Slow ride through Slow Food country For all the times I’ve visited Italy, I’ve never been in Piedmont until now, except once, to visit Torino. On that trip, I had a meal that seemed heavy and dull for Italian food, and based on that scant evidence, I decided I didn’t … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Markets
Torino, Italy-- I just arrived in Torino, and as usual when I visit Italy, I felt an immediate sense of well-being. Torino is a cafe city, with huge porticos that you can walk under throughout the town; it has been called "the most Italian city in France." I love watching all … [Read more...]
Savoring Sicily
My friend Fabrizia Lanza, the director of the Anna Tasca Lanza Sicilian Cooking Courses, will be here February 13th, and I'm throwing a reception with her at the San Francisco Writers' Grotto, where we'll taste some Sicilian wine and foccaccia, talk about Sicilian cuisine … [Read more...]
TripAdvisor VIP survey
TripAdvisor asked me about my favorites restaurants, hotels, and places to travel, plus my travel suggestions for San Francisco. Here's the interview: VIP Survey: Laura Fraser Author Laura Fraser (photo by Cristina Taccone) What’s your favorite hotel (and … [Read more...]
Atacama Desert in Chile
I just got back from the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on earth. That description doesn't make it sound very inviting, but it's a magical place, with the kind of rock formations you might see in Canyonlands, ringed with volcanoes, and lodges that serve great Chilean … [Read more...]