Letters to the Editor

Strong, Silent Type
But in the courtroom John de Leon was a brawler: I don't know former ACLU president John de Leon very well, but I met him several times and believed from his quiet, thoughtful demeanor that there was a lot to him. Jacob Bernstein's excellent article ("It Takes a Cuban,"June 14) more than confirmed my belief.

It's great to see the right kind of person get the accolades in this community.

Tom Crumpacker
Miami

Mayor Seeks Visitation Rights
Voters divorce Carollo, fight for custody, demand alimony: No wonder Mari Carollo is shoving out Joe the lout. After reading Robert Andrew Powell's article ("The Mayor, the Wife, the Sexpots," June 7) and seeing the "other women" in Joe Carollo's life (bimbos on parade!), it is clear to eye and instinct that Mari has the most class of all.

It's hard to fathom what she ever saw in Joe, a duplicitous, backstabbing scumbag. (Remember the Maurice Ferré incident? At a press conference in 1983 Carollo was expected to endorse Miami mayoral candidate Ferré. Instead he denounced Ferré as a racist demagogue!)

But don't worry, Joe. You'll always have love from Miami's citizens, the ones you hope to screw over with that 40-year extension of parking fees so billionaire John Henry can have his baseball sandbox to play in. The voters of Miami should divorce you too, Joe.

My only question is to the lovely and beautiful Mari Carollo: What took you so long to throw the asshole out?

Harvey Slavin
Hollywood

Another Proud Graduate of the School for Scandal
Free weekly scribe provokes far-flung rebuke: In which school did Robert Andrew Powell study journalism? I do not know Mr. Carollo, and I do not live in Coconut Grove, but from that article I would say Mr. Powell would be better writing science fiction. What he described happening at Carollo's house that day was a lot of imagination. If Powell or his friends are enemies of Carollo, with this kind of journalism they are doing him a favor rather than something else.

Hector Novoa
Leuven, Belgium

The Food Corner: Fabulous Flapjacks
I strongly suggest you pig out on these peerless pancakes: I just had the pleasure of reading Lee Klein's review of the best pancakes ("The Flapjack Flip-Off,"June 14). In my opinion the best pancakes are found at the Rascal House in Sunny Isles Beach.

While we all know and love the ambiance of the famous landmark, most people go there for lunch or dinner, but the breakfast is awesome. You sit down to a great assortment of little rolls and Danish that you devour along with piping-hot coffee. But you have to remember to leave room for the huge plate of buttery, delicious pancakes. I don't know how they do it, but the pancakes stay steaming-hot until the last bite. The heat stays trapped between the pancakes so every bite is scrumptious. The syrup is pretty standard but it does not detract from the flavor of the pancakes. I recommend it. And go on an empty stomach!

Sandi Siegel
via Internet

The Food Corner: Pasta Plea
What, do I have to go back to Brooklyn for my fix? Regarding Lee Klein's review of Sapori di Roma restaurant ("When in Roma,"May 31), I'd like to throw in my two cents. We moved here New Year's Eve from the Italian section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Now I live across the street from Sapori di Roma. We ate there upon arrival. After a foot of snow wreaked havoc on my move, I was exhausted and ready to attempt a celebration.

Well, I had to chalk up the meager portions, sloppy and slightly smarmy service, disappointing food, and joltingly high prices to New Year's Eve craziness. But we wanted to give a neighborhood joint a chance, so we returned. Mistake. Two pizzas, two salads, four glasses of wine, two small chunks of cheese -- $80! I almost fell out of my chair. Again, the food was just okay, the portions were small, the menu wasn't interesting, and service left a lot to be desired. How can they possibly justify those prices?

I'm used to Bamonte's and Cono & Sons O'Pescatore. On their worst days, anydish at those restaurants is heads and shoulders above the best at Sapori. John Franco, relief pitcher for the Mets, who looks like he should ride his delivery bike to the mound in his kitchen whites, complained that he couldn't get good Italian food once he left New York City. He bought a house in Staten Island just because of the food. Could he be right?

Lee Klein stated at the end of his review: "Truth is I can get superior Italian fare for the same money or less at pasta places right here on the Beach." Where oh where are they? Please help. I'm starving!

Lisa Ivers
Miami Beach

The Food Corner: Roman Rebuttal
If you can't think Italian, at least write Italian: I'm sorry, but Lee Klein doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm Italian from Rome, and Sapori di Roma is one of the most original restaurants in Miami.

First of all, Klein should learn to write Italian. It's not linguini but linguine. Then he suggested oregano on the puttanesca? Never heard of something like that in my whole life.