Dantes blog

 A Slice Above: Pizza Marvin in Providence        Last night, I tried Pizza Marvin in Providence, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The vibe was laid-back yet trendy, with a killer playlist and the aroma of wood-fired dough filling the air.  I started with their classic cheese pizza, and the balance was perfection: a crisp, slightly charred crust, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella. Then, I ventured into their signature Hot Honey pie—sweet, spicy, and completely addictive.  Quick service, friendly staff, and unforgettable flavors make Pizza Marvin a must-visit. If you’re in Providence, don’t miss this spot—it’s pizza done right. Hidden Flavor Haven: Chinatown on Thayer  Chinatown on Thayer Street is a gem for anyone craving authentic, no-frills Chinese comfort food in Providence. I stopped by recently and was blown away by the flavors.  The sesame chicken was perfectly crispy with just the right balance of sweet and savory, w...

                                                           My journey and passion project           My name is Dante Soriano. I am a student at Johnson & Wales University aspiring to become a chef. I have adored food since a young age, and have been cooking since I could hold a spatula. I have also been working in the industry for about four years. I love cooking, but I also love learning about ingredients and the culture of food. I decided to turn my passion and my knowledge of cooking into a blog to inspire others to cook and learn more about food. Sharing recipes and my love for cooking brings me joy, and I hope it brings you joy as well.

Layers of Love and Tradition in Italian Cooking                   Picture a bubblibg tray of lasagna emerging from the oven. Its golden crispy crust and layers of soft pasta, creamy bechamel, and a rich meaty sauce all melded together. This quintessential Italian dish is more than comfort food. It’s a culinary heirloom passed down though my family. Lasagna's origins stretch back to Ancient Rome, where early forms of layered pasta dishes were described in texts like Apicius. The word itself is derived from the Greek Lasanon, meaning a cooking pot, which was later adapted into the Latin Lasanum. Over centuries, the dish evolved in Italy, with each religion contributing a twist on the dish. The classic lasagna alla Bolognese pairs spinach infused pasta with a hearty ragu, while in Naples, it consists of ricotta cheese and meatballs as common fillings. Despite these regional variations, lasagna remains a ...

A taste of discover                   Freshman year of college was a time of a lot of firsts: first late-night study cramming, first homesick experience, and for my roommate George and I, our first experience with a fine dining restaurant. As two freshmen culinary students who barely knew much about the culinary world, we were incredibly eager to get a taste of what it was like at the higher levels. We were incredibly curious and eager to learn all about it. In Providence, it is known that one of the best restaurants in the area is Persimmon. Persimmon is a modern American cuisine restaurant ran by Chef Champe Speidel. We were told that it was the place we should go if we wanted our socks knocked off. We decided that we would splurge one Thursday night and go and try Persimmon after some time contemplating it. Both of us were wide-eyed eighteen-year-olds who were accustomed to dorm food and take out. W...

  My Dear Dante,     Life is like a roller coaster. Sometimes it goes up, sometimes it goes down, sometimes it goes fast, and sometimes it goes slow. It can be scary at times, and at others it can be blissful. I can tell you now that there are going to be moments when you question reality. There is no way to put it into words, but you just have to trust the process and fight back against the hardships. You have successfully dug yourself out of many dark tunnels and the light is visible at the other end. I know that sometimes the tunnel might look like it caved in on itself, but I promise you found a way through the maze. Let me assure you, you’re doing better than you think you are. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Life’s a journey all about learning, growing, and finding joy in the process. While the path ahead is confusing and has no set directions, that’s okay. It’s in all of those detours and confusions that you’ll discover what truly matters to you. Dan...

    If you want to be confused to whether you walked into a weird thrift store or an incredibly old-fashioned restaurant, then you should head down to a Cracker Barrel. Never in my life have I been so confused by a restaurant’s concept and all-around vibe. When you first enter, you feel like you’re in a shitty thrift shop that hasn’t sold anything in 50 years. If a thrift shop and year-round Christmas store had a child, it would be that shop. They claim that they are a family oriented and old school country style restuarant, but I would not to be a part of that family. From the decore to the food, I was not a fan of any of it. Unless you like your biscuits as dry as sandpaper and your hash browns as cold as ice, do not waste your money or time here. To this day I cannot understand why this resturant has so many loyal customers who love it. The server who took care of us that day made it a little too obvious that she hated her job and put no care into any task. Just because ...