Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Italian-Italian: torta della Nonna, so creamy and cheesy and perfect (with a perfect panna cotta a close second)

Italian-American: cannoli! I'm partial to those from Mike's in Boston's North End, so much so that I've had a birthday cannoil tray instead of a cake more than once...

Fusion food offers unlimited possibilities and if you have the ingredient compatibility and strong technique, it can be exciting and delicious. However, it's so often associated with cheap "fad" cuisine that slaps together two or more distinct flavor profiles and styles--and then we get monstrosities such as the buffalo chicken maki roll.

Nigella! She makes everything seem cozy, decadent and attainable. Exactly how I'd like my kitchen to be- less mess, more artfully thrown together

I'm always a sucker for a good old NY deli black & white cookie. Still nothing as satisfying as one of those babies, especially during a tough day.

No eating at chain restaurants or any kind. Taking the easy way out for lunch can be fast/appealing but it never ends well.

Gardens- grandmothers. Market- Trader Joe's...I've been a very busy and bad person this summer. No time for farmer's markets..

Caprese dressed with balsamic. Yum yum

I made a mango-lime granita yesterday. Accidental recipe actually because I wanted to make a mango salsa but the fruit was so overripe, it exploded when I cut into the skin. So I salvaged whatever flesh and juice I could, blended it with fresh key lime juice and simple syrup, jerry-rigged a pie dish for the freezer and three hours later, best dessert of the summer.

Although I love boozy desserts, my alcoholic all-star is definitely red wine in meat dishes, especially a Burgundy in beef stew. It takes it to the next level.

Flat Patties in Cambridge. Love the thin, griddled burgers.

Caprese salad or panzanella. Anything with fresh, juicy raw tomatoes

roasted veggies. anything mushrooom. hummus. ratatouille. it's really only tofu that gives meat-free a bad name. blech

Sadly it's a takeout sushi joint near my offices in Flatiron. Good bang for the buck but not superb.