Lincoln was so beautiful last week--warm rain, sunshine, and lush green fields--it almost makes you forget the subzero winters there. Almost. We killed some kolaches (apricot!) and picked up radishes and greens from the downtown Farmer's Market. Melissa Clark had an article about roasted radishes a couple of weeks ago so I tried that one night, which was really good. My favorite is just is a plain radish sandwich--paper thin slices with salt on buttered toast. My Auntie introduced us to kale...chips? It's simple, just kale leaves sprinkled with sea salt and olive oil, oven-dried until it's crispy. What else, what else. Our friends at Cultiva opened a new shop on 11th street--it's only seven days old! I brought back their single origin Amaro Gayo. Bin 105 is almost two months old--and it's already the best shop in town--super grand opening on June 10.

Here’s the exciting follow-up test post I was talking about. The video is from my recent visit to Vinitaly and the subsequent visit to some outstanding producers in Friuli. Paolo Domeneghetti of the excellent importer Domaine Select Wine Estates is ahead of us in the VW wagon. I’m in the passenger seat of a rented 2010 Fiat Cinquecento while Ken Fredrickson, MS tries to keep up. Paolo drives fast!