2011 Resolutions

I love New Year's Resolutions.  It's a chance to put myself out there to the world to be held accountable.  And if I don't reach my goals...maybe next year, right?  I don't beat myself up too badly.  Plus, I'm a list maker, and this is THE ultimate list, no?

This is the list right now.  I'm sure it will continue to grow throughout the year.

Things To Accomplish in 2011 in No Particular Order:

* Run a 5K (hoping to knock this one out early in the year)
* Write a Comedy Spec for the Nickolodeon Fellowship
* Write another Comedy Spec in case I make the first cut of the Nickelodeon Fellowship
* Revise "Ten Seconds" and get it to its fighting weight
* Enter "Ten Seconds" in the Nicholl Fellowship and make quarter-finals :)
* Revise "The Right Reasons" and get it to its fighting weight
* Polish Pilot for Fox Developement Program - Arg, Fox is restructuring its Diversity department and isn't doing the Development Program this year
* Write a Drama Spec (maybe In Plain Sight?)
* Write another Drama Spec (no clue as of yet)
* Enter Warner Brothers Writer's Workshop
* Enter NBC Writers on the Verge
* Blog at least 3 times per week
* Write hard R action/thriller Screenplay
* Take a trip to somewhere far, far away with Hubs
* Get a Manager
* Quit biting my nails.  I've been a biter my whole life.  I can't seem to shake it.
* Read twelve books (at least)
* Eat at ten new acclaimed restaurants
* Write nun Screenplay
* Never put "Lose X amount of pounds" on a New Year's Resolution List ever again

Looking forward to another busy year.

2010 In Review



Ah, Reflections - A rare double rainbow in L.A.


2010 was a great year for me. 

I started out the year by getting married in L.A. and honeymooning in Belize.  Swimming in warm water, snorkeling amongst the second largest barrier reef in the world, and climbing Mayan ruins was the best ever start to a year.

In July, we spent a few days in Maine with Hubs' family.  We played a lot of board games and relaxed next to the ocean.  It was lovely.

I started a blog and then ignored it.

In August, Hubs and I visited Glacier National Park, a place that holds many great childhood memories for me.  We saw 4 bears and 11 bighorn sheep.  It rained a lot, snowing at times, but we went on a magical hike that I'll never forget.

I decided I wanted to devote more of my life to writing.  Actually, I decided I want to try and make a career of it.  I didn't write too much at the beginning of the year, but I made up for it in the second half of the year.  I wrote and wrote and wrote, and ended up with the follwing scripts: 

* A "Chuck" spec.
 
* I did fairly major revisions on "The Rebound Guy," a rom com I finished in 2009.  Now I think it's in great shape.

* The first draft of a pilot, a supernatural drama that takes place in high school.  I will be revising it in 2011.

* The first draft of another rom-com either called "The Right Reasons" or "Key to My Heart," still debating.  I'm currently writing the second draft.

* The first draft of a drama, "Ten Seconds."  I will be revising it early in 2011.  It's the most contest-friendly script I've written and I plan on entering it into many competitions in 2011.

Five scripts in seven months.  Not too shabby.  I'm going to try to keep riding the momentum into the new year.

Breakfast of Champions

My favorite place to take my laptop for a morning of reading and writing is Porto's in Burbank.  They do not have Wi-Fi, which I love.  No distractions.  I just make sure I check my e-mail and stock up on reading material before I go.

It's been a little on the cold side and rainy lately, so I've been ordering to go. Ideally, I like to grab a table outside (it's too noisy inside) and set up shop for a couple hours. I can usually crank out a scene or two, or read a script if I'm not in the writing mood.

I try to get there early, before 9.  There's always a line.  Sometimes it's ridiculously long, but it's fast-moving, and a testament to the quality and price of the food.  I order the same thing almost every time I go.  One chicken croquette, one ham croquette, and a guava pastry.  The croquettes are to die for.  And they are under $1.  Not a better food bargain in the city.



Ham on Top, Chicken on Bottom


The chicken croquette tastes like a deep fried pot pie.  The ham croquette is smokey and creamy with a hint of chive.  They're both perfect, and I can't choose between them, so I have to sacrifice the calories and get both. 

This is my comfort food.

The Best Movies of 2010

...in my humble opinion.  Without further ado...

10.) The King's Speech - Colin Firth should have won an Oscar last year for "A Single Man."  His perfectly understated performance was beautiful and heart-wrenching, and I didn't even think the movie was that good.  So, please give Colin Firth his Oscar already :)  Hell, give Geoffrey Rush another one while you're at it.  These two are a joy to watch together in an all-around feel-good movie.

9.)  Catfish - Surprise standout.  Don't read anything about it, just watch it.

8.)  Inception - This movie had the potentional to be the best movie of the year.  Instead, it was a gorgeous-looking, intersting movie with no soul.  And the ending?  Maybe I would have cared if I felt any emotion for the Cobb character, positive or negative.  Plus, I think ploys to get people talking around the water cooler are lame.  I watched all 50 seasons of "Lost."  Been there done that, thank you very much.

7.)  Exit Through the Gift Shop - The more I think about this movie, the more I like it.  Perhaps, it's because I fancy myself an artist of some sorts.  But more than any movie I've seen this year, this one has a message.  Actually, it has a few.  But what's brilliant about the movie is that it doesn't have an agenda, it just gives you a lot to think about.

6.)  Temple Grandin - This is an HBO movie that from the preview looked like an obnoxious portrayal of a brilliant woman suffering from autism.  Not the case, at all.  Claire Danes is not annoying; she is, in fact, very good.  The movie is not about subject matter that I would normally be interested in (slaughterhouses, anyone?) but the movie sucked me in, and it was without a moment of sap or melodrama.

5.)  Scott Pilgrim vs. the World - Highly entertaining movie.  Very creative, inventive, and visually intersting.  My only gripe is that Ramona should have been cooler.  Scott was going through hell for her and I just wish she would have done something awesome at the beginning of the movie so that we were really rooting for him to get her.  Why go through all the hassle?  Just because she's hot and changes her hair color all the time?  That was Clementine in "Eternal Sunshine," except she was complicated and interesting.

4.)  Black Swan - I don't think I've particularly liked Natalie Portman in any movie since "The Professional."  And with all the raving about her performance, I went in expecting to be completely underwhelmed.  But she was fantastic!  I want her to play delusional ballerinas for the rest of her career.  Besides the performance of the year, the movie was also really good.  I usually don't like movies when you're seeing everything through the eyes of the protagonist and you're not quite sure what's real and what's fantasy;  you think you've been playing football the whole game and have everything figured out, then at the end, you find out you were playing basketball (ahem, Vanilla Sky).  I felt like I knew truth from fantasy most of the time in "Black Swan."  And the ride was beautiful, tense, sexy, and funny (funniest moment in film all year was in this movie--thank you, Mom, for never sleeping in my bedroom).

3.)  The Social Network - Seems to be the Best Picture frontrunner at this point.  Everything about this movie was solid: performances, script, direction, score.  But like some of the other films on this list, I didn't think it had a soul.

2.)  Winter's Bone - This is a great film.  The story has all the elements: a great protaganist, villains that are human, and a ticking time bomb scenario.  The movie is perfectly executed and Jennifer Lawrence's performance will deservedly get her an Oscar nomination and a slew of job offers.

1.)  Toy Story 3 - I laughed.  I cried.  I left the theatre knowing I had seen a thoroughly entertaining and satisfying movie on all levels.  Loved it.

Films That I Have Not Yet Seen (that have potential to be on the list had I seen them): 127 Hours, True Grit, Carlos, Another Year, Rabbit Hole, Animal Kingdom, I Am Love, Never Let Me Go, Greenberg

Edit: "Rabbit Hole" was very good. I would put it at #11. "127 Hours" was good too. Maybe #12.

The Best Movie I Saw This Year That Didn't Come Out This Year:  Inglorious Basterds.  When this movie came out to theatres, I didn't think the trailer looked too hot.  I didn't read any of the reviews.  I still hadn't forgiven Tarantino for the god-awful second half of "Death Proof."  So when I saw this little gem on Blu-Ray, I was blown away.  The first scene is amazing and the rest of the film delivers.  The best movie I saw this year.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is ever-evolving tradition-wise.  This year, Hubs and I are staying in L.A.  We didn't travel to our hometowns (mine in the Midwest, his in the Northeast) for Thanksgiving either, so it's our first family-less holiday season.  Which has been a little depressing.  But less stressful.  And cheaper.  And warmer.

So now we get to officially start our own/carry on traditions.  My contribution is Christmas breakfast.  My mom has made an egg casserole (how very Midwestern) every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember, and it's delicious.  No calorie counting on Christmas.

I made it for Thanksgiving this year, and it was just as good as Mom makes it, and Hubs loves it, so we're set.  Maybe next year we'll figure out a Christmas dinner tradition.  Baby steps.

Here's the recipe:

Breakfast Casserole

12 oz. bacon
6 oz. sharp cheddar, grated
10 oz. mushrooms, sliced
3 scallions, sliced
12 eggs
1/2 cup milk

In a large non-stick frying pan, cook bacon.  Drain on paper towels and set aside to cool, then crumble.

In same pan, with small amount of bacon grease, sauté mushroom and scallions, set aside.

Beat together eggs and milk.  Scramble in frying pan to desired consistency.

In medium saucepan, make milk sauce using the following ingredients:

2 Tb. butter
2 Tb. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups whole milk

First, make a roux.  Melt butter over med-low heat.  Add flour and cook in butter for 1 min., stirring often, to cook out flour taste.  Add salt and pepper. 

Slowly add milk while whisking.  Cook on low until sauce thickens (5-10 minutes).

Add bacon, cheese, mushrooms and scallions to scrambled eggs and mix.  Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. Pour milk sauce over egg mixture and gently mix.

Refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes or until slightly brown around edges.

Worst Movie of 2010

I can't think of a truly awful movie I saw this year.  I'm fairly selective, and I usually avoid the big summer popcorn movies.  I guess I would have to give it to Sex and the City 2: Lost in Abu Dhabi. I loved the series. I mean, I loooved it. Once, during a particularly depressing stretch of unemployment, I watched the entire series in one week on dvd. And I felt better.

The first movie was not good. The second movie is a mockery of everything that made the series great (and a smidge racist, to boot).

Let's Remember the Good Times

Well, I could write a term paper on how the movie directly contradicts characterizations that were set up in the series. But I will simply mention the most egregious one. Remember how when Carrie dated Aidan (the second time) and he just wanted to each fried chicken out of the bucket in bed when she wanted to go to the new hot club where she wore her engagement ring as a necklace, and his wanting to be a homebody was a major point of conflict? Okay, so in the SATC2, Big, now Carrie's husband, has become Aidan. Except he prefers his bucket of chicken on the couch. This seems natural for Big. He's settled, content. And he just spent an assload of money decorating this apartment, why wouldn't he want to relax and enjoy it? Carrie still wants to be out and about. Fine. So all the girls pack up and go to Abu Dhabi for some crazy contrived reason and she just happens to run into Aidan.  And she sparks with him. Whyyyyyy? Aidan and Big are now the same person! If you are in marital discontent, wouldn't the most enticing partner be the exact opposite of the person you are married to, at least for the sake of, you know, cinematic movie making?

Okay, I'm done.

Another surprise disappointment was a classic, From Here to Eternity. This one just didn't work for me. Characters without motivation. People making bad decisions for no reason. And a romantic, underexposed (it's really, really dark) roll in the sand couldn't save it. I don't know why this movie is so revered. Frank Sinatra gives a great performance, but that was the only high point in the movie for me.

The Best Books I Read This Year

None of these books were published this year.  I'm way behind on my reading.

Runaway by Alice Munro.  This collection of short stories blew my mind.  Ms. Munro has a way with words.  After reading this book, I want to read everything she has written.  That's the highest compliment I can give.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon.  My subtitle for this book is "How to Live the American Dream."  The book is a beautiful portrait of America and hope and dreams and disillusion.  Great storytelling.  I doubt it will ever get translated to film but this is one cinematic read.

Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson.  I went to the library to check out Gilead and it wasn't there, so I settled for this.  Solid read.  A story about mental illness that wasn't terribly depressing was refreshing.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I never read this in high school as I think most of America did.  I really enjoyed it.  The themes of greed and lack of consequence still resonate today.  I can understand why Carey Mulligan cried when she landed the part of Daisy. (Spoiler)  Every young actress would want to play this spoiled princess turned world's worst driver.  Don't know if I see Leo as Gatsby, but Tobey Maguire will make a great Nick.  I'm excited to see who will play Tom.  May I suggest James Marsden?  He always plays nicey nice and I think he could pull off smug aristocratic asshole and surprise a lot of people.

Books I want to read next year:  Gilead, The Corrections, The Road, Jane Eyre, 100 Years of Solitude

Glacier National Park

At the end of August, Hubs and I took a four-day trip to Glacier National Park in Montana.  I went to Glacier twice as a child, and remember it being the most beautiful national park I've ever been too.  Both times, we went in August.  As an adult, this trip was great.  Glacier was as majestic as I remembered it.  However it was much colder.  And rainier.  But we made the best of it.

We arrived late at night, flying into Missoula.  We stayed at a hotel, got up early the next day and started driving north to Glacier.  Since it was sunny that day, and we knew we would get to Glacier in the afternoon at the earliest, we decided to make a pitstop at the National Bison Range.  Probably the best decision made the whole trip.

Besides Bison, the Range is also home to antelope, bears, elk, and deer.  We didn't see any bears, but we saw everything else.

Antelope Hiding

Elk on the Ridge

Two Fawns

We arrived in Whitefish in the evening.  Whitefish is a quirky little town with a number of good restaurants about a half hour drive to Glacier.  When we return, we'll probably stay there again, just because there were so many good places to eat.

After breakfast the next morning, we drove to GNP.  Of course, it was raining.  We drove past Lake Macdonald and up to Logan Pass.  And then it was snowing.  In August.  Zero visibility and blizzard conditions at Logan Pass.  Not quite the vacation we'd had in mind.

Lake Macdonald

But apparently, bears like the rain because we saw 4 of them on the first day we were there!  First we had just passed Lake Macdonald and I looked over and saw him out of the corner of my eye.  The guy driving in front of my saw him at the same time, so we both quickly turned off and went back.

Black Bear

Later, on the East side of the park we were driving and saw ten cars and about 30 people standing on the side of the street taking photos.  We knew it had to be a bear.  It was a mom and two cubs.

2 Black Bear Cubs

Momma Bear

The next day it was also supposed to rain in the afternoon, but it looked like the best day to trek the Highline Trail.  It's a seven mile trail that starts at Logan Pass.  I can't recommend it enough.  The sights are breathtaking.  You're right up in the mountains, and it's not a strenuous hike, just long.  Pack a lunch.  There's a spot about halfway through the trail when you pass through a ridge that has oodles of flat rocks perfect for lunching on.

One of Many Shots from the Highline Trail

And we saw 11 bighorns along the way:

What I Learned from the Highline Trail: 

Bring ponchos.  At one point it was hailing and thunderstorming around us.  Thank goodness for the poncho.  Also, the Highline Trail does not end at a parking lot, or anywhere that's accesible to vehicles of any sort.  We assumed that the best choice would be the 4 mile hike to a parking lot where there was a shuttle stop.  But the 4 mile trail was entirely down hill.  After going 7 miles and then getting hailed on, 4 miles downhill was...hard.  Next time, I would get to the trailhead a couple hours earlier, take less photos, and walk the entire trail back to Logan Pass.  Even though it's more miles, it would be much better on the joints.

Other Beautiful Sights at Glacier:

Two Medicine

Places to Eat in Whitefish:

Loula's:  Great breakfasts.  We ate here twice and if we stay in Whitefish again, we'll probably eat breakfast here everyday.  Terrific eggs benedict, lemon raspberry french toast, biscuits and gravy.  Everything was good.  They specialize in pies.  I tried a slice of the huckleberry.  Very good, but a little expensive for a slice of pie.

Cafe Kandahar:  This was our big splurge.  We shared a pate appetizer which I loved.  I had elk roulade for my entree.  Hubs had Bison.  Both were very good with great sauces.  We shared pear cake for dessert which I loved, and I usually like my dessert to come with chocolate.

Tupelo Grill:  This place was packed, always a good sign.  Food was delicious.

Belton Chalet:  (Not in Whitefish)  This restaurant is right outside the West Entrance to GNP.  Best mashed potatoes ever.

Rome

St. Peter's Square

If I moved to Italy (someone please force me by knife point), Rome would be my city.  Ancient ruins in the middle of a modern city.  It's ultra romantic, yet feels like a bustling contemporary city.  I loved it.  We spent 4 days in Rome.  I think it was enough time to see everything we wanted to see, but I think I could've spent a full week wandering around and I wouldn't have been bored for a second.

Where We Stayed:  Hotel Montreal.  The room was a little dreary, but it's location within walking distance to the Colosseum and Forum and one block from the Subway, made up for it.  I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.  It's walking distance to the train station, as well.  And the concierge was amazing.  So very, very helpful and spoke perfect English.  This hotel also had a good continental breakfast that we fueled up on every morning.

Things to Do:

Colosseum:  Hello, Captain Obvious.  Spectacular.

Inside the Colosseum

Forum:  It almost feels like a cemetery.  Plus it was overcast the day we went, fitting.  We walked up to Palatine Hill.  We visited Caesar Augustus' house.  There is still vivid-colored paint on the walls.  It's incredible.



The Forum

Fresco on Caesar's Ceiling

A Wall at Caesar's House

Circus Maximus:  I knew there was nothing there, but after looking at ruins all day, I figured there would be some sort of remains there.  Not so.  It is merely a park.  But it's amazing to see how large it is.  And it's comforting to watch young kids playing soccer there.

Kids Play at Circus Maximus

Aventine Keyhole:  Climb to the top of Aventine Hill.  You'll pass a beautiful park overlooking the Tiber.  If you would have known such a gorgeous park existed there, you would have brought a picnic, or at least some pastries to enjoy while you sat on the bench overlooking the city.  Continue walking up the hill.  You'll see some humvees and men with large guns.  But do not fear.  Look to your right and you will see two large doors, one with a keyhole.  Look through the keyhole.  You will see St. Peter's framed perfectly between a tunnel of trees and bushes.  It's pretty nifty.

Aventine Keyhole

Scavi Tour:  Book this way ahead of time and be sure to bring your confirmation number.  You actually get to pass the Swiss Guards and enter the Vatican!  This tour takes you underneath St. Peters through the tombs that St. Peter's is built upon.  St. Peter's was intentionally built on a pagan cemetery.  Go Christianity!  Anyway, the tour is very cool, and you can hear mass going on upstairs.  Highlight of the tour is getting to see what is thought to be the actual tomb of St. Peter, aka the Disciple and first Pope.

Inside the Vatican

Vatican Museum:  So many great rooms filled with art, but the highlight is the Sistine Chapel and it was packed, even in January.  Bring some ibuprofen because your neck will begin to ache.

St. Peter's Cathedral and Square:  Beautiful cathedral, and I loved the square.  It had been pouring all day, but as we ate lunch the sky cleared and it was almost warm outside.  There was a huge nativity set up when we were there.

Saint Peter Wants You!

Trevi Fountain at Night:  Go see it at night all lit up and toss in your coin.  It's so romantic, and less people.  Visit during the day for excellent people watching.

Trevi Fountain at Night

Piazza del Popolo:  My favorite piazza in all of Italy!  There is a beautiful fountain, an out-of-the-place Egyptian obelisk, and two domes that divide the three roads that branch out from the piazza.  We went early in the morning and it was quiet and picturesque.

Tiber River:  From Piazza del Popolo, we walked along the river to Castel Sant'Angelo. We didn't go inside, I don't even know if you can.  Great views of St. Peter's.  Beautiful walk.

Trees Along the Tiber

Castel Sant'Angelo

Piazza Navona:  Three gorgeous fountains and great people watching.

Campo di Fiori:  Not the best market in January, but I'm sure it's fabulous in the warmer months.

Pantheon:  Amazing ceiling.

Pantheon Ceiling

Spanish Steps:  Nice views of Rome from the top.  Excellent people watching.

View from the Spanish Steps

Via del Corso:  It's the Michigan Avenue of Chicago, the 5th Street of NYC, and the Rodeo Drive of L.A.   I bought a great hat at a store called Kilt for 19 Euros.

Places to Eat:

Pizza e Mortadella:  When we left the Colosseum, we were hungry.  But we wanted to go to the Forum right next to us.  There are a number of food stands at the Colosseum, but they are uber expensive for bad food.  So we wandered up the street and came across this deli/supermarket.  I ordered a ham, mozzarella, & lettuce sandwich.  Hubs had a sandwich with melted cheese and deli meats.  We were able to eat while walking, exactly what we wanted.  Sandwiches for 2 = 10 Euros.

Sa Tanca Crostaceria:  A Sardinian restaurant with red walls and crazy set pieces.  The food wasn't spectacular, but it was a truly unique restaurant.  Appetizers + Dinner + Dessert + Wine for 2 = 58 Euros.

Da Baffetto 2:  The original Da Baffetto was closed so we went to the second incarnation.  The pizza was very good, even though I again made the mistake of ordering a pizza with too many toppings.  Stick with 1 or 2!

La Mensa di Bacco:  This restaurant was near our hotel, close to the train station.  I had a delicious cannelloni.  Hubs had rigatoni alla Amatraciana.  We also shared a carafe of wine and tiramisu.  Forgot to write down the cost but good value.

Matricianella:  This was one of the fancier places we ate at on our trip.  The place was packed with locals and we ate outside.  There were heat lamps to keep us warm.  I had truffle pasta and it was so truffle-y.  Too much, in my opinion.

Pompi:  Go there and get the best tiramisu.  Don't be scared away by the crazy-long line.  It moves fast.  10 Euros.

Tiramisu from Pompi

On our last day in Italy, Israel invaded Palestine.  There was a peaceful protest going on near our hotel.  I snapped a few photos.

Pompeii

Vesuvius Looms

Pompeii is a fascinating and slightly haunting place.  If you travel to Italy, you must visit.  We took the Circumvesuviana train and spent a few hours walking around.  It was pouring almost the whole time we were there, but we had our umbrellas.

We did splurge on a guide book at the gift shop (9 Euros), which I recommend.  The houses aren't labeled and it's helpful to know where you are and what you're looking at.

Bring a snack or a picnic lunch.  We purchased chocolate croissants at Pintauro for our Pompeii trip.  Way to plan ahead!

I've posted a few photos of my favorite sites, most notably, the Amphitheatre, a smaller version of Rome's Colisseum.  However, unlike the Colissium, in the Amphitheatre, you can walk around on the ground where the gladiators fought and died.

Entrance to the Amphitheatre

Small Theatre



Large Theatre

 Maybe it was because it was dark and raining, but Pompeii was empty when we were there.  Maybe saw twenty other tourists the whole day.  Yet another reason to go to Italy in January.

Naples



Piazza del Pebliscito


Naples was the surprise of the trip for me.  It has a reputation for being crime-ridden and dangerous.  And lately, with all the garbage collection strikes, really, really dirty.  When we were there it was not scary or barricaded with garbage bags.  We walked around at night at what we found out later was a "bad" neighborhood.  I felt as safe and secure as I do walking in my own neighborhood.  I think Naples has an unfair stigma because it isn't as pristine as the rest of tourist-packed Italy.  Since Naples doesn't have as many tourists, it doesn't have the revenue to keep all the graffiti away.  But I loved the city.  It felt more urban and diverse than anywhere else we went.  Dare I say it reminded me of Barcelona (although it's been over ten years since I've been to Barcelona, so maybe I would feel differently now).  Just be careful you don't get taken out by a motorbike.

Street View from the National Archaeological Museum

Where We Stayed: Piazza Bellini.  This hotel was fantastic.  It felt brand new, with modern decor.  The ceilings were high.  The bathroom was great.  The continental breakfast was almost as good as the one in Florence.  Free internet access.  Everything was great.

Things to Do:

National Archaeological Museum:  This museum houses many of the works of art discovered at neighboring Pompeii.  We went to the museum before we went to Pompeii, because that's what our schedule allowed.  I don't know if it might be better to go to Pompeii first because then you would have a reference point for the art.  Either way, definitely visit the museum.  It has an amazing gladiator exhibit.  And just like your favorite soon-to-be-out-of-business video store, it has an over 18 room where all the "erotic" artwork" is.  Kinky.

Via Toledo:  This is the main shopping street in Naples.  Definitely worth walking down just to see the sights.  The road goes all the way to the sea.

Side Street off of Via Toledo

Piazza del Pebliscito:  This is where Via de Toledo meets the sea.  There was an amazing art exhibit going on while were were there.  This was my favorite second favorite Piazza in all of Italy.

Art Exhibit at Piazza del Plebescito

Places to Eat:

Naples is home of pizza, and they aren't joking.  We went to a couple pizza places.  The first one was Trianon di Ciro.  The New York Times named this the best pizza in Naples, and I would have to disagree.  It was good, don't get me wrong.  But the best?  Nah.  I'm from Chicago.  I know good pizza.  I had the Pizza Forte with ham, mushrooms, and sauce.  No cheese, which I didn't notice when ordering.  My bad, because I like cheese on my pizza.  Hubs had the 8 Flavors pizza, which was better than mine.  The pizza was good, but we weren't dying to go back.  Two Pizzas + Wine for 2 = 23 Euros.

Pizzeria di Matteo:  The best pizza in Naples!  This pizza was great.  I had the Capricciosa with ham, mushrooms, and artichokes.  The sauce was bright with fresh tomatoes.  Hubs had the Bufelo, just mozzerella and cheese.  He learned the pizza lesson quicker than I.  With a good thin crust pizza with a great sauce, you don't need toppings.  Cheese + 1 should be the maximum.  2 Pizzas = 13.50 Euros.

My Capricciosa Pizza at Pizzeria di Matteo

Ristorante 53:  This place off of Piazza del Dante.  We were famished after the museum and strolling down Via del Toledo so we ducked in here.  Lucky find.  I had rigatoni with seafood and Hubs had penne with tomato sauce.  Pasta + Wine for 2 = 20 Euros.

Pintauro:  Naples' oldest bakery.  We tried the sfogliatella, a Neopolitan specialty.  So, so good.  I tried sfogliatella again in NYC at Di Ferrara, the only other place I've ever seen it.  Sorry New York, Pintauro's was better.

Sflogliatella from Pintauro