Category Archives: Uncategorized

Each year I compile a list of the top 10 dining experiences I enjoyed throughout the previous year. The list is never about the most expensive meal or the finest atmosphere. This end-of-the-year list covers the meals that were most memorable to me. 10.) Breakfast with Friends Before the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, my homeContinue reading “RSJ Top Ten 2019”

For the 20-plus years I’ve written this column I have not written about my faith very often. I feel that my faith is strong, but it’s a food-travel column for the most part, and it never seemed the proper forum. Nevertheless, this year my publish date is on Christmas. I don’t know if the newspapersContinue reading “Merry Christmas”

Last night we held our 32nd annual manager’s Christmas dinner. There were 30 people seated at the table for our once-a-year steak and ribs dinner. We’ve held the dinner at Donanelle’s for the past 15 years. It’s my favorite dive bar/steakhouse. It’s my management team’s favorite dive bar/steakhouse, too. We all agree that Donanelle’s isContinue reading “The First Christmas Bonus”

3:59a.m. Barberino Val d’Elsa, Tuscany— I am dead asleep in the small apartment below Villa il Santo. The pizza I had consumed hours earlier worked better than any over-the-counter melatonin to put me down. I was dead to the world and exhausted from leading a group of 24 Americans on a weeklong trek through Tuscany.Continue reading “An Atypical Tuscan Farewell (Or How Annagloria Saved the Day)”

BARBERRINO VAL D’ELSA, TUSCANY— My friend, collaborator, and business partner, Wyatt Waters, and I are working back in Italy this week leading a group of people through one of our favorite parts of the world. We’re turning all 25 of them on to the people, places, and things that we have discovered through the years.Continue reading “Home Away From Home”

Memories are the fuel that ignite and continually stoke this column. I have written in this space for over 20 years— approximately 1,000 words per week, 52 weeks a year— and have never missed a week, not one. I write mostly about food, but family and familial memories often enter the subject matter. Travel hasContinue reading “Memories and the Greatest Trick Ever Played on Kids”

Asparagus Casserole 1 Tbl Olive oil, light 2 Tbl Onion, minced 1 Tbl Shallot, minced 2 Tbl Celery, minced 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Garlic, granulated 1/8 tsp Thyme, dry 2 cups Mushrooms, cleaned, sliced 1 1/2 cups Chicken broth 1/4 cup Butter 1/3 cup Flour 1/2 cup Whipping cream 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1Continue reading “RSJ’s Thanksgiving Feast”

The primary and traditional American holidays are Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. I enjoy each of them for different reasons. There are two that typically bring my family together, Christmas and Thanksgiving. We’ll cover Christmas in a few weeks. Today, I’d like to focus on Thanksgiving. Holidays look differentContinue reading “Thanksgiving and The Five Fs”

“Donuts are the funnest food.” That’s what my friend, co-collaborator, and business partner Wyatt Waters says. He’s right you know. I had never thought about it, but when we were in the recipe testing and development phase of our donut shop, he made that statement. After he proclaimed donuts to be the funnest food, IContinue reading “The Personality of Food”