Posted on July 7 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jeff,
How come the Godfather has never been invited to one of these soirees. I'm sure they must be part of my extended family.
I am all too familiar with these types of get togethers, and your article brings back a lot of great memories. However, at our backyard gatherings we had the privilege of drinking homemade vino - made exclusively by my grandfather and father.
I can specifically remember the big truck pulling up in my grandfather's driveway and delivering the many boxes of grapes. That was a sure sign that the grape press in the basement would soon be in action and the barrels filled for the long winter and hot summer to come. The vino was also a major staple at our family parties.
Maybe someday you could introduce me to the Barbato family and we could swap stories and recipes. I wouldn't be surprised if I already some of them.
P.S. Isn't there some nice Italian girl in the family that they could introduce you to. I hear Italian women make wonderful wives, and trust me, you will never go hungry. Besides, that way we could be Paisans (pals).

On Viva Italia!

Posted on June 18 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey weindog,
Are you sure you didn't come down with a case of U.S. Open-itis, lol. Hope your feeling better.

On Tigerless summer

Posted on June 5 at 8:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sara,
I first tried Magic Hat #9 last year when I visited MacGregor's Grill & Tap Room in Canandaigua. The place has over 70 beers on tap - mostly micro brews. I certainly enjoyed the taste of it.
I'll be going back there this weekend and I plan to try a few more different beers, including Brooklyn IPA, Hook & Ladder Golden, and Dogfish Head Aprihop, which are currently on special according to their Web site.

On Ode to cheap beer