Some weeks are a whirlwind, and this one definitely fit the bill. Between work, errands, and life in general, I didn’t have much time to cook—and when I did, the meals were just “okay.” But even in a busy week, a few standout dishes, a great bottle of wine, and a Giada De Laurentiis-inspired recipe managed to shine. Here’s what made the cut.
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Leftovers to Start the Week
Monday and Tuesday were all about simplicity—leftover baked ziti. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated, just classic comfort-food fuel for a packed week. Sometimes leftovers are exactly what life calls for.
By Wednesday, the pattern continued with more easy bites. Busy weeks don’t wait for home-cooked meals, so the theme was: whatever’s on hand, whatever’s quick.
A Midweek Boost at Romanacci
By Thursday, I needed something that felt a little more intentional, so I stopped into Romanacci for their Penne alla Vodka with Chicken. Romanacci is always reliable for bold flavors and generous portions, and this dish hit perfectly—creamy, comforting, and exactly what a long week needed.
Romanacci Trumbull ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friday Night at Testo’s: A Classic Italian Hit
Dinner with friends brought me to Testo’s Restaurant, a longtime local staple known for hearty Italian dishes and old-school warmth. We started with the Clams Casino and Calamari Siciliano, yum. A Manhattan to kick off the nite.
I ordered the Chicken Francese, and it was perfection — tender, lemony, buttery, and served with that unmistakable Testo’s charm. We shared a bottle of Brunello, rich and elegant, and it matched the dish beautifully. An unexpectedly great night.
Testo’s Monroe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Giada Recipe Win: Roman-Style Chicken
On Saturday, I finally carved out time to cook something meaningful—and I chose a recipe from Giada De Laurentiis’ Super Italian cookbook.
From the day Giada De Laurentiis started cooking professionally, her fundamental formula for making meals memorable has not changed: Good Cooking = Technique + Ingredients + Ambience. This same formula is the key to good health when you choose ingredients that promote wellness, cook them simply, and eat them joyfully. In her skillful hands, a pantry of Italian superfoods is the starting point to better health and longevity.
Her Roman-Style One-Pan Chicken with Artichokes is a rustic, homey dish full of depth and warmth. I did make one key change:
Swapped orzo for Arborio rice to make it gluten-free.
Even with the tweak, the dish came out rich and flavorful—proof that simple Italian cooking always adapts beautifully.
Ending the Week How It Started
Sunday circled back to leftovers, which honestly fit the mood of this low-key week. Not every seven days is packed with culinary fireworks—but there are always moments worth appreciating.