I recently lost a friend. Joe Attanasio was 89 and led an exceptional life until the end. The hundreds who attended his funeral mass were the richer for having known him. Joe was a a lifeforce, a mensch, a legendary kibitzer. That’s yiddish for someone who loves to chat and be social. His joy was to draw people out, get to know them, make them laugh and give advice. Our relationship took place in the boundaries of his son Paul’s kitchen where I made many meals for the family for more than a decade. Joe would arrive at the house and after making a cocktail would ease onto one of the stools surrounding the island....Continue reading »