Dining with the Chef’s WifeBy Madelyn Miller, the TravelLady
 From my years of restaurant reviewing and food writing, I know a lot of chefs. But I don’t know many chef’s wives.
Even if I knew lots of them, I am sure Lori Farris would still be one of my favorites. I love to hear stories of how she and Efisio got started and I have enjoyed watching how their Arcodoro restaurants have grown. It’s fun hearing about their trips to Sardinia and their visits with the Italian family. So no trip to Houston would be complete without a visit to Arcordoro— and most important a visit with Lori. She knows what is coming up—like the new wines they are importing. She’ll tell me the story behind each dish and why it was put on the menu. She’ll recommend her favorite dishes and plan the perfect lunch. And then when I mention I am working on stories on Chocolate and Cocktails, she has them bring out more food. How Italian. You don’t have to know Lori to get a wonderful meal at Arcordo. Here is what she chose for me Antipasti Misti
a combination of Carpaccio di Branzino e Bottarga di Cabras
Thinly sliced fillet of Mediterranean seabass marinated with saffron, served with arugola, teardrop tomatoes, cannellini beans and shavings of bottarga finished with an organic orange extra virgin olive oil Panadeddas di Cinghiale al Piccante
Traditional Sardinian fried ravioli filled with wild boar and pecorino Sardo in a sauce of carmelized jalapenos , Miele Amaro and orange citrus Gelatina di Maialetto al Finocchio e Senapen
aspic of roasted suckling pig served with a fresh fennel and arugola salad topped with a grain mustard and pear dressing
  
Pasta 
Entree 
DolcePiccola Pasticceria Arcodoro
A sampling of Arcodoro’s signature desserts including Tartaletta Frutta, Crema Catalana, Panna Cotta al Caffe, Millefoglie alla Fragole and Ravioli Dolce di Ricottu
  
 I can’t believe I ate the whole thing. And every bite was yummy. It is lucky I travel a lot and can’t get there too often—because I think I consumed a month’s worth of calories in one meal. And enjoyed every bite.
Arcodoro
Centre at Post Oak
5000 Westheimer Suite 120
Houston, TX 77056
713-621-6888
arcodoro@arcodoro.com
www.arcodoro.com OTHER GOOD REASONS TO GO TO HOUSTON WHERE TO STAy Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
111 North Post Oak Lane
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 680-2626
www.houstonian.com Inn at the Ballpark
1520 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1520
www.innattheballpark.com BEST SPA Trellis, the Spa at the Houstonian
www.trellisspa.com LITTLE BLACK BOOK
(or at least dark chocolate) for chocoholics Brown Paper Chocolates
2711 Kipling St.
Houston, TX 77098
832.526.7967
www.brownpaperchocolates.com The Chocolate Bar
1835 W Alabama St
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 520-8599 RainDrop Chocolate
810 Waugh Dr., Suite 100
Houston, TX 77019
713-524-2864
www.raindropchocolate.com VINTAGE VALUES ..WHERE TO BUY PRE-LOVED CLOTHING AND TREASURES Wear it Again Sam
373 W. 19th Street
Houston, Tex 77008
713-862-wear (9327) Charm of Yesteryear Antiques
355 W. 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
713-868-1141
Closed Thursdays HOW TO GET THE TASTE OF HOUSTON AT HOME The Kitchen Bible
By Chef Randy Evans
Brennan’s of Houston
Bright Sky Press
www.brennanshouston.com BEST LIMOUSINE AND AIRPORT PICKUP Personal Service Limousine
832-275-7495
PSL4354@sbcglobal.net
www.personalservicelimo.com TIPS Houston is a car city. Unless you stay in the downtown area, public transportation is not easy and cabs are expensive. FOR MORE INFO ON HOUSTON
1-800-4houston
www.visithoustontexas.com Madelyn Miller is a food, wine and travel writer who loves Italian food. Eating it in Arcodoro is almost as good as eating it in Italy. Read her stories on www.travellady.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com, www.carladynews.com and http://www.americanwinery.com/contributor/writer/28 | 