Out of This World - Tuscany Meets Sicily

Geppetto’s meatballs are delicious. A recent five star Google review backs me up on this.

When Roger and I came onboard in 2017 Geppetto’s meatballs came from a purveyor of foods. They were shipped frozen, ready to heat and eat!

One weekend evening, early in ownership, there was a hubbub in the kitchen. Murmuring translated revealed a shortage of meatballs and concern that the purveyor would not be back to bring more for days.

Having never had the opportunity or desire to try the meatballs at Geppetto’s… I did that night. One bite said it all. Blech!

The sauce was delicious but I knew immediately that which was called a “meatball” was not. What I experienced was more like a spongy nugget made, I’m pretty sure, with mostly fillers, some spices and perhaps a bit beef. Blech!

I thought. Why can’t we make our own meatballs?

The next morning I called my friend, Kelly, who lives outside Boston. I told her about our meatball situation and begged for help with her Sicilian grandmothers recipe.

Kelly, I said. A little bit of this and a little bit of that has been fine at home… but now I need to multiply your family recipe by 40 and have the ability to offer these meatballs daily.

After my friend and I did some math… Roger and I dove right in and made our first batch.

Four hundred and twenty five Geppetto’s meatballs were born that day. I soon realized they could easily be made with gluten free breadcrumbs with no change in food quality. Suddenly… we not only had yummy house made meatballs to offer… but a really awesome gluten free option too!

True… it’s way more work than receiving frozen goods and heating… but you sure can taste the love. Sometimes the extra mile makes all the difference.

Also true is the fact that any good Italian family has their very own… “best meatball recipe in all the world!” I respect that completely. My heritage is not at all Italian… I am French and Irish, Czech, Bohemian, Swedish and Dutch. I had to reach east to Massachusetts for the recipe for the best meatball I’d ever tasted. The generosity of my friend brought her grandmother’s recipe to the Willamette Valley… all they way from Sicily. Geppetto’s Tuscany met Sicily by way of Salem.

Thank you, Will, for your review!

“The meatball was on point it was out of this world.”
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Dine in or call for #TakeOutDelivery 503.378.1271. We are still closed Tuesdays… currently building the team to get back to seven days a week!

A Case for Heaven - Date Night!

Rare moments are they when Roger and I take time to indulge.

Happy to be together and away from work… we watched the trailers and munched on a fresh popped bucket of movie corn. My side gets salt. His side does not.

When the trailers began to repeat themselves for the third time and our popcorn was half gone a crew member appeared. The woman kindly told us the movie was broken and would not be playing.

“So sorry.” She said. “You can pick up free passes or get a refund on your way out.”

We will try another day.

Meanwhile I realize…

We have been training… in terms of disappointment… for some time now. So much so that the word and it’s meaning have kind of left my vocabulary.

Not what we thought our night would be?

No matter… we hold hands and keep walking. We roll on… knowing, trusting that what we have had is enough… and something better for us is on its way.

Our time away from the restaurant was simply perfect… and my half of the popcorn was too.

While we didn’t get to see A Case for Heaven that night… one was found in the Flan at La Vida Catrina Kitchen of Mexico.

I’m telling you… Oscar and Isabel know what they are doing… and they are doing it for all the right reasons. You can taste the passion and the love.
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If you haven’t been there… go and enjoy! If you’ve been there you know what I’m taking about!

​From Puebla with Love!

Incredibly fresh and flavorful food is coming forth from this kitchen. You can absolutely taste the passion.

They had me at the chips and salsa. The fresh agave and lime margarita was like dessert! Everything in between… just about put me over the edge; the fresh Spinach Enchilada, the Chicken Quesadilla, a mix of crisp spinach and greens add fresh white corn, red onion and cherry tomatoes with that magic potion on top (a.k.a. their house made Apple Vinaigrette Dressing). Literally everything was delicious.

If you want authentic Mexican food pleasing to the palate… this is definitely one of the top places to call or be in Salem.

Oscar and Isabel La Vida Catrina kitchen of mexico have worked tirelessly. Like us, they have managed to survive the last two years of difficulty. I applaud their efforts and their unwillingness to sacrifice food quality in spite of rising costs. It is obvious they use only the best and freshest of ingredients.

We had heard great things and finally made it there today for lunch. (An unforeseen benefit to our Tuesday/lack of staffing closure).

I encourage all to share this culinary experience with family and friends… or perhaps a date. The food and service will not disappoint.

My mind is blown.

Perhaps no secret but Isabel speaks great English and loves to practice. We traded a little. I practiced my Spanish. She practiced her English. I would be happy to spend more time together… for together we learn.

¡De Puebla con Cariño!
From Puebla with Love!
Enjoy.

Call to order (503) 339-7297
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They are open till 9:00 tonight!