A Restaurant Crawl in Newburyport: Cormorant, Park Lunch & Bar-25.

Last Wednesday, I visited my good friend, Adam, in Newburyport, where he docks his fishing boat, the Wharf Rat. Although we didn't go out fishing, we engaged in a short restaurant crawl, with Adam showing me some of the local highlights, including The Cormorant, Park Lunch, and Bar 25. It was a fun and tasty evening, including both food and cocktails, and enticed me to return soon to explore more of the culinary options in Newburyport. 

Our first stop was The Cormorant, a small burger restaurant, reminding me almost of a diner. We began with a winner, and which I give a hearty recommendation. 

The restaurant has a counter, with stools, on the left side, and several tables on the right side. It gives the diner vibe, and we chose to sit at the counter. Adam mentioned that as this restaurant is very popular, you might have to wait in line during the busier times. Fortunately, we had no trouble finding space on a Wednesday evening. 
  

The restaurant is open for Lunch and Dinner, Wednesday to Saturday, and Brunch on Sundays. The Lunch/Dinner menu has Starters (4 options for $17-$18), such as Street Corn, Gauc & Chips; Salads (3 options for $16-$21), such as Salmon Kimchi Salad; Sandwiches (7 options for $17-$20, with fries or salad), including Pork Cutlet Parmesan and Italian Tuna; and Burgers (6 options for $17-$20, with fries or salad, and there's an option to design your own burger). Each day, there's also a number of Specials, such as those in the photo above. If you check their Facebook page, you can see photos of their daily Specials. 

They also serve Wine, Beer and Cocktails. They have a list of seven Housemade Cocktails ($10-$12), and are able to make plenty of other cocktails if you ask. I was intrigued by the Bourbon Cream Soda ($10), made from Bourbon, Cream Soda, and Bitters, over ice. You can also make it a Float for an additional $2. It turned out to be delicious, and wasn't overly sweet. It was refreshing, a great choice for a summery day, and now I want to make them at home. A simple idea but one that worked very well. 

I opted to create my own Burger, with 2 Patties, Cheddar, Swiss, Bacon, and BBQ sauce. The Brioche type bun was butter grilled, and was soft and flavorful, while the burger itself was excellent! The large, smashed patties possessed a nice meaty, grilled taste, enhanced by the toppings, which added a touch of smoke and salt, as well as a mild sweetness. A top notch burger! The French Fries were also delectable, with a great salty crispness to them. I certainly cleaned my plate, immensely pleased with my burger and fries. Overall, the Cormorant now enters my list of my Favorite Burger spots. 

After our burgers, we traveled a short distance to Park Lunch, an old-school sports bar, which has been around since 1957. One of their decorative highlights are all of the university and college flags on their walls, and it's said that wherever you went to school, you'll be able to find its flag. Coincidentally, when I looked up from the booth where we sat, I saw the flag for my own university, Suffolk, on the wall above us. 

Park Lunch has an extensive menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, steak, chicken, pasta and more. They are especially well known for their Fried Clams, and that's the reason we stopped there. The restaurant was fairly busy that evening, and it seemed many of them were regulars.

I began with a cup of their Clam Chowder ($5.95), and it was quite tasty. It was on the thinner side, not the overly thick chowders you find elsewhere, and contained plenty of clams and pieces of potato. It had a fine taste, and was something I'd order again. 

We ordered a Small Order of Fried Clams (Market Price, in the $40s), and received quite an ample mound of clams, more than sufficient for two people to share. The clams were generally plump and flavorful, although the coating had a touch of a gritty texture. It definitely wasn't a sandy grit, but it seemed to be an element of the breaded coating. Overall, they were tasty, but they didn't top my favorites from the Clam Box.  

We ended the evening at Bar-25, which has a Middle-Eastern inspired menu and a Prohibition-inspired bar. It has an elegant vibe, an excellent bar, and would be great for an intimate date or just a night with friends. It was relatively quiet that evening, but I can easily see how it would get crowded on the weekends.

They have plenty of offerings of Wine, Beer, Spirits, Cocktails and Mocktails. The Cocktail list (13 options for $13-$16) was inventive and intriguing. I opted for the BLT, made from sun-dried tomato infused Mezcal, bacon washed Ancho Reyes Poblano, Triple Sec, Lime, and Organic Agave. This was a superb cocktail, subtle and complex, well-balanced and absolutely delicious. This will likely end up as one of my favorite cocktails of the year. Highly recommended!  

The Food Menu is primarily divided into Mezze (small plates) and Entrees. The Mezze have about 19 options ($8-$22) and Entrees have about 8 options ($22-$38). Some of the dishes include: Braised Lentil & Naan, Persian Empanada, Fried Chicken Shawarma, Lamb Kebab, and the B25 Burger. There were plenty of options which appealed to me, but at this point, we chose to select just a single Mezze. 

We opted for the Haloum ($14), breaded Halloumi cheese, pecorino romano, and spicy shakshuka. Halloumi originated in Cyprus, and has a texture that reminds me of cheese curds. It's also a great choice for frying, as its melting point is high. Their Haloum had a nice crispy coating over the firm and tasty halloumi, enhanced by the mildly spicy sauce. 

This was a pleasant introduction to their cuisine, but this is definitely a restaurant to which I want to return, because there is no much more on the menu that I want to experience. Plus, I want to try more of their cocktails. 

What are your favorite restaurants in Newburyport?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.. **********************************************************
1) For the sixth year in a row, 51 Lincoln ushers in the final month of summer with Raw August, a celebration of all things fresh, flavorful, and in their natural form. Every day, Chef Jeff Fournier will feature a different raw special, showcasing his talent for creating unique and delicious dishes using the highest quality ingredients. From ceviches, to crudos, to tartares, and more, Fournier’s culinary innovation is unparalleled. Past dishes have included:

--scallop crudo with rooftop chili & corn relish, smoked salt, lime sauce
--white miso salmon tartare with handmade fennel potato chips, scallion
--chilled peanut noodle salad with torched yellowfin tuna, wasabi dusted rice puffs
--oysters three ways ft. yellow pepper & peach mignonette, watermelon & rooftop jalapeno shooter, sun gold tomato & blueberry salsa
--pepper crusted beef carpaccio with allandale cherry tomatoes, balsamic reduction, truffle oil
--tuna sashimi with pickled ginger, house-made kimchi, carrot sesame salad
--herbed cheese napoleon, pickled rooftop vegetables, fresh fruit compote
--beet carpaccio with red wine reduction, shallot, za’atar, ricotta salada
--black bean & rooftop pepper chili with lime crème fraiche

For reservations, please call (617) 965-3100.

2) Beginning on August 3, enjoy the new Monday Market Menu at Davio’s Lynnfield every Monday evening during the month of August. In addition to their regular menu, the new three-course prix fixe menu will feature new items prepared by Executive Chef Danny Levesque, will utilize ingredients grown and available at the new Rooftop Farm at Whole Foods Market at Market Street in Lynnfield. This menu will change weekly based on the harvest.

The rooftop farm is 17,000 square feet and was designed as ell as installed by Recover Green Roofs, a Somerville based company specializing in vegetated green roofs, living walls and rooftop farms. After Recover completed the design and construction of the rooftop farm, Green City Growers, also based in Somerville, assumed the responsibilities of harvesting and maintaining the crops. The estimated 10,000 pounds of fruits, vegetables and herbs are for sale in the market and used in their prepared foods department. It is the largest rooftop farm in New England and the first supermarket farm in the country.

Sample Menu
Appetizer
Goat Cheese Ravioli, Mint, Basil, Dates
Side dish
Gratin of Braised Kale, Collard Greens, Pancetta
Entree
Herb Encrusted Local Cod, Spring Carrots, Exotic Mushrooms
Dessert Cart

For Reservations, please call 781-944-4810.

3) Chef Carolyn Johnson of 80 Thoreau in Concord recently offered a special Striper Menu and I was impressed. She has a new special offering, a Corn & Tomato Tasting Menu, which uses local, fresh produce. Chef Johnson says "We are all about supporting our neighborhood farms, and farms like Brigham and Verrill really do grow the best corn and tomatoes you'll ever taste. August is the best time to be a chef in New England--the farm product is just extraordinary."

The special menu will be available from August 4-15, and costs $45 person. And it sounds like it will be a delicious four-course dinner.

First Course
Griddle Cheese (Cherry tomatoes, pickled corn, basil)
Second Course
Corn Soup (Charred omato, crab, fennel)
Third Course 
Grrilled Pork Chop (Broiled tomato, spicy corn fritters)
Fourth Course
Corn custard (plum, tomato, molasses)

For Reservations, please call 978-318-0008

4) Newburyport is hosting the inaugural Savor Newburyport event brought to you by the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and their members, highlighting the cuisine, craft beer and cocktails, shopping and cultural experiences the maritime city has to offer. From September 17th through the 26th, Newburyport will host unique events and innovative dining and retail collaborations.

The celebration will kick off on Thursday, September 17, at the Opening Savory Gala on Newburyport’s picturesque waterfront from 6-9pm. Guests will have the opportunity to sample award-winning food and drinks from over 30 local restaurants and chefs throughout Greater Newburyport.

Throughout the 10-day celebration, tickets will be available to numerous special events hosted by local restaurants in and around Newburyport. In addition from Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 20th, the Savory Retail Showcase events will take place with numerous retail shops offering special incentives, features and promotions. Simultaneously, the 10th annual Newburyport Documentary Film Festival will be held at the Firehouse Center for the Arts and the Screening Room, sharing the year’s most thoughtful filmmaking.

Visit http://www.savornewburyport.com for event and ticket information.

5) Now that August is here, start off the month with some new food and fun experiences. Formaggio Kitchen provides a variety of fun-filled foodie classes that will please your palate this month.

From oyster and wine pairings to creating the perfect summer clam bake, Formaggio Kitchen offers an experience to please everyone! Oysters and Old World Wines hosted on August 11th provides guests with five different ways to prepare this amazing bivalve accompanied by expertly paired old world wines. The Summer Clam Bake class on August 17th dives into this favorite New England pastime with James Beard nominated chef Matt Jennings of Townsman where guests can enjoy a classic clam bake that is expertly paired with beer, cider, and wine. On the other end of the food spectrum, Formaggio Kitchen's Pickling and Preserving 101 class on August 19th will show you how to save the fantastic flavors of summer produce with our in-house pickling enthusiast, Julie. Wash it all down with expert cheese and ciders pairings at our Cheese + Cider with Bantam Cider Company class on August 27th.

Check out the Formaggio Kitchen website for more details.

6) Legal Sea Foods is holding their 7th annual Oyster Festival from September 17 through October 14, Legal Sea Foods venues in Massachusetts will feature a series of in-restaurant specials including Fried Oysters (three for $10) in four preparations: Buffalo Oyster (blue cheese, celery hearts, radish), BBQ Oyster (cole slaw, BBQ mayo), Sriracha Oyster (tasso, roasted corn, pickled green tomato) and Fried Oyster & Eggs (sauce gribiche, arugula, red onion). For Baked Oysters (three for $12), options include the Lobster Spinach Oyster (cheese, herbed crumbs), Oyster Scampi (shrimp garlic butter, white wine), Crab & Cheese Oyster (Jonah crab, horseradish, cheddar, cream cheese) and the Roasted Oyster (smoked chorizo butter, fresh herbs). There also is a Raw Oyster & Tuna Crudo (sambal, sesame dressing - $4.50), Raw Oyster (apple mignonette - $3).

The official drink of this year’s Oyster Festival is the refreshing Deadrise (American Harvest Organic vodka, muddled cucumber, lime, grapefruit bitters - $10) designed to complement the oysters’ flavor profiles.

Special events will be held at various Legal Sea Foods locations and will include:
Shellfish Shindig, a ‘shuckout’ of $1 oysters at Charles Square’s outdoor Terrace Bar (September 20 from 2-4pm; a la carte pricing; 20 University Road, Cambridge);
Sip, Slurp and Sup, a trio of small plates paired with oyster-friendly wines hosted in the Park Square location’s 10,000 bottle wine cellar (September 29 at 6:30pm; $40 per person; 26 Park Plaza, Boston);
Mollusk Mania, a 21+ “everything oysters” party featuring a raw bar of eight varieties, four passed appetizers and a “"How to Shuck an Oyster" station on the all-weather rooftop at Legal Harborside (October 4 from 1-3pm; starting at $55 per person; 270 Northern Avenue, Boston);
Oysteria, Mamma Mia, a wine dinner for half-shell hedonists and novices alike at Legal Oysteria (October 7 at 6:30pm; $75 per person; 10 City Square, Charlestown).

Friday Sips & Nibbles

I am back with a special Friday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. For this edition, I offer several suggestions for New Year's Eve and the Feast of the Seven Fishes.
**********************************************************
1)  Enzo Restaurant & Bar, in Newburyport, is celebrating The Feast of the Seven Fishes, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner throughout Italy.  The Feast is available on Friday, December 23rd and Saturday, December 24th by reservation only. This menu is $50 per person with a minimum of two people per Feast. As their menu utilizes only sustainably sourced fish and shellfish, some dishes may change slightly between now and the 23rd and 24th due to availability. Their full menu will also be available for those diners who are not fish fans.

Antipasti
Fritto misto / Fried calamari and vegetables
Insalata di baccala alla casalinga / House-cured salt cod salad
Pate di pesce affumicato / House-smoked bluefish paté
Insalata di casa / Mixed greens salad
Pasta e pesci
Branzino arrosto / Roasted striped bass
Cozze e vongole alla griglia / Broiled clams and mussels
Lasagna della Viglia / Lasagna with anchovy, a traditional Piemontese Christmas Eve pasta
Sarde in saor / Sweet and sour mullet, a traditional Venetian dish
Polenta
Verdure / Assortment of seasonal vegetables
Dolci
Biscotti / An assortment of holiday cookies
Gelati / House made gelato

Call them at 978-462-1801 to reserve your table.

2)  Enzo Restaurant & Bar is also celebrating New Year's Eve by offering a four-course menu designed especially for this evening. Dinner will be served from 5pm-10pm. The cost is $65 per person and wine pairings will also be available. As they use only humanely-raised meat and 100% sustainably-sourced seafood in their menus, some dishes may change slightly between now and the 31st.

This special evening is available by reservation only, therefore they request a credit card number to hold all reservations. Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a $50 per person fee.

Diners can select from one of four offerings for each course.

First course
Selection of salumi (some house-made, some not), gnoccho fritto and pickled veg
Oysters on the half shell, mignonette
Butternut squash bisque with seared gnocchi
House-made salt cod fritters, balsamic vinegar aioli
Second course
Duck conserva raviolo with egg yolk, duck sugo, crisp leeks
House-smoked duck breast, brussels sprouts slaw, quince mostardo
Parsnip sformato winter spinach salad
Winter greens salad with citrus and pomegranate
Third course
Braised cotechino with lentils and crispy pork belly, pickled red cabbage
Beef filet and butter-poached lobster, potato purée, butter-braised spinach
Crespelle with roasted mushrooms, ricotta mousse, roasted tomato sugo
Pan-roasted striped bass, citrus butter, braised fennel crispy fingerlings
Dessert
Crema fritta, chocolate sauce, gianduja gelato
Chocolate torte, glazed chestnut ice cream
Lambrusco-baked pears, almond gelato, pistachio brittle
Bruléed honey-lemon tart, mascarpone-zabaglione mousse

Call them at 978-462-1801 to reserve your table.

3)  Ring in the New Year with 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar in Salem. Chef/Owner Antonio Bettencourt is preparing a special four-course prix fixe menu for $70 per person ($90 with optional wine pairing) featuring his modern take on regional Italian dishes. Diners’ can also elect to dine à la carte and order from the regular dinner menu. This event takes place on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 from 5pm-11:30pm. Reservations are necessary so please call 978-744-0062.

Antipasti
Burrata (Just-warmed burrata over grilled ciabatta with pickled golden raisins & pinenuts)
Pork Belly (Confit pork belly over polenta with bosc pear mostarda)
Primi
Garganelli (Hand rolled garganelli with red wine braised duck, dried cherries, pinenuts & Tuscan kale)
Ravioli (Swiss chard and ricotta ravioli, braised artichokes, basil & preserved lemon vinaigrette)
Secondi
Zuppa di Pesce (Lobster, mussels, scallops and halibut in a spicy tomato and saffron brodetto)
Duo of Veal (Slow roasted veal sirloin and braised short rib, hen of the woods mushrooms & roasted cipolla)
Dolce
Torta al Caprino (Mascarpone and goat’s cheese tort with red wine spiced dried plums)
Warm Toffee Pudding (With toffee sauce and whipped cream)

4)  This Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, from 5pm-9pm, Owner & Executive Chef Anthony Caturano will “The Feast of the Seven Fishes” at Prezza in Boston’s North End. This traditional Italian feast will be presented over five courses and features the following dishes:

First Course
Crispy Shrimp (With Italian slaw and cherry pepper aioli)
Second Course
Wood Grilled Squid & Octopus (With white beans)
Third Course
Tagliatelle (With scallops, shrimp, garlic and olive oil)
Fourth Course
Wood Grilled Swordfish (With saffron rice, beans and mussels)
Fifth Course
Bread Pudding

The Cost is $60 per person and you should call 617-227-1577 to make reservations.

5) Ring in the New Year at The Melting Pot in Bedford with a 5-course dining experience created just for the occasion. The Cost is $75 per Person (+ tax & 20% gratuity) or $65 per Person for reservations seated before 6:00pm (+ tax & 20% gratuity) and both include a Champagne toast with dessert (1 glass per person). Call (781) 791-0529 to make Reservations.

First Course
Champagne Swiss or Baked Potato Cheddar Fondue
Second Course
Colossal Shrimp Cocktail or Lemon Sorbet
Third Course
House or Caesar Salad
Fourth Course
Lobster Tail or Choice Angus Sirloin, accompanied by Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken, Memphis BBQ Pork Tenderloin & Wild Mushroom Sacchetti.
Cooking Styles: Court Bouillon, Bourguignonne, Mojo or Coq au Vin.
Fifth Course
(Accompanied by a Champagne Toast)
Bananas Foster or Snickerdoodle Chocolate Fondue

Vegetarian and Children's Options also available.

6)  Legal Harborside will celebrate its first New Year’s Eve under the stars at Liberty Wharf this year. Hosted atop the roof at Legal Harborside in a glass-enclosed space, you can bid adieu to 2011 and welcome 2012. In addition to being supplied with festive noisemakers and hats, individual tickets to this sky-high soiree include the features as listed below. Legal Harborside will also offer table reservations to this year-end celebration (which includes the all of the following plus a bottle of bubbly – Adriano Adami “Dei Casel” Prosecco – and an appetizer platter):

Raw Bar, from 9pm – 11pm
Shrimp cocktail, four varieties of oysters, clams
Passed Hors D’oeuvres, from 10pm – 12am
Legal’s signature favorites
Midnight Toast with Bubbly at 12am
Adriano Adami “Dei Casel” Prosecco
Sweet Ending Dessert Bar from 12am – 1am
Chocolate dipped strawberries, towers of assorted cupcakes

COST: Individual tickets are available in advance for $80 per person by visiting www.legalseafoods.com. Individual tickets are available at the door for $100 per person on a limited basis. Table reservations are available in advance for $400 (for four people). Up to two additional guests may join the table for $60 per person. Access to this event will only be granted to guests with a ticket receipt and a 21+ ID.

7)  The Beehive, in Boston's South end, will be open on Christmas Eve for dinner and live music. The night will feature live music from Jazzy Soul with the Marty Rowen Band from 8pm-12am, with dinner served from 5pm-11pm.

For more information or reservations visit www.beehiveboston.com or call (617) 423-0069.

Stoneham Sun: Newburyport Farmers' Market

My new column of "A Passionate Foodie" can be found in the May 26 issue of the Stoneham Sun newspaper. This is a weekly column that concentrates on reviews of local restaurants though it also sometimes touches on other food and wine topics.

The new column has been published today and will be available online soon. The new article is a review of the Newburyport Farmers' Market, which has been open for several weeks. There are over 20 different vendors, selling a wide variety of products including fruits, vegetables, meats, honey, tea, baked goods, jewelry and much more.

If you have any questions or comments about my column, feel free to add them here.

Dine with passion.

Newburyport Farmers' Market Now Open

Soon, farmers' markets all over New England will open and you'll be able to find fresh, local produce and artisan foods. This past Sunday, a warm and sunny day, I took a short drive up to the Newburyport Farmers' Market, one of the first markets to open this season. It was their opening weekend, and they will now be open every Sunday through the summer from 9am-1pm. The market is located in the parking lot of the Tannery Marketplace.

The market was fairly busy, the pleasant weather enticing many to visit. I liked that there were numerous tables, at one end of the market, where you could sit and enjoy some of the foods available in the market. So this is more than just a place to buy your items and leave. Instead, you can buy a sandwich or some pastry, and savor them while still at the market.

There was a good selection of vendors, easily 25 or more, though I'll note that there was not much fresh produce yet available due to the season. But I am sure that will change soon enough. It is an impressive market, and I recommend you check it out.

Here are some of the vendors you'll find here:

Arrowhead Farm had plenty of plants available for sale and they also run a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. In short, you can buy a share of the CSA and get a regular delivery of fresh, local vegetables and fruits.

Valicenti Organico, of Hollis, New Hampshire, sells hand-made pasta and pasta sauces using locally grown ingredients. This includes seven varieties of ravioli, which you can see listed above. I got to sample some pasta with the Valicenti Organico Red Gravy and it was quite tasty, and I bought some of their spaghetti which looked quite interesting. I do think I'll return to check out some of their ravioli as well.

You'll find plenty of different types of organic honey here as well, which can make for a good substitute for sugar in many recipes.

Cape Ann Pies has a good selection of fruit pies, available whole or by the slice. These handmade pies use only all-natural ingredients, and never any preservatives or artificial flavors/ingredients.

Heron Pond Farm sells organic vegetables and they run a CSA too. They had numerous potatoes available at the market, from blue potatoes to fingerlings. They also had some greens and a few other items.

I am a tea rather than coffee drinker so was eager to check out White Heron Tea. They sell organic, fair trade teas, and had quite a good selection of flavors. I tried a glass of their iced tea, which was refreshing and delicious. They had a few different types of iced tea available, a couple fruit flavored, though I went for the basic version. You can also buy loose tea to take home and make on your own.

The Crazy Camel, of Somersworth, New Hampshire, was selling his line of Dessert Hummus, which comes in six different flavors from chocolate mousse to caramel apple. Certainly an intriguing item which should perk your interest.

Rivers Lea Farm, in Epping, New Hampshire, sells hormone and antibiotic free lamb, mutton and goat meat, as well as prepared meals. You'll find ground lamb, sausages, chops, kabobs, rib racks and more. You might also be interested in their Shepherd's Pie, Mulligatawny Stew or Chili. I picked up a pound of the ground lamb.

Kellie Brook Farm, of Greenland, New Hampshire, also sells meats, though they have a wider selection, including beef, pork, and veal. They also sell their farm eggs. At the market, they make breakfast and lunch sandwiches. I tried their egg sandwhich, on a croissant, with cheese and chorizo. It was a good sandwich, the chorizo being excellent, with a nice blend of spices. After eating the sandwich, I had to buy some of the chorizo to take home.

Mary of The Savory Kitchen is an excellent cook and if you stop by the market then you must stop by her table to sample her baked goods. Mary is a friend of mine, but my recommendation is unbiased. Just taste her products and I am positive you will agree. These are the items you could find in any professional bakery, and they are scrumptious.

Muffins, scones, sticky buns, candies and more. Everything is fresh, moist and flavorful. Try a Bacon Cheddar Scone or a Banana Walnut Muffin. She sells breads as well, including bruschetta and a long, white bread called Stucco (sp?). It was addictive and I ate so much of the loaf at the market I had to buy another to take home.

Her Strawberry Cupcakes were perfect, the right amount of moist cake with a whipped cream-like frosting that burst with strawberry flavor. You can also get cookies, caramel corn and brownies. I should note that Mary also runs a personal chef service.

The Newburyport Farmers' Market had a great opening, and I expect it will only get better as more and more local produce becomes available. They have a diverse selection of vendors, and you can even sit down and relax there, enjoying some of the delicious foods available. I recommend you take a drive there some Sunday. Support our local farmers, cooks and artisans.

Addendum (5/6/10): The other night, for dinner I had the Valicenti Organico Spaghetti with some of the Kellie Brook Farm chorizo in the sauce. The spaghetti is a bit thicker than usual, with a ringed texture that seems to hold onto the sauce better. It was quite tasty, and more flavorful than boxed pastas. And I am sure it is healthier for you as well. The chorizo was also quite delicious, tender and well spiced. It was actually one of the best chorizos I have tasted in some time. An excellent meal, which I paired with a Sean Thackrey Pleaides (one of my favorite wines).