Food & Wine's Cocktails 2006

For all you travelers out there who want to know what bar to check out and what to order as you wander across the country, check out Food & Wine Magazine’s Cocktails 2006. This book has the hottest bars, best bartenders and best drinks you can get in most of the major cities in the US. You’ve got to hit Frisson in San Fransisco for Duggan McDonnell’s XXX Martini complete with a dash of squid ink and Little Branch in NYC for Joseph Schwartz’s Silver Lining. You’ll find these and many more recipes in Cocktails 2006 along with some recipes for great bar food. Published once a year, this bar guide also reminds us what we need to give up and what we should look into in the Trends: What’s In & Out section. So what's at the top of the list? In: Flavored foam topped drinks (YUM!). Out: Jumbo margarita and martini glasses (no brainer there).

Summer Picnic Ideas:
Our Guide to Italian Food has a wonderful picnic recipe for Rice Salad which is one of those classic summer dishes that varies greatly from cook to cook. It is made with cheese, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, peas, tuna or ham and that’s only the beginning! And for another Italian picnic recipe try these Bowties With Chicken and Beans in a Spicy Sauce with tomatoes, onions and peppers which is a nice example of modern Italian cuisine