• Maria Valetta


    Fine Wine Representative for International Wine Brokers Inc., Certified Specialist of Wine, Wine Educator, Freelance Writer, and Former Host of The Philly Dish. Connoisseur of Food and Wine With a Passion for Travel and Culture!

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  • A Taste of Topics

Preserving the Abundance of the Summer Season

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Maria Valetta

Marisa McClellan with peaches Weekly Press • Wed, Sep 07, 2011 By Maria Valetta Food and Wine Connoisseur “What are you going to do with all of those tomatoes?” I asked as I stepped into Marisa McClellan’s small Center City high-rise apartment. There in the living room sat three stacked boxes full of tomatoes–90 pounds [...]

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Bye-Bye Bindi, Hello Ham!

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Maria Valetta

I received word the other day that Bindi, the Center City Indian byob is closing for good. Valarie Safron and Marcie Turney have decided to close it, and remake the space into Jamonera–a Spanish small plate wine bar. (more from Foobooz here). Yes, that’s right, a liquor license will be the crowning feature here. I [...]

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SLURPING DOWN THE SEA

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Maria Valetta

Oysters on the half shell. Photo: Maria Valetta Weekly Press • Wed, Aug 24, 2011 By Maria Valetta Food & Wine Connoisseur The pearl of the sea, that mysterious mollusk: the oyster. A culinary favorite for thousands of years—for at least since the Roman Empire human beings have been enjoying this exotic source of protein. [...]

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Over the Trendy Steakhouse movement? Go back to Sophisticated Simplicity

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Maria Valetta

The Prime Rib, lately overshadowed by the new, trendier steakhouses that have recently pummeled the Philly food scene, still hits the high mark when it comes to perfectly executed steaks and attentive service. A wine list that satisfies those on a budget (20 wines under $40) as well as those with a corporate spending account [...]

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Thoughts in the Morning

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Maria Valetta

Drinking mocha hot chocolate. The cup warming my left hand as the steam from the mug excites my senses.  Hot drinking-chocolate; a 2,500 year old tradition, nectar of the Gods, symbol of wealth and power. Today, it’s just as alluring. Made with full-bodied coconut milk, it is rich, aromatic, and heavily satisfying. The crisp, inky [...]

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