What's For Lunch? Sal's Ristorante Italiano

Well, travel season is in full swing at least for me. People are sneaking off early to take in a quick weekend mini-trip or is that just me?? Either way, when you take a mini-trip, it is extremely important choose between letting the wind carry you along and having everything "masterplanned" out. Most of the time, I have most of my trip planned out in order to get as much done in a short period of time as possible. Other times I'll plan half of the trip and leave some time for exploration.  This weekend was a football travel week and we were road warriors Saturday and Sunday. Ahhh, but Sunday, we found a true treasure tucked in Williamsburg, Virginia.  My son wanted pizza. I asked him if he wanted some "chain" pizza or some authentic Italian style pizza? He decided he wanted something authentic, so I typed in "pizza restaurant" into Google Maps. I scrolled through the long list, yet settled on the first (closest) spot.

Sal's Ristorante Italiano

835 Capital Landing Road

Williamsburg, Virginia 23185-4324

Easy to find and in a great touristy neighborhood, we pulled into Sal's Ristorante Italiano. Fresh fried mozzarella and pizza (pepperoni and sausage) were our choices! And boy, were we happy. The food was delicious. The menu was full of my favorites, so I'll have to go back and sample some other great dishes like Chicken Marsala and Mussels Marinara. The atmosphere was quaint and pleasant. Our server was efficient and kind. No complaints...just praise for a lovely restaurant. The owner was full of personality and we enjoyed the conversation! We felt like part of the family! Anyway, when you're in Williamsburg, Sal's is a must! Oh, and check out the website for a coupon! I wish I had known, but I will be back soon! Yum!

Thumbdrive Death Update

Remember when my thumbdrive died?? If not, read about it here. Then read on...

Well, the IT guru recovered 15 of my 4,000 files. All is not lost. I will set aside a few hours to assemble my files from my email accounts and hard drives and then move them to the cloud. Sigh.  I've actually gotten over it. The nauseous feeling I had in the pit of my stomach when it first occurred to me that I only had 15 files (4 of them corrupted) is gone. This unexpected data dump allows me to come up with some fresh ideas and may just be what I needed to escalate my writing. Or...at least that's what I tell myself.

Book Review: How the Other Half Hamptons by Jasmin Rosemberg

How the Other Half Hamptons by Jasmin Rosemberg
5 Spot (Hachette Book Group)


Spring cleaning definitely has benefits. You get to clear out and freshen up things for the busy travel season ahead!! Well, I was sorting some things out in the garage and I ran across a brand new book among other books that had been packed away.  I had never seen the book before. It was published in 2008 which was a year full of transition. I may have even purchased it while in a fog, but I sure am glad I found it!  

Three friends--Jamie, Rachel, and Allison--pay for share house arrangements one summer in the Hamptons and their lives change forever. While that may seem like a rather dramatic observation, it is true nonetheless. Between hookups and hangouts, these girls find out a lot about themselves and about what they truly want.  I enjoyed the entire book. I enjoyed the plot. I enjoyed the insider approach to Rosemberg’s writing. Can I call her “Jasmin?”  After reading this delicious novel, I feel like we’re friends for some odd reason. Her background as a nightlife reporter for the New York Post serves her well as she gives readers a taste of the not-so-often seen side of the Hamptons. 

Jasmin Rosemberg’s How the Other Half Hamptons is an easy read that you won’t want to put down. It was not at all what I expected which was a pleasant surprise. The book is a sneak peek at not how the upper echelon “hamptons” each summer--oh no--but, it’s about how twenty-somethings (sometimes thirty-somethings) break and bend the law in order to make summer memories. As the byline reads, “One house. Forty strangers. Add vodka and stir…”

I appreciate this book not only for the entertainment factor, but also because it shows women from all backgrounds that there is a clear distinction between boys and men. I could relate to some of the hijinks, tomfoolery, and down right ambiguity of the guys these girls had to encounter. I also could relate to the cattiness that plague female interactions. Jasmin got the tone just right and I found myself reading at a frenetic pace in order to find out how things were going to pan out. For example, the adventure in the Lexus was hilarious however, the writing was so great that I felt anxious for the girls! I felt as if I were the fourth chick in the back seat trying to find a sign on the dark roads to save us from a debacle of a trip. Anyway, as you build up your beach reading list (I know I am), add this gem.  If you can’t wait, read it now to get some ideas of ways to spend your summer...or things to avoid!