John Mariani - The Virtual Gourmet
Besides reporting for Celebrating Act 2™, John Mariani is the author of over a dozen books. While many are about Food and Travel, his work also includes a few novels, some of which have been serialized in Mariani’s popular Virtual Gourmet Newsletter.
He also hosts a weekly radio show on WVOX Radio (click image below) talking with a wide variety of fascinating guests.
You can learn more about John as well as contact him and subscribe to John’s FREE Newsletter about food and travel, The Virtual Gourmet, by going to his website: JohnMariani.com
Meanwhile, enjoy the many videos (below) he has done with Celebrating Act 2!
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Tour BROOKLYN’s CLASSIC CUISINE
When 3 native New Yorker’s get together to talk food –even if 2 of them are on the West Coast ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: A look at LONG ISLAND and Regional Wines
When the subject turned to explore the wineries of Long Island NY our expert food and travel contributor, John Mariani, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: You Got MEATBALLS!
Ubiquitous as they are, meatballs were not always considered socially acceptable for upper crust cuisine! John Mariani takes us through ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: The Historic LAMB’s CLUB is Alive Again!
The virtual Gourmet, John Mariani takes us for a review of a vaunted old NYC club which has been reopened ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Hotel Dining – Trends & Quality
Just because a large hotel has a good reputation and is well known, does that somehow convince you their main ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Old School Italian
Italian food may be the most common cuisine in the US but how much of it is REAL Italian? Food ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: SummerTravel Tips
While it’s the most popular time to travel, SUMMER can also be the worst time. world traveler, travel and food ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Suburban Dining
Are all the good restaurants to be found ONLY ‘downtown’ in the heart of a large city? Food and Travel ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: the 10 Commandments of GRILLING
As Co-Author of the best selling “GRILLING for DUMMIES”, food and travel writer John Mariani, shares his ’10 commandments for ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Louisville, KY Part 2- Great Food & Bourbon
In this second video on Louisville, Travel and Food Writer (and the publisher of The Virtual Gourmet) John Mariani, takes ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Louisville KY, a Vibrant City!
As a world traveler, John Mariani has seen it all and now raves about Louisville KY, a city that was ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Dining Around London
As the publisher of weekly newsletter, The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani has among his contributing writers, Las Vegas lawyer and ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Food Regs OVERKILL!
While Food heath and safety regulations serve a good purpose, the question is, are they too strict? Our Celebrating Act ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Do Wine Tastings Make Sense?
Food and travel writer, John Mariani, discusses the various ways which wine sellers (including restaurants) try to sell more wine, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Dining Industry Update -US is Doing Well
As discussed in this video, the dining industry in the US has had to adapt to the reality of COVID ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: NYC Steakhouses & BENJAMIN’s
NYC can still claim a large number of truly great steakhouses…even though times have changed as Food & Travel writer, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Why Recommending Restaurants is FUTILE!
A professional Food & Travel writer often gets asked for recommendations. But John Mariani, publisher of the Virtual Gourmet newsletter ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Update on the World of FINE DINING
Has high-end Fine Dining survived the restrictions of COVID in the last few years? Noted food & travel writer, John ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Is Wine Now Only For OLD FOLKS?
Despite the rich tradition and history of wine, each generation moves to establish its own tastes. As John Mariani, publisher ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: About Indian Cuisine
Indian Food is one of the more popular ethnic cuisines in the US. But, as respected Food & Travel Writer, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: BREADS- Important to Fine Dining?
Breads, rolls, etc are often the first thing on the table–but other than a warm welcome, how important is this ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Is the Michelin Guide BIASED?
As a world-respected Food & Travel writer, John Mariani certainly knows the culinary and travel landscape covered by the venerable ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: John’s Online Novel, “Going After Harry Lime”
While Celebrating Act 2™ considers John Mariani their Food and Travel Expert, they also are proud to be associated with ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Katz’s Famous NY Deli
Being from NYC originally, Art and John of Celebrating Act 2 can’t resist engaging the NY-based Food & Travel writer, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Attention: Wine is CHANGING!
This discussion starts with a comment by the new editor of Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book, a wonderful reference for ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: on Fine Dining at Disney World
After a recent trip to Disney World in Florida, Food and Travel writer John Mariani reports on a surprising aspect ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: TRAVEL UPDATE: Holiday Travel & DISNEY World
Respected Food & Travel writer, John Mariani, reports on the state of air travel leading into the 2022 Holiday season ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: All About Dessert Wines
Particularly in warmer weather we often enjoy an after dinner drink of a sweet dessert wine. What is a dessert ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: How Many Restaurants Satisfy a Celebrity Chef?
With the proliferation of Celebrity-Chef-named restaurants, often part of a large multi-city chain or group, the question arises about how ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Pirates, Grog and Holiday Punch!
Even if you don’t subscribe to “Talk Like A Pirate Day” you may wonder what the Pirate’s legendary drink, GROG ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Culinary KUDOS to YALE U. Food Service
As a Food and Travel writer, John Mariani does more than just review restaurants. In this video he shares his ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Sustainability in the Hotel and Restaurant Business
The trend toward ‘Sustainability’ is gaining ground in the Food and Hospitality sector according to renowned Travel & Food Critic ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: What makes a Master Bartender?
Food and travel writer, John Mariani, publisher of the weekly newsletter, The Virtual Gourmet, never holds back on his opinion ...
Is there such a thing as the “A” Table?
Will slipping the maitre d a tip get you a better table? Is it myth or is there any truth ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: His Radio Show is Eclectic and Fun!
Besides running his free weekly newsletter, The Virtual Gourmet, and writing books, John Mariani also does a weekly radio show ...
John Mariani’s The Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink, a valuable and entertaining resource!
Not only the publisher of the weekly (Free) newsletter, The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani is the author of more than ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: The state of Sustainable Seafood
With changes in the oceans, pollution, over fishing and climate change among other issues, the question arises about just how ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Don’t Miss Charming Galway!
Food writer, author, Publisher of The Virtual Gourmet, and world traveler, John Mariani, continues his stories and advice about visiting ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Update 2022: The State of Air Travel
World traveler, John Mariani, discusses the state of Airline travel today–mid year 2022– and it’s not good. He goes through ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Dublin’s Best Restaurants
Our world class traveler, John Mariani, publisher of the Virtual Gourmet Newsletter, knows how to enjoy the best any city ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Sites to See In Dublin
In previous shows, John Mariani has shared secrets of the best hotels and restaurants in one of his favorite cities, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: The TRUTH About Kobe Beef!
Is everything they say about KOBE Beef true? And what’s Wagyu ? Why is it so expensive…and what are we ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Eat As The Romans Do!
As a visitor to Rome, you don’t have to fall into the trap of eating only large tourist meals of ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Dublin’s Wonderful Hotels
While not outrageously large, Dublin has a plethora of fine hotels for its size according to Food and Travel Expert ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: This is the Golden Age for Irish Cuisine!
Irish Food has never had a good reputation until recently! Now it is getting well-deserved praise according to famous Food ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Visit Ireland NOW!
Internationally known food and travel expert John Mariani, publisher of “The Virtual Gourmet” newsletter shares stories of his recent trip ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Defending Beef Eating
In a recent article for FORBES, for which he is a regular contributor, Food and Travel Writer John Mariani took ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: My First Post-Covid Trip to Europe
Despite being a Food & Travel reporter, John, like most people, limited his travel severely during the Covid Pandemic. Now ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: on His Serialized Novel, “Another Vermeer”
Besides being a food and travel writer, John Mariani is a novelist. Among his 12 books are at least 4 ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Childhood Tastes Do certain foods snap you back to a distinct childhood memory?
Are there some things you cannot eat as an adult because of a bad childhood experience? Food and Travel Writer, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Great Moments In Italian Food
The author of at least 3 books on Italian food (among the dozen + he’s written) John Mariani takes a ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Hemingway, the Connoisseur & Gourmand
One of the world’s great writers, Ernest Hemingway, was known for his inclusion of food and wine in his writing ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: New Trends for 2022
What can we expect for year 2022 when it comes to food, drink and restaurants? Food & Travel writer and ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Can Chefs Really Claim to “BUY ONLY THE BEST”?
Food and Travel expert, John Mariani, publisher of “The Virtual Gourmet” newsletter wants truth in advertising from chefs and restaurateurs ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Global Warming Is Affecting Vineyards!
As a veteran wine and food writer, John Mariani, publisher of “The Virtual Gourmet” newsletter keeps abreast of wine production ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: American Culture for Visitors to Big US Cities
You don’t have to be a foreigner to be shocked at the difference in prices–and culture– in America’s large cities! ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Is There a Perfect Hamburger?
It is almost universally accepted that the Hamburger is America’s favorite food! John Mariani takes us through the good and ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet: CHAZZ Palminteri
The Restaurant & The Actor Our virtual Gourmet promises more than a restaurant review in this video. In discussing the ...
John Mariani’s Radio Show, “Almost Golden”
Despite having been published in newspapers and top magazines internationally for decades, as well as his own popular online newsletter, ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Gifts for the Host of A Dinner Party
Whether it’s a holiday get together, a dinner among friends or a special occasion, It’s always a good idea to ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet: Food & Drink of JAMES BOND
No one appreciates the legendary excellent taste in food and adult beverages of 007 than the Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: Origins of Classic American Dishes!
OK, Sure, Buffalo wings originated in Buffalo–but Which restaurant? And what’s the story behind them? The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani, ...
John Mariani The Virtual Gourmet: Travel to France NOW but See the Whole Country!
World Traveler John Mariani recommends visiting France again–COVID restrictions have lessened and tourism is low. Watch as John explains all ...
John Mariani, The Virtual Gourmet: New England Travel–MYSTIC, Connecticut
Looking for some scenic fall travel in the Northeast? Travel and Food writer John Mariani tells Celebrating Act 2™ about ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet: Great Wines for Great Autumn Meals!
Fall seems to bring more holidays that are celebrated as FEASTS than any other time of the year! Celebrating Act ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet: Tipping, a U.S. Phenomenon
It’s controversial, and it’s unique to the U.S.! So Why do we do it? What’s a ‘fair’ tip and does ...
What Customers Should Know Before Criticizing a Restaurant POST-Pandemic!
It’s more than about good manners–it’s a discussion about just how demanding and critical a customer should be, really at ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet: Favorite Fall Foods
Art Kirsch and John Coleman of Celebrating Act 2™ get special contributor, John Mariani of the Virtual Gourmet, to discuss ...
Why Restaurants Need Critics More Than Ever!
The COVID Pandemic has changed many things for the food and hospitality industry. The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani, looks at ...
A Labor Day Salute to Food Service Workers!
On the appropriate occasion of LABOR DAY, food and travel writer John Mariani who publishes the Virtual Gourmet newsletter, joins ...
The Virtual Gourmet Explains TRUE TAPAS
Dining A fun, popular and delicious dining experience is often the way a TAPAS restaurant is described. John Mariani, publisher ...
The Virtual Gourmet Asks: Are American’s Intimidated by Fine Dining?
Are we just a more casual society or are Americans actually intimidated by all the trappings of a FINE DINING ...
The VIrtual Gourmet, John Mariani, on Chilling Wine!
Should your wine be served chilled or at room temperature? John Mariani, internationally known food & travel writer and publisher ...
John Mariani, The VIrtual Gourmet, on BBQ Styles & Myths!
Yes there are many varieties of BBQ sauces and styles and quite a few false ideas have cropped up about ...
John Mariani’s 2nd Online Novel, “Capone’s Gold’
Celebrating Act 2™’s contributing expert for Food & Travel, John Mariani, is also an author with over a dozen books ...
10 Things Airlines MUST Change After The Pandemic
As the COVID Pandemic slowly recedes due to vaccines, more people are beginning to use air travel again. Celebrating Act ...
What’s Up? A Big Deal NY Restaurant Goes Vegan
It made big news when NYC’s famous fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park announced it was going completely plant-based and ...
What’s With All The Famous Absentee Chefs?
Does anybody really expect to be greeted by a world famous chef at one of the many restaurants in his ...
Italian Trattoria vs Pizzeria
What can you expect at a good Italian Trattoria…and what’s the difference between that and a Pizzeria? The Virtual Gourmet, ...
What Defines A French Bistro?
Lots of restaurants in the US use the name, ‘Bistro’, but are they? Celebrating Act 2™’s knowledgeable Food & Travel ...
Have Italian Wine Laws Become A Farce?
Have Italian Wine Laws Become A Farce? We all know that wine production in places like Italy and France are ...
Does Today’s Food MEDIA Demonize Food with P.C.?
Since Covid-19 has turned the world of dining upside down we wonder what the Food Media is doing! our expert ...
How NOT to Get Sick while Traveling!
Who would know better how to avoid getting sick while abroad than world traveler, food and travel writer, John Mariani, ...
Irish Cuisine?
Why don’t we see Irish restaurants like we do Italian, Thai or other ethnic cuisines? Food and Travel writer and ...
INSIDE the Virtual Gourmet Newsletter
Publisher and head writer for the popular newsletter on food and travel, The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani shares the inside ...
All About Bolognese!…And Lasagna!
Maybe the most popular sauce in the well-loved repertoire of Italian cooking…respected Food and Travel writer, John Mariani, sets the ...
Favorite Destinations After the Pandemic
Always a mindful traveler, John Mariani still loves the adventure–maybe more so since being restricted by COVID-19. The famous food ...
All About Pizza
So you think you know about the ubiquitous American food, Pizza? Is it really Italian or was it created in ...
Now On the Radio: John Mariani
Food and Travel writer and publisher of the newsletter, Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani, turns his hand to a new medium: ...
How to Save $$ on Vacation Meals
We all know how easy it is to go over budget while on vacation! Travel and Food Writer, John Mariani, ...
Do Corporate Restaurant Groups Offer Better Quality?
We’ve all seen a high-end restaurant with the name of a famous chef emblazoned upon it, knowing it is one ...
Fun Quotes On Food & Wine
Whether you want to be pretentious or erudite or just entertaining, it’s always fun to have a famous quote about ...
Cajun vs Creole Cuisine??
New Orleans is the home to two great regional cuisines: Cajun and Creole …Or is it? What’s the difference between ...
Best Food Movies
As a food & restaurant writer and publisher of The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani would of course have an opinion ...
Champagne vs Sparkling Wine
On holidays many folks will opt to celebrate with Champagne…and certainly it’s considered the standard at weddings and other events ...
The Movies and Wine Of Francis Ford Coppola
Join this freewheeling discussion about both the wines and movies of celebrated director, Francis Ford Coppola. Lots of interesting facts ...
Brown Spirits-Whiskey, Scotch, Etc.
What’s the difference between Whiskey, Bourbon and Scotch? Food and travel writer John Mariani, respected publisher of The VIrtual Gourmet ...
Las Vegas Update
Celebrating Act 2™’s founders, Art Kirsch and John Coleman, ask regular contributor John Mariani, (food and travel writer and editor ...
Seasonal Wines
We ask our favorite wine and food critic about ‘seasonal’ wines. Are they just marketing hype? And especially about Beaujolais ...
European Travel Restrictions
Covid-19 has affected the whole world, especially travel. Europe in many ways has fared better than the US, but that ...
Boston Dining Update
Of course no destination remains the same…and every city’s dining and entertainment scene has been affected by the pandemic restrictions ...
Reasons NOT to AGE YOUR WINE
The Virtual Gourmet, John Mariani, is always happy to dispel myths about food and wine for our Celebrating Act 2™ ...
How Italian Food Conquered the World
Ever notice how Italian cuisine seems to be everywhere–and the most popular! Why is that? Food and Travel writer, John ...
About Detroit!
One of America’s great cities has fallen on hard times–and not just because of COVID-19. Food and Travel expert, John ...
See The USA…Travel Regionally!
Veteran Food and Travel writer, John Mariani of the Virtual Gourmet newsletter (free), says we don’t have to give up ...
Eating In Parking Lots
With a new round of restrictions on restaurants due to COVID-19 many places are allowed only to serve food outside ...
Travel Writing -The Mariani Touch
Writer John Mariani has been writing professionally about Food and Travel–and much more –for well over 20 years. As a ...
Develop Your Wine Palate- Start Here!
Food and Travel writer, John Mariani talks with Celebrating Act 2™’s Art Kirsch and John Coleman about the idea of ...
Wine Myths Which Waste Time & Money
Based on his article in Mariani’s Virtual Gourmet newsletter, Food and Travel writer John Mariani shares three of the ten ...
NYC – Best Food City In the World!
As a professional Food and Travel writer, who is also a regular contributor to Celebrating Act 2, John Mariani has ...
Love & Pizza – The Book
Yes, we love food–including pizza–and yes, romance often revolves around subtle, sensual acts like eating….Which is one reason why John ...
Americas Cuisine:The Gift of Immigrants
As America is a land of immigrants, so too our cuisine is as varied and diverse as our population’s origins ...
How to Read A Wine Label
Like John Coleman, co-founder of Celebrating Act 2™, many of us wine drinkers may know what we like but don’t ...
The Future of Restaurants After COVID-19
While we all wonder what the ‘New Normal’ will look like after the COVID-19 Crisis ends, many have predicted the ...
Menu Collection Reflects History & Culture
Food and Travel writer John Mariani has been collecting menus from great restaurants he has reviewed for over 40 years ...
Great Restaurants Selling Great Wines at Discount!
Can you believe a famous restaurant which can normally sell a great wine from their cellar for well over $100 ...
Are Small Restaurants Hurting The Most?
Food and Travel writer John Mariani knows the restaurant industry inside and out. Small, local ‘Mom & Pop’ restaurants are ...
Travel in the Age of COVID-19
What will we do when travel restrictions imposed because of COVID-19 pandemic are relaxed? John Mariani, noted Food and Travel ...
Get Great Wines at Great Prices, NOW!
Celebrating Act 2™’s Food & Travel contributor, John Mariani, author of the popular weekly newsletter the Virtual Gourmet, explains why ...
Meet Food & Travel Writer, John Mariani of Virtual Gourmet
Celebrating Act 2™ co-founders, Art Kirsch and John Coleman introduce us to regular Contributor, John Mariani, world traveler, columnist and ...
Seafood Myths
It seems there’s more myths surrounding seafood than any other cuisine! Which are true and should be heeded and which ...