Brunch at Trattoria Lisina

We Divas of the Dirt enjoy cooking for each other during the rest of the year, but in January we like to meet at a restaurant. The declared reason is that we need to set up the calendar of project days for the coming year but the real reason is that it's fun to be together.Mindy had already been out to Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood - she didn't have any trouble convincing us that we needed to see this Tuscan-inspired destination with its adjoining Mandola Winery. The winery is a venture of Damien Mandola who with restauranteer nephew Johnny Carrabba hosts the cooking show Cucina Sicilia on PBS. There may be cedar scrub all along the roadside on the drive out, but once you pull into the complex, you're in a Hill-Country version of Tuscany. Across the way is a young vineyard and the landscaping enhances the illusion.The food may be a little pricey but it was absolutely delicious - beginning with bubbly Prosecco, breads and olive oil. We moved on to Calamari and Bruscette topped with Cannellini Beans, Tomato/Basil and Chicken Liver...then finished with Gnocci, Clams, Pizza, Minestroni, Insalata, Cannelloni Lisina and Osso Buco.


Next time you see us we'll be back in our gardening clothes - here's hoping 2009 will be a good gardening year for all of you and all of us. Happy New Year from Buffy, Glinda, Sophia, Annie, Mindy, Karla & Mattie