When you think about Italian food, the first foods that spring to mind might be pizza, pasta, Parmesan, or gelato, coffee and maybe even bread and olive oil.
A great cookbook is like a good friend: it is ever-present, reliable and trustworthy, offering unequivocal pleasures, comfort when comfort is needed, joy in the everyday.
At first glance, Okiba Mozzarella Bar might not appear to be an authentic Italian experience. But look past that and you'll discover that the food is as real as it gets.
Giuseppe Viterale never starts or ends the day without a cup of espresso. He fires up a little gas burner, spoons in the ground coffee and puts the aluminum one-cup pot atop the steady blue flame. "This is like a religious ritual for me," he says.
Risotto! That famous Italian dish of rice, cooked for at least an hour until tender and creamy. Is it worth the time and effort? We say yes! Risotto i...