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Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. One of the most unforeseen and fascinating aspects of life is how— if one lives long enough— the things that seemed so trivial or laborious in our youth wind up becoming applicable and practical in everyday life. Even though I showed a little bit of promise earlyContinue reading “Lessons Learned”

There are hundreds of reasons why love the restaurant business. Seriously, if asked I believe I could sit down and list hundreds of reasons in a matter of minutes. Towards the top of that list would be guest interaction. The rapport that occurs between restaurant people— whether they work in the front-of-the-house or the back—Continue reading “It’s the People”

Let’s make 2019 the year of the independent. For the past three years, I have worn a homemade pin on my shirt, jacket, or suit coat that simply states, “Eat Local.” It’s an everyday thing. Whether I am in town or traveling, I want there to be no doubt where I stand on the “local”Continue reading “The Year of the Independent”

Each of the 20 years I have written this weekly column, I have always finished the year by listing the 10 most memorable meals that I enjoyed throughout the year. It’s one of my favorite things to do because it forces me to look back over the year and re-live some of the moments thatContinue reading “RSJ’s Top 10 of 2018”

Pork Tenderloin with Muscadine Glaze 2 Tbl Olive Oil 1 Tbl Unsalted Butter 3 Pork Tenderloins (about 1 1/2 pounds) 2 tsp Kosher Salt 1 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground 2 Tbl Shallot, minced 1/2 tsp Garlic, minced 1/4 tsp Salt 1/4 cup Brown Sugar 1/2 cup Riesling Wine, or Muscadine wine if you canContinue reading “RSJ’s Christmas Eve Dinner”

Life is full of reunions. There is something deep inside of me that is hard-wired for any type of reunion— family, school, old friends— I don’t need an excuse, just a date and time of where to show up. I was built for reunions. My dictionary gives three definitions of reunion: “1.) an instance ofContinue reading “Reunions”

MILAN, ITALY— “We don’t have your rooms, Mr. St. John.” Those are the words a tour leader never wants to hear. The words weren’t, “We don’t have your rooms ready, Mr. St. John, because housekeeping is running a little behind.” Or “We don’t have your rooms ready, Mr. St. John because the laundry is down,Continue reading “The Cold Shower Happy Hour”

VILLA IL SANTO, TUSCANY— December is the “slow period” over here. The grapes have all been picked. The olives have almost all been pressed. It’s cold and most Americans who would be traveling over here are gearing up for holiday schedules back home. Despite all of that, it’s one of my favorite times to beContinue reading “5232 Miles”

BARBARINO VAL D’ELSA, TUSCANY— I sit and write this column at 10:15 p.m. in a one-thousand-year-old converted barn while 14 weary Americans have just retired for the evening after a very long and full day of eating our way through the Tuscan countryside. It is quiet in Villa il Santo, but there is still anContinue reading “Tuscany 2018”