Guido and Valentina of Bencotto
The Q
Major props to Guido, Valentina, and Chef Fabrizio at Bencotto, who were recognized by the Italian government with a “Q” rating for authentic Italian quality. Fancy! Can we still get a table?
Bits & Bites
Hot Block
C Street Corridor
What’s the best thing that can happen to a new restaurant like the Paul Basile-designed Ogawashi Sushi that opens boldly in a sketchy neighborhood like downtown’s C Street corridor? Having another equally bold, cool spot open down the street. And lucky for Ogawashi, Waters Fine Foods recently signed a lease to open a gourmet lunch spot just a few blocks down on C Street. Now, we still think it takes a threesome to get us excited, so here’s hoping another restauranteur sees the potential in the ‘hood. Or a microbrewery perhaps? We’d drink to that.
hot sauce
Special Sauce
Hot Idea
Local caterer Clyde Van Arsdall happened upon a brilliant way to market his hot sauce by mistake one day. He accidentally left it behind at a restaurant (he brings it with him to spice up dishes on the fly). Instead of going back to retrieve it, he figured that maybe the chef might find it and try it. And soon he started “forgetting” a bottle of hot sauce on purpose almost every time he ate out. And it’s working. Hanis Cavin of Carnitas’ Snack Shack tried and loved the sauce enough to incorporate it into some of his sandwiches, and he even sells it at a small retail display at the restaurant.
