This week I’m exploring my favorite main course & dessert dishes. Our favorite foods are a fascinating subject and much more than just the science of taste. The ingredients of why we love certain foods include our genes, age, environment, and into the mix we must add a dash of memories of special moments. In the image above, Marla raises a glass to my ALL-TIME favorite main course, Saltimbocca alla Romana, from Chianti Ristorante in Denver. When it is my turn to cook I often do take-out here. I’ve tried Saltimbocca alla Romana in a number of places around the world but Chianti’s is my favorite!

Marla made her version of Saltimbocca alla Romana last week. I purchased veal scallopini and prosciutto from Tony’s Market in Centennial. At the farmer’s market, I found Chanterelle Mushrooms, carrots, and squash. She used Pecorino Toscano cheese and created a fantastic sauce. I must say…Magnifico!

Oops! I forgot two amazing appetizers in last week’s post! The top picture is “S’Amfora”, a paprika-spiced octopus and potato veloute. The bottom dish is a “Pave of Veal Tongue’, a confit and glazed, warm leek and potato salad. Both from Zaranda in Mallorca, both beautifully presented.

We loved this amazing 2.2 pound veal chop in Granada, Spain, at Carmen de San Miguel. It was cut in strips and grilled on the table with rock salt.

During a bike tour of the Italian lakes, my friend Philippe and I decided to treat ourselves to a celebratory dinner at the Mistral Restaurant in the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni on Lake Como. The sliced veal with shaved truffles was superb!

One of my favorite dinners is Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and lots of homemade gravy! This is a cherished photo of my Dad ready to begin carving. Yes,…that is Marla with a…fro!

My Mom introduced us to fabulous ravioli from Genova Delicatessen years ago. This wonderful photo shows a ravioli dinner at my Mom’s house with Marla and my brother Gary. Our whole family adores them! Unfortunately, they are only available at a few outlets in the Bay Area and in Hawaii.

My nephew Kekoa joined us for dinner on our last trip to the Big Island. He is a very good chef and beautifully prepared my new favorite fish,…Opah. In the past my go-to fish dishes were always Opakapaka (Pink snapper), Ono (Wahoo), or Mahi Mahi,…but Opah is simply wonderful when you can find it!

Kekoa works on his recipe for Poke. My brother Gary is busy with one of his specialties,… garlic bread!

2019 was a year of many celebrations. For this dinner, Marla prepared a sensational Rib Eye steak (from Costco) by cooking it on a cast-iron skillet. Wowza!!!

You can tell by the photo above I am one happy guy after devouring a chicken burrito from one of my favorite local Mexican restaurants, Patzcuaros.

On every trip to Dallas to visit the family, we always go to Mexican restaurants. Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village is a favorite with its style of modern Tex-Mex and great Margaritas.

I definitely wasn’t prepared to find a fabulous Margherita pizza in Spain but I found it at La Cuisine Restaurant in Marbella’s Old Town.

I confess…”I simply LOVE barbeque!” Dallas has loads of great BBQ but Pecan Lodge is a favorite! Their brisket is wonderful!

Certain dishes bring back fond memories of a location and of course their unique taste. Choucroute Garnie is an Alsatian assembly of sauerkraut braised in white wine, sausages, ham, fresh and smoked pork, steamed potatoes, and a dash of mustard. I first tried it in the town of Riquewihr in the Alsace region of France. While in Paris I often order it at the classic Brasserie Lipp.

My favorite Sea Bass was at Mallorca’s Restaurant El Mago at Playa El Mago beach situated in a beautiful cove. It is a nudist beach but I kept my eye on the delicious food!

I can’t begin to count how many times I been to Caspers Hotdogs Pleasant Hill, California. It is a Bay Area favorite since 1934!

The chicken sandwich at Roli Roti at San Francisco’s Ferry Building Saturday Farmer’s Market is just plain FABULOUS! The best I’ve ever had! They put it on an Acme sourdough bun as well! Can’t wait to go back!

This really happened! We ordered a chef’s “menu” at Ruta del Azafran Restaurant in Granada, Spain. The evening was warm, the wine tasty, and the cuisine was great,…AND THEN it was time for dessert. The waiter sits a large slab of slate with TEN different desserts on the table. I asked, “How many do we choose?” He answered back,…”They are ALL part of your meal.” Marla and I ate EVERY single one! Amazingly good!

Marla and I simply adore “Princess Cake” and Concord, California’s Alpine Bakery makes a delicious one! I haven’t found them in Denver but I’ll keep looking!

Ah…the majestic Profiteroles! Love them!

Some desserts are totally decadent like the Hula Pie at Kimo’s in Lahaina, Maui. Hula Pie is made with macadamia nut ice cream stacked high on a scrumptious chocolate cookie crust. A layer of cool chocolate fudge sits atop the ice cream giving form to this delight. Whipped cream dances at its base then decadent, hot chocolate fudge is poured over the top and drizzles to each side.

Marla and I often traveled to Brussels for a textile trade show. After dinner we strolled through The Grand Place, heading to Neuhaus Chocolate as well as Godiva Chocolates. Because they are so freshly made, they taste better than anything!

Well, this post has me totally famished! I hope you enjoyed it and possibly made you think about your favorite dishes! Share them with me!

Last weeks post was on AN EXPLORATION OF MY FAVORITE CULINARY DISHES. BREAKFAST, BREAD, STARTERS, SALAD. http://gentryconnects.net/?p=8383

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.