Alan Williamson's Page

Hi
only 2 hours left! polls close at 12:00PST
Here's an opportunity- won't take but a moment and it's fun...

- go here-
http://solofoods.com/page29642842.aspx

-and vote for #F06 Cherry Almond Truffles - vote only once and pass it on to all of your friends
Please...

I am a finalist in a big video recipe contest and I need your votes to win
deadline is Friday March 6 12:00amPST

Hi Alan,
Sorry I disappeared for a while. It's been crazy over here in wine country. Responding back to branding, I did give it some thought and while I like a lot of brands with the proprietor's name on them, they are a bit boring.

I do think Yellow Tail sticks out for Australia. I associate the fish with the Great Barrier Reef and think the label is both unique and effective.

Also, I want to mention that Lodi, California has made it's name in producing really good Zinfandel's. They have very clever names for a lot of the Zins. Earthquake Zin, (appropriate for Cal), Seven Deadly Zins and one that I particually enjoy is Earth, Zin and Fire. The back of the bottle is a concert ticket. Very cute and again very creative. I don't think any other brand has done this.

Google Lodi Zinfandel's, There are several more great brands. I don't know if this helps, but hopefully it will spark some thought.

How Exciting! The bubbles are coming-the bubbles are coming! The British bubbles are really coming. Corney, but that's what popped in my head. You may have this list, but these are the top California Sparkling wine producers: Frank Family, Schramsberg, Mumm, S. Anderson, Domaine Chandon, Domaine Carneros (Tattinger), Gloria Ferrer, Roederer, Scharffenberger and of course Korbel. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you on my end.

Hi Alan, I saw your comment regarding Napa. I am an owner of Wine Tours of the World. We send tons of people on wine vacations. Napa is in my backyard. I would be willing to tell all. It is more than just a wine destination. It has become a wine lover's, adult, Disney Land. There are unlimited activities and experiences to be found. Beautiful? Yes. Romantic? Definitely. Great Wine? Absolutely. Expensive? Yip! Crowed? Very! I have to say that 20 minutes over the Mayacamas Mountain range is Sonoma and its wine appellations. Just as beautiful, if not more in some locations. The hospitality staff in the wineries are laid back and very wine savvy. Your dollar goes a lot longer too. I have the low down for both areas. If you are interested in specifics, please let me know.

Hi Alan,

I writed a long comment to the question you submitted to me but the sistem didn't posted it (!!!!) and now I have no time to write it again. Sorry, I'll reply to you next days.

bye bye

Maria Luisa

Alan,

I am enjoying your participation and contribution to this site. thank you

thom

PS

Doney, Vivendo and Spirito divino are ok (but they offer very different tipology of cuisine).
I never saw Scoglio di Friscio in via Merulana (may be is a pizzeria) and I don't know Antica Pesa.
Antica Biblioteca is a place for great number, you know...

Regards,

Maria Luisa

Buongiorno Alan,

top 5 Rome restaurants (for most important Guide and for me) are:

La Pergola (Hotel Hilton) - 3 Michelin stars (I'll edit it on Roma gourmet next months)
Il Convivio Troiani (1 Michelin star)
L'altro Mastai (1 Michelin star)
Il Pagliaccio (1 Michelin star)
Agata e Romeo (1 Michelin star)
Baby by Iaccarino family (1 Michelin star and on Roma gourmet in April)
and for seafish La Rosetta (near Pantheon)

They do a very creative and natural cuisine interpreting tradition and using high quality ingredients.
You can find dish photo of many of them looking for the restaurant index here:
http://www.roma-gourmet.com/loc_rist.html

About other restaurants you ask me about, some of them are fashion place only (like Glass Hostaria: very cool restaurant for glass and wood design but without a very interesting cuisine) and some other are normal palces where you have good dinner but not great emotions (at restaurant I want emotion!)

Have a great day, ciao.

Maria Luisa

Ciao! Thank you for your welcome.

I was born in Piemonte and I live between North Italy and Rome but I feel Rome as my town, it's so beautiful!

I see you love Trastevere... do you know any restaurants in other Rome quarters?
I' working on my website english version and I think that it will be a useful tool for you if you go often in Rome. May be you understand italian? Please check out for roma-gourmet.com and let me know what do you think about.

Regards,

Maria Luisa Basile
www.roma-gourmet.com