iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Ed was inspired to make Goan Pork Vindaloo with a sauce filled with warm spices (ginger, paprika, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic) but which also required side trips to MidEast Market (for Kashmiri chiles) and PanAsia Market (for coconut vinegar). Totally worth the extra effort.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Best Christmas leftovers ever: Ed’s lasagna alla bolognese, featuring the mandatory green (spinach) noodles, layered with pork ragù and béchamel (traditionslly used instead of mozzarella in Bologna). Note that the Parmesan scoop is my spoon from when I was a baby.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Red sky on BlueSky: An autumn evening —at Christmas— in St. Louis.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

It kinda looks like, oh, I dunno, a ballroom.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Ed spent Christmas week making Tagliatelle with ragù alla bolognese (the extra ragù is for the traditional Christmas lasagna); Coquilles St Jacques; Chinese-American stir-fry; Chicken stew with biscuits; and Spinach and cheese soufflé. He’s a machine.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Final meal in Bologna, and since it was cold and rainy, Ed took me back to his favorite neighborhood spot for tortellini in brodo, the bolognese version of a healing chicken soup.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Our last date night in Bologna was at a cozy table at Angolo degli Orefice, where we shared more local specialties: a perfect bolognese lasagna, passatelli con crema di parmigiano e funghi porcini (which is NOT pasta per se) and regional meats and cheeses. All quite wonderful.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Al Sangiovese is a cozy restaurant with traditional Bolognese dishes and charming staff. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, though: gramigna with sausage cream sauce, the local lasagna that includes bechamel and the mandatory green pasta, polpette with stuffed zucchini, and beef carpaccio.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Ristorante da Cesari is a cozy place with a charming host and a hearty traditional Bolognese menu. After a shared starter of porky mortadella, a wonderfully chewy gramignone verde al ragù di salsiccia, and the Scaloppina alla Petroniana con Tartufo Bianco (because: white truffles!).

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Excellent lunch at Corte De’Galuzzi featuring a couple traditional Bolognese favorites. First, a salad of mâche (lambs lettuce), bresaola, tomatoes, avocado, and walnuts. Then, my tortellini in brodo and Ed’s tagliatelle verdi. Then, time for a nap!

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Ed took me to lunch at one of our favorite destinations in Bologna, the always excellent Drogheria della Rosa, where host Emanuele Addone makes sure we feel special and cared-for. Today’s traditional treat: tagliatella al ragù. Perfection.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

A morning stroll off the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna took us past all the wonderful vendors of local prosciutto, mortadella, parmigiano, tortellini, and gorgeous vegetables.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Nothing like good pasta to make you forget a tough travel day. Ed took me to Trattoria Trebbi near his Bologna apartment: mortadella with mortadella mousse to start, then his tagliolini and my tortellini, both with that rare autumn treat, white Alba truffles.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

It might have been wise to add a hyphen between the second and third words, but as is, I have questions: Are some ass toys bad? How would I know? And where should I drive them?

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

I swore off pasta until I join Ed in Bologna this weekend BUT I could NOT turn down the gnochetti (with Spanish octopus and ‘Nduja) at Vicia. Thanks to my buddy Alex Levine Clardy for being my Ed-free date (although she didn’t get near my duck-liver mousse with apricot and sweet-corn madeleines).

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

The autumnal butternut squash tortelloni at Katie's Pizza & Pasta Osteria (in deep brown butter with crispy sage) is a wonderful treat, made more so by dining with my amazing long-time friend David Toben. A perfect lunch experience.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

My niece is staying with me this weekend while she attends and vends at SLICE (the St. Louis Independent Comics Expo), which means I need to look my best.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Another Ed-free date on The Hill: I had to have Anthonino’s Taverna’s t-ravs because (prove me wrong) they have the most flavorful marinara in town. Their traditional pizza (a little wet in the center “come i napoletani)” is mostly a take-home treat today.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

I tried the new Bites Revolving Bar in Cape Girardeau, and it’s a hoot. Dishes wander past your table like an Automat on an airport people mover, and you grab what looks good. (I ordered the bibimbap off-menu.) It’s hypnotic: even when you’re chatting or not hungry, you can’t not watch.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Another Ed-free date night, another dinner on The Hill. Last evening’s treat was on the side patio of Lorenzos Trattoria: a gloriously messy pile of bright fresh bruschette followed by an Italian-American classic, tortellini with peas and prosciutto. A cocktail might have been involved.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

This one is for my girlfriends. You know who you are. (And I repeat: Brenda Starr was a goddess.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Another Ed-free week of dinner dates, and the first of three on The Hill. Charlie Gitto's has, for my money, the best t-ravs in town (they claim the title of OG): filled to bursting w/ meat and w/ all sharp edges trimmed off. Add their Fiore Boghese (in a pink cognac sauce) and it’s a great dinner.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

I have an event (not a date) tonight, and that always poses an important question. (Side note: Brenda Starr was a goddess.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I didn’t have a date for tonight, so I’ll just offer this appropriate bit of food humor.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I THOUGHT I recognized our BBQ-joint destination (remember The Bungalow?). The Stellar Hog has retained that excellent South City hoosier vibe. More important, they deliver stellar pork, as advertised. I snagged a whole rack + creamy mac’n’cheese + THE best pork’n’beans I’ve had since I was little.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

My buddy Kevin took me to Basil India and HOW was I unaware?!? I treated myself to the Bombay Chicken Curry, and it’s everything you’d want: generous tender chicken, warm spices, and that touch of heat just short of eye-watering. I’ll be back when my usual date comes home from Italy!

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Date night at El Molino del Sureste, where dishes are both authentic and exacting in their determination to source ingredients within 100 miles. We shared the kaaxil sikil snd the todtada de tzik de jaiba, after which i snarked the taco de cochinita pibil and the taco de pic chuc.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Seems legit. Randomly, St. Louis used to be called the westernmost Eastern city, while Kansas City was called the easternmost Western city.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

For those who think that my sole diet is Ed’s gourmet dinners and exotic STL restaurants. (Note that the chocolate shake is the original and THE only acceptable flavor.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Well, to be fair, he’s not lying.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Trump is a visual learner. He’s said he likes maps. He sees the territory Putin controls. He sees that if he absorbs Canada and Greenland, he’ll have as much land as Russia. As with his electoral maps, he doesn’t understand that more square miles don’t equal more supporters.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Personal review of Nuts.com: Cashews / pistachios are great — fresh and flavorful. The “corn nuts” are NOT what you’re expecting — practically corn dust instead of the traditional giant kernels. Virginia Peanuts are just … peanuts. VPs are very specific: extra large and whole. These were neither.

nuts.com

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Nuts.com is a family-owned business offering the highest quality nuts, snacks, dried fruit and pantry staples at home, in the office and on-the-go!

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Going to Costco for gas is really just an excuse for lunch at Soup Dumplings STL. It’s both at-table entertainment (grab dumpling, tear a small hole, empty soup onto spoon, drink soup, dunk dumpling and eat) but it’s also a way to slow down at mealtime.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

While Ed is in Bologna, I’m taking the opportunity to catch up with friends at favorite restaurants. My first stop was Esca with my longtime girlfriend. Great cocktails, delicious artichoke starter, Jeri’s grilled Spanish octopus, and my grilled Sicilian salsiccia. Fantastic evening all around.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

@cristela.bsky.social So moved by your @nicollewallace.bsky.social chat about moving from a “cozy” (all Latino) neighborhood to being “the Latina” later. It’s important. My partner and I could move to an all-gay enclave in Palm Springs or Wilton Manors, but it’s important to represent in St. Louis.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Ed’s month in Italy starts Friday, but mentally he’s almost there. So, a steaming pot of ribollita — Tuscan veg and bean soup with day-old-bread croutons and a sprinkling of Parmesan plus good olive oil.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Quick lunch amidst errands, and Sando Shack was fast and delicious: Deep-fried thin chicken or pork katsu on toasty bread with bright slaw and savory-sweet sauce. (In Japan, it’s served on milk bread, but [1] no one makes it here because it’s too hard and [2] when toasted, it doesn’t matter.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

I’m embarrassed that we need @marcelias.bsky.social to defend our state for us. But needs must.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

… and if you are a very VERY good boy, Ed makes you Coquilles Saint Jacques, loaded with scallops, Gruyère, cremini mushrooms, and cream, flavored with curry, cognac, and a bit of parsley. (No, we did NOT poach the gratin dishes from Café de Flore - 25 years ago they had a tiny shop out back.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

So sad that we’ve lost Claudia Cardinale, who was a much better actress than she was given credit for and (like most European beauties) was deeply misused in American films. Check out her appearances in The Leopard, 8 1/2, and (especially) Once Upon a Time in the West. #ClaudiaCardinale

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

And if you are a VERY good boy, you get Ed’s tender, spicy polpette over Italian spaghetti. (Yes, we know that large meatballs with pasta is strictly an American thing, but it’s SO good.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

St. Louis peeps: If you feel that, as an adult, you have the capability to decide whether to watch Jimmy Kimmel, watch another channel, or just go to bed, call the ABC30 general manager at 414-259-5727, (Note the lack of a 314 or even a 573 area code.)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

At last I’ve made my re-entry into the world (see last post) so of COURSE it had to be at Crown Candy Kitchen and of COURSE I had to order the BLT. (Note that there’s just enough L and T to qualify.) Thanks to our dear friends Andy and Sherri Karandzieff for making us so welcome. #eatlocalstl

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

STL peeps: Tough 7 weeks (surgery, infection, recovery, worse infection, ER, hospital, longer recovery) BUT ready for prime time. Here’s where YOU come in: Ed will be in Italy for October and I would love to meet you for lunch/dinner in STL. Dutch treat. DM to set up a meet (don’t reply here)

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

@ksdknews.bsky.social SHAME on you for kowtowing and using phrases like “The Deartment of War”. I expected better from you. Apparently not.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

@miafarrow.bsky.social I thought you could use some good news, so please note that @tcmtv.bsky.social is running an entire night (Monday) of the Tarzan movies starring your mom. I hope you can take some time out to enjoy with your grandchildren.

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John Brase @johnbrase.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

@mollyjongfast.bsky.social I have this theory that the White House keeps a “recipe box” like my mom’s: some little tin or plastic concern with 3x5 cards — but instead of recipes, the cards say things like “raid Bolton’s house” or “arrange Putin meeting” — things to be used when the news cycle turns.

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