San Gusme’s best restaurant – Sira e Remino in Tuscany.

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The Dude of Food recently visited the gorgeous Tuscan region of Italy. Luckily, my aunt and uncle were in the area and invited me stay at their rented villa for a couple nights. The place happened to be a short walk from the cool old Italian village called San Gusme. In this village you will find one of the world’s finest culinary dreams come true. A place called Sira e Remino.

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The restaurant’s sign which says Sira e Remino un cult, is exactly the kind of cult I need to join. Their place is located within the small old village walls and is absolutely awesome. The greeting and hospitality were warm and genuine. Our party of 7 were shown to the ‘Frank Sinatra room’ in the back away from the local soccer club filled bar. The local team was loudly rooting for a national team.

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Our group began this heavenly experience with lots of wine followed by salads, anti pasta, then more wine followed by pasta and incredible sizzling meat trays. There wasn’t a thing that wasn’t perfect about this entire place, staff and meal. The prices were far from greedy. The quality and portions were ultimately generous. This meal will be remembered for life.

Thank you Sira e Remino. Now I’m thinking I should get a job here just to be close to your quality food.

“Favorite Pizzeria in Firenze” says the Dude of Food

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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.

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Volterra, Italy: History and fine Tuscan dining at Restaurante Enoteca del Duca

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Restaurante Enoteca del Duca      Volterra, ITALY

Opening just in time for 7 hungry tourists walking by to enjoy lunch, we lucky visitors were led to the back patio garden of this place, by a friendly staff member, to enjoy a warm spring day and some Tuscan lunch. After some refreshing wine the group chose a number of various items that can be seen above. All were incredible tasting. If you are unsure which place to eat while visiting Volterra then decide to eat at Restaurante Enoteca del Duca. Luckily, The Dude of Food and friends chose to go here and it was one of the best decisions ever!

Motto bene! Grazie.

The Dude of Food likes Loveless Cafe Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce.

Off of Highway 100 in Nashville is a place called the Loveless Cafe. You may not be close enough to walk in but you can go to their web page and check out the stuff they make.

http://store.lovelesscafe.com/product/hot-sauce/sauce-seasoning

The Plain Ol’ Hot Sauce is one of the secret ingredients the Dude of Food adds to his homemade michelada recipe. It adds the perfect amount of spice. Truth be told, the Dude of Food also likes Red Rooster, Frank’s, Texas Pete’s and Crystal from Louisiana. They all go great in a michelada, on grits, greens, smothered chicken, gravy, stuffing, waffles, wings, eggs and much more.

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The Dude of Food introduces “Michelada Mondays”

If everyone in town can decide to make Tuesday for tacos then the Dude of Food and a few friends are claiming Monday for Micheladas. Get some. A michelada for breakfast is way better than donuts.

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Mr. Coffee is back in my kitchen!


Back in July of 2013 I had to lay my Mr. Coffee to rest after many years of good service. I tried to embrace another brand but the brewer just could not perform to the standards that my trusted Mr. Coffee maker operated at. The biggest set back was the new machine just would not brew the water hot enough.
Anyways, after a couple months of struggling, I gave the new one away to my security guard buddy who works nights and bought another Mr. Coffee machine.

Now all good is restored in my kitchen.

Welcome back Mr. Coffee and thank you.

https://www.mrcoffee.com/    Welcome back

Chocolate Candy Showdown!

Whitman’s  vs.  Russell Stover chocolate candy taste test.

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Today I had the awesome task of tasting a bunch of chocolates and then telling the world my opinion. Lets get down to business.

I had a box of Whitman’s assorted chocolates containing 7 candies, a box of Whitman’s Reserve that had 2 candies in it and a box of Russell Stover chocolates containing 4 candies.

After tasting each I came to the conclusion that I like the Russell Stover chocolates a bit more. It’s hard to say chocolate is better than chocolate but being side by side made it easier to pick a favorite. My taste buds told me that I favor the Russell Stover candies a little more than I liked the Whitman’s candy.

In 1993, the Whitman’s Chocolate brand became part of the Russell Stover’s Family. They continue the tradition of creating the Sampler boxes.

Unfortunately, neither Marsatta Chocolate or See’s candies were not sold at Rite Aid and did not participate in this survey.

Plantain Dessert

Rum plantain glazed dessert.
Rum plantain glazed dessert.

Yum, I visualized this dessert and made it happen.

Scoop out a pineapple and put it in freezer for 2 – 3 hours. Chop, slice and dice pineapple insides, your favorite berries and melons and put in the fridge.

Pan heat some molasses, smokey rum and touch of pineapple juice with some sliced plantains. When the plantains look like they are getting soft, pull the pineapple from the freezer and half fill it with vanilla ice cream. Install refrigerated pineapple chunks, berries and melon on top of the ice cream.

Time it so when you stuff the pineapple with ice cream, the plantains are fully heated and soft. Pour the heated plantains over the top of the chopped fruit and ice cream you just stuffed into the pineapple and get ready to watch some TV. You can even top with your favorite chocolate sauce and crushed nuts and it wouldn’t be a problem. The cherry on top is also your choice.