Reader Mail; UPDATE

Will we ever see the sun again? All this gloomy weather reminds me of the Ray Bradbury short story: "All Summer in a Day."

Anyone read it?

I'm having a mini freak-out - I'm serving 12 people dinner tonight at my house and still have a lot of cooking to do (and I'm here at work.) Good thing I bought a selection of cheeses from Janssen's Market - thanks for helping me, Mrs. Janssen - and a white chocolate mousse cake from Liz Marden's Gourmet Cakes.

I have finally, finally, finally, realized that I don't have to cook or make every single thing I serve. Anyway, these are my book club buddies who are very forgiving - and probably won't mind it I don't vacuum the entire house as long as I serve good wine - and the main focus will be on our book. I highly recommend "The Tender Bar" by J.R. Moehringer. It's about how a Long Island bar shapes a man's life - but it's about so much more.

IN OTHER NEWS:


- Friday's Taste column is all about casual eats - I stop into Qdoba Mexican Grill in downtown Wilmington and the Villa di Roma in Philadelphia's Italian Market. We also recap the posts from Food DOGs Peter Bothum and Jeff Gentry about the Soprano sandwich and Wawa flatbreads. I'll have a link as soon as the column is posted. UPDATE: Here's the link.

- According to its Facebook page, Capriotti's is coming to Los Angeles. Eighty stores are planned over the next 10 years, starting this year. Holy Bobbie, Batman!

- Remember, every Friday is Reader Mail. (Well, it's early today.) Got a dining question you want answered? Ask and ye shall receive. Email me at ptalorico@delawareonline.com.

Onto the mailbag:

UNION CITY GRILLE DESERVES A CLOSER LOOK

QUESTION: Dear Ms. Talorico,

I read your "Encore! Encore!" article this morning and wish you had devoted more of it to what Matthew Curtis is doing at Union City Grille, especially since, unlike the upcoming BBC Tavern, it is actually in operation.

As you know, Union City Grille has undergone several iterations since opening in terms of price point and focus of the menu (ownership aside), and it has always been okay, sometimes really good, sometimes just stable. I was there this past Sunday for the first time since Curtis took it over last September and, although it's hard to make a declaration based on one experience, what he is doing is really high quality. I asked him what he's trying to do with the restaurant, and he said he wants great ingredients, simply prepared -- "food the way it ought to be" were his words.

Our dinners were excellent; I had pan-roasted scallops with almond basmati rice and a red curry sauce, and it was pretty much perfect -- just delicious. My husband had the Sunday night special Italian three-course prix fixe menu -- he chose for his first course a winter Caparese salad (w/ roasted tomatoes) and as his entree a veal spezzato over fettucine that was just delicious. And I am pretty tough critic when it comes to food.

Curtis also is partnering with Moore [Brothers] on the wine list. While we really only studied the by-the-glass list, one thing we really appreciated is the selection of French and Italian wines, since there are some of us who still prefer the food friendliness and more moderate alcohol levels of those wines. (Of course, one would expect that from a partnership with Moore [Brothers], but still ...)

Since there was no mention in today's article of The News Journal having reviewed the restaurant since Curtis took it over, I thought I write and suggest that you do.

I believe Curtis has a good thing going.

Best regards,
Diane Shomper



ANSWER: Thanks for the email Diane. I can't share when a News Journal critic will stop in a restaurant for a review, but I can say that Union City Grille in on the radar.

MEZZA LUNA OR VILLA DI ROMA?

QUESTION: Pat - I'm craving good Italian. I've been to Villa Di Roma [in Philadelphia] many times but have been considering going to Mezza Luna on Eighth Street in Philly. Correct me if I'm wrong, since I've never been to Mezza Luna, but my understanding is that they are both "spaghetti with red gravy" type places. Which one, in your opinion, is better?

ANSWER: Both are Italian - but very different Italian restaurants. Villa di Roma is more red gravy than Mezza Luna, which is Roman style, and a little more pricey. I do like Mezza Luna and have been there several times. Here's what I had to say a while back: http://www.delawareonline.com/blogs/secondhelpings/2007/08/king-tut-and-egyptian-cuisine.html

I also think you can bring your wine there. But call to check. 215-627-4705.

I like Villa di Roma (my NY friends LOVE it) and had a great time, but, if truth be told, I'd pick Mezza Luna over Villa.

CAN YOU CATCH SWINE FLU FROM FOOD?

QUESTION: Patricia, Can the swine flu be passed on through food prep? And should we be concerned with fruits and veggies or any other food coming from Mexico?

Thank you
Chuck

ANSWER: According to the Centers for Disease Control: No.

H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. But here's a link to the CDC site that should answer all questions.

KOOMA COMING SOON

QUESTION: Hello. Anybody know any updates about Kooma in Delaware. Is it open soon?
Thanks!

Cindy

ANSWER: Advertisements say it's coming soon. Here's some info from The News Journal archives ....BUT I don't have an opening date yet. I'll post it as soon as I do.

Restaurant owners Scott Kim and John Jang have a 10-year lease to take 5,200 square feet in the Justison Landing project being developed by Buccini/Pollin Group Inc. of Wilmington.

Kooma will be located in the heart of a 10-building complex in the Town Center, according to Kevin H. Grubb, residential development manager with Buccini/Pollin.

It will be housed in a building,, closest to the former Kahunaville nightclub, Grubb said.

The restaurant will have sushi and martini bars, as well as private rooms. There's a Kooma in West Chester. It's located on West Gay Street and was given the best new restaurant award for 2004 by Main Line Today magazine, according to the West Chester Business Improvement District.

There is a third Kooma in Columbus, Ohio.