17 Comments
User's avatar
Eric Goebelbecker's avatar

I think you forgot a footnote. I looked all over the top of the page and can't find it.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

You’re so gen something!

Kristi Chase's avatar

I agree that smoked mozzarella is odd and should be avoided at all costs. I remember that the original Bertucci's pizza was invariably lightly smoked. I rather liked the hint of smoke but I have no recollection of there ever being fresh cheese on their pizza.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

It’s how they handle the oven. Or not.

Andrea Eschen's avatar

Despite the smoked ricotta and studying the menu for punctuation errors, this sounds like a great place. I’d be happy to go with you sometime to assess the menu from a writerly perspective.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

Oh I'd LOVE that - I miss you!

Andrea Eschen's avatar

We’ll make a plan to do this and do much more.

Paul Prothero's avatar

As one who had correct grammar, punctuation, and usage pounded into me at the point of a ruler by nuns and brothers, I quite enjoyed this essay (except for the description of smoked ricotta, which is an abomination).

Marjie Alonso's avatar

I knew you’d understand.

Karen Klein's avatar

Is it controversial to say I don't like smoked anything? Just tastes like fire and burnt things haha

Marjie Alonso's avatar

This is correct!

Emily Yerby's avatar

Well, I can say I have eaten fermented shark. It’s not terrible, with lava bread.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

So not the sodden mattress variety, then?

Emily Yerby's avatar

Oh, it’s not delicious by any means. As Mary Poppins once sang, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. So, as long as you eat it with something to mask the intense ammonia smell and taste, it’s consumable.*

* I recommend brennivín as the something to eat it with. “Traditionally chased with a shot of the strong Icelandic caraway-flavored schnapps, nicknamed the "Black Death," to wash away the potent flavor.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl

Helen's avatar

Having trouble getting past the asterisk. The younger generation, sigh, and also tut tut. Maybe you should create a new email address and then send them an anonymous tip on how exactly they should be using asterisks? I'm not even joking. (I silently judge people who call themselves "writers" and then fail to use capital letters at the beginning of sentences. In case that's not enough censure, I also refuse to read their writing. Not that they're aware of any of this but I feel justified in my silent protest.)

Smoked ricotta and smoked shark are both delicacies I will refrain from trying; thanks for the tip.

BTW if it wasn't obvious, I laughed hysterically at this piece.

Marjie Alonso's avatar

You’re very sensible about your culinary lines in the sand.

Helen's avatar

It's important to have standards, as you have noted.