a wealth of healthful foods were highlighted at Kosherfest 2008. The event was staged this year for the first time at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J.

• Thanksgiving holiday help lines
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Help from experts at holiday cooking hot lines set up nationwide is just a call or click away. So, don't be afraid to ask for advice, even at the 11th hour.

• Two of Burgundy's other wine regions
When the word Burgundy comes up, we usually think of the famous vineyards of the Cote d'Or. When looking for sheer value however, the regions of Maconnais, and Chalonaise also must be considered.

• Dongan Hills chef developing new menu
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Making everything that's old new again -- both in her restaurant and cooking school -- is part of Carol Frazzetta's everyday chef's technique.

• Lehigh Valley Wine Trail weekend
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE -- The nine family-owned wineries of the Lehigh Valley Wine Trail will introduce this year's first vintages during this week's annual Nouveau Weekend. The event is set for Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 16 from noon to 5 p.m.

• Tips for purchasing wine
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE -- Below are several tips you may find helpful when shopping for wine at retail. But remember, the advice of your wine retailer is there for the asking, so when in doubt, just ask!

• Using salt as a flavor enhancer requires careful consideration
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE -- What substance is essential to human life, is in everybody's kitchen and made of two individually toxic substances?

• Annadale Diner celebrates anniversary
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When owner Steve Bakousis throws his annual anniversary party at the Annadale Diner, he goes all the way.

• A TASTE OF STATEN ISLAND
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's nice to have friends who fall into your style, your pattern of entertaining. That's especially true when you all agree on the type of dancing, classic foods and period costumes that will make the party really festive.

• Cocktail menu remembers the presidents
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., has long been the place to see and be seen -- especially in the Round Robin Bar area.

• Comfort foods are back again
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "I remember asking my father what it was like living through the Depression," said Marilynn Brass, who with her sister Sheila Brass authored both "Heirloom Baking" and the newly released "Heirloom Cooking With the Brass Sisters" cookbooks.

• U.S. celebrates 400 years of wine-making
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- An e-mail sent not so long ago disclosed the fact that the year just winding down -- 2008-- marks the 400th year of wine-making in the United States.