Pasquale Bros. June 2010 Newsletter

What a month this is going to be!!! Already unseasonably super hot weather, hardly any rain. The farmers will not be happy, but city residents, and restaurants with patios are loving it.  Not only the G8 in Muskoka, but soon Toronto will experience the G20.  My truck drivers have had to undergo security checks, and will need photo ID to access certain downtown clients.

This is a good time to plan ahead.  Please check your calendars for any delivery restrictions, because a few moments of planning now will save us all a lot of inconvenience later in the month.

While we are on the topic of the G20, July 1, falls that week on a Thursday.  I am sure that we will all be ready for a day off.  Rather than close on the Thursday, and open for just one day, Friday, Pasquale Bros. will close for a rare 4 day weekend.

*****CLOSED JULY 1, 2, 3 & 4*****

And if the G20 is not hectic enough, what about the WORLD CUP?  Running from mid-June to mid-July, a real global event.  And according to reports, it has the largest viewing audience of all events.  Toronto being a multi-cultural city, has street parties spontaneously breaking out after almost every game.

Keep in mind that we have exclusive items from 3 of the big soccer countries: Spain, Italy and France.  Call us and talk to my great staff when you are planning your special menus.

Speaking of Italy, after so many times there, I have to repeat that it is almost impossible to eat a bad meal.  What I notice this time was an updating of traditional dishes.  Where I stay in Salsomaggiore Terme, the locals would never dream of eating fish or seafood.  Therefore, I was somewhat surprised to find a restaurant specializing in those dishes.  My friend and I dined there, and were very impressed.  The explanation: the chef is from Naples.  One appetizer was: shrimp and pineapple with chopped parsley, and the other smoked salmon mousse, molded in a large scallop shell.  Very exotic for a town known for "seniors taking the waters"!

Another great meal was at the Agriturismo run by the Paltrinieri family.  After touring their facility, they insisted on me sampling their products.  (We carry their full line of wonderful balsamic vinegars, all traditionally made.)  Not wanting to disappoint them, I sampled the vinegars, wondering if I was going to end up with a massive stomach ache.  They tole me that balsamics are actually a "digestivo".  They were right, I felt wonderful.

Guido Paltrinieri does all the cooking for the 3 days that they are open: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

He uses the SUPERIORE BALSAMOTTO when cooking the risotto, and also drizzles the same product over his apple custard tart.  Along with these 2 items, he also served: 36 month Reggiano drizzled with 20 yr Balsamic, homemade tortelli, roast pork layered with ham & cheese, roast potatoes, and chocolate brownie cake.

With the economy picking up, we are busy restocking the warehouse.  Here at Pasquale's we already have our World Cup schedule up, and we are making our picks.  Drop by to have a complimentary espresso, and watch a game in the store.