The cedar imparts a woodsy essence. A perfectionist about ingredients, Whitmore buys most of his meats from Martin or from Joe's Acorn Market on Federal Hill. He broadens his knowledge of wines by talking with the experts at Gasbarro's on Federal Hill and Haxton's Liquors on Bald Hill Road, Warwick. The Wine Spectator is my bible. Among Whitmore's specialties is chicken in a creamy paprika sauce.
Handmade gnocchi is another favorite.
My grandmother's mother was from the Piedmonte region of Italy. I used to get kidded, but a lot of the guys have been to the house for dinner. They like it when I serve a filet with mashed potatoes. At that time, he lived with several teammates. Someone had to cook, or you'd starve.