Good on Ninkasi Brewing for art support.

Society needs to recognize that the creative craft brewing folks at Ninkasi Brewing in Eugene, Oregon have been doing a great job not only brewing fine IPA beers, but with their success, they are also giving back to the world in note worthy ways. Read on.

https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/ninkasi-brewing-opens-in-house-recording-studio/

I’m not going into details here, but you can certainly read about how cool the folks at Ninkasi Brewing are at the above or below links. As a beer drinking, guitar/bass plucking, drum beating, bad singing song writer with bad hair that can make a quality music video, I personally wanted to take the time this holiday season to say ‘thank you’ for what you all do at Ninkasi. More folks should use this business model. Maximum respect Ninkasi.

http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/

Keep up the good work Team Ninkasi. Cheers.

“Wait until they discover Il Barroccio, in Florence.” the Dude of Food.

It’s true what they say about Il Barroccio on Trip Advisor and elsewhere on the internet. It is just a matter of time before folks will discover and be flocking to Il Barroccio . They are located just around the corner from a huge crowded plaza and under a jail window that once was home to Niccolo Machiavelli and is an easily found hidden gem.

On my first visit the Dude of Food asked to try “the homemade noodles wrestling with soft chunks of wild boar in a seriously delicious sauce”, please. I went back 3 or 4 times during my visit as these folks were good people and the place was great.

The boar sauce pasta dish looked unbelievable as it made it’s way over to my table. It truly tasted even better than it looked! My taste buds were over joyed. I followed the delicious pasta with a bath of decadent Tuscan red wine.

Photo of wine cart from inside restaurant.

Giovanni and Roberto are top notch folks and Il Barroccio offers food to match. If you are in town, the Dude of Food highly recommends any foodie to go here.

Motto grazie Il Barroccio.

“Favorite Pizzeria in Firenze” says the Dude of Food

If you happen to be visiting the incredible city of Florence, Italy and are hungry for a piece of pizza then get yourself over to Pizzeria del Duomo next to the Duomo church. This is the place! The staff is hospitable, they make great food and have tables out front in the plaza to sit and enjoy your slices. Be sure to try the meatball pizza. I love this place and went to visit daily. Motto grazie.

When in Florence the Dude of Food loves Bar Porta Al Prato.

Seen from the street, Bar Porta Al Prato looks like this corner building. Sitting quietly, this recently opened culinary beauty awaits your entrance, offering everything one could desire once you make your way through the doors and into the soul of this gem. I went daily.

Bar Porta Al Prato in Firenze offers both a great indoor environment or a huge patio out back to enjoy. The staff here are awesome, extremely helpful, talented, generous and fun besides offering many delicious and thoughtfully prepared Tuscan dishes.

Their menu offers everything from pizza and gelato to pasta and fine wine and everything in between. What a great way to spend quality time dining with your family, friends or team while in Florence.

The delicious wine comes from local vineyards that produce some excellent flavors. The homemade gelato is delicious and kid approved. (see photo below)

Thank you Bar Porta Al Prato for everything. The Dude of Food thinks you guys are doing a great job. Keep up the awesome hospitality and great food. They can also be found on Facebook by searching Bar Samus Porta. Grazie.

The Dude of Food lunches at McGraw’s Tucson Cantina

Sadly McGraw’s announces they are temporarily closed. Reach out and support them if possible.

The Dude of Food went to visit Tucson, AZ. After mom’s haircut we went to lunch at this cool place on a bluff. As you can see be the accompanying photo above, the view from McGraw’s Cantina is amazing. The tables on the outside patio look south over the east Tucson valley. If a gang of old west outlaws was riding up from Mexico, you would see their dust trail way before they would see you from here.

McGraw’s opened at 11a and they had a Tucson blonde ale on tap. The McGraw’s Cantina menu is full of good things to choose from and the two girls working there were very nice. It turns out McGraw’s hosts a steak night special on Tuesdays. This place really is a party waiting to happen.

Mom ordered a burger that looked awesome and a coke the waitress was happy to refill. The Dude of Food asked for the BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich and another Tucson blonde ale. The food was really good.

There are many restaurants in Tucson but McGraw’s Cantina may be host to one of the best. They have tons of party space plus plenty of parking and would make an awesome place to do an Arizona Octoberfest rager, BBQ challenge, wedding party, anniversary party, birthday party or any other celebration.

Check it out.

La Taberna Gallega in Barcelona makes great paella.

La Taberna Gallega located in the marina in Barcelona, Spain is incredible. The room gets full but the vibe is energetic and upbeat. The staff is super cool and fun. If you are in the Barcelona marina area come on over. There are many places to eat in the marina but I chose this one and was completely satisfied. Best paella and sangria of my life. Take the time and go here. Muchas gracias La Taberna Gallega staff.

http://www.latabernagallega.com

Pommes Boutique, Salzburg Austria

This place is delicious!

If you love fresh quality ingredients home made into simple food by caring hands then this is the place for you.

Quite possibly the best burger place in Austria!

facebook.com/pommes-boutique

Captain Croc – Paris, France

As I walked the 65 miles or so around town I could feel my energy getting lower.

I needed to eat and when in Paris you do as the Parisians do so I decided I needed wine with my lunch. The Captains Croc provided me with a delicious plate of salmon pasta in cream sauce and some wine to help keep me going. The staff was friendly, the food was great and I’d certainly go back.

If you are in the area then I recommend you walk over, just across the river from Notre Dame, and eat lunch here. You won’t be disappointed by the quality food, reasonable prices or friendly service. Merci Captains Croc.