tiramisu

one of my favorite teachers in high school was my italian instructor, signora maria longo, whose energetic and animated style was the perfect introduction to the country i'd later fall in love with and revisit many times. she gave the quirkiest assignments. one week she ordered us to "think and speak italian in the shower for a week, using all the words you know." she'd often give us italian recipes as homework, asking us to come in the following week with a critique from a family member. some of the recipes were quite challenging, like ossobuco with rice. and then there was the tiramisu, which was a legendary hit in my family... well, i only made it once, but that's the secret to making legends!

whenever i order tiramisu in a restaurant i think of signora longo waving her hands and proclaiming,"YOU ARE GONNA LOVE it! it means PICK ME UP! the coffee and alcohol are gonna PICK YOU UP!"

tiramisu at saraghina in bed-stuy, brooklyn

saraghina

i've tried both the margherita and capocollo pizzas here --both easily the best pizzas i've ever had in new york.

saraghina is the name of the prostitute who dances the crazy rumba in exchange for some coins in that most unforgettable scene in fellini's 8-1/2.

there's nothing vulgar about the saraghina in bed-stuy; quite the opposite, it's a beautiful place. but it does share that tantalizing quality. i've been there 2 times in the past week and still find myself daydreaming about their pizza, the bubbling pieces of mozzarella di bufala, the slightly charred edges, the breezy backyard patio... and i wish i could just run over after work with my little coin and ask for "saraghina, la rumba! more!"