Hello dear readers. In case you’ve been missing me around town—I just wanted to let you know I haven’t dropped out of the wine and dine circuit—I’ve only popped over to my old hometown of Cambridge, MA for a gulp of fresh air (my, it’s genuinely refreshing to breath this stuff, I think it might even be good for you) and a bite of organic food, and superb cooking from, yes, you guessed it, my mom.

Well, not just one bite, my mom never cooks in small portions… One of the things I love best about being in the U.S. (besides those friendly smiles, green (and empty!) parks, and lack of constant construction): the supermarkets! I can spend hours in these places! And how they’ve changed since I was a kid. Even the mainstream supermarkets these days are just crammed with organic fruits and veggies, free range chickens and grass-fed beef. It’s a sight to behold.

I spent about 3 hours just wandering the aisles, the butcher shop, the produce section, the salad bar, the bakery and yes, the free cheese sampling station, at the Whole Foods market not far from my house. Gorgeous stuff (though plenty pricey). The displays are awesomely elaborate, mountains of perfectly polished apples in every shade, hand-printed signs in curving calligraphy, charming package designs from hundreds of small boutique food-producers--the place is like a museum of food. And especially after shopping at the wet market by my house in Shanghai, or the sad sorry sack of a supermarket called Lianhua, which is around the corner from me on Wuxing Lu, the overwhelming food artistry in the markets in Cambridge is truly delightful. Just last night we had organic roast potatos with a really luscious lemony and peppery free-range chicken (the meat is quite different, both more moist and having greater integrity, it doesn't fall apart like cardboard with you bake it for a long time), we also had sauteed organic cabbage and carrots, and finished it off with a tart I baked for my dad: whole wheat pie pastry filled with a ricotta and citrus creamy filling. Yumminess!--especially when shared with my family who I miss so much when I'm back at my Shanghai home.

So, while I’m away from the exploding (imploding?) star of culinary adventures that is Shanghai, feel free to comment or email me with your latest dining thoughts, newly-discovered yummy cafe, or just a shout-out to your dining columnist! Ciao, and see you soon.