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Giada invites some of her family members to help her cook some of her favorite recipes from growing up in Rome . Giada and her aunt debate the finer points of pancetta and wine sauce in Bucatini all'Amatriciana while enjoying Fritto Misto with a lemon mayonnaise as they cook. The classic Roman dishes turn out superbly and the cooks have a great time. See more episodes from her new show on Saturdays at 1 pm and Mondays at 4:30 on the Food Network .

San Francisco got a taste of Italy today when Giada came to Williams-Sonoma in Union Square. The Modern Traveler braved the two hour line to meet Giada and get her newest cookbook, Giada's Kitchen , signed. Giada is just as fabulous in person as she is on television-and even more personable. Find out when Giada is coming to your town !

Giada de Laurentiis has her own website and social network: giadadelaurentiis.com . Among the event calendar, blogs and occasional recipes are Giada's worldwide favorite restaurants and hotels. Naturally, the Modern Traveler is most interested in her Roman favorites . Three hotels that Giada recommends are the Hotel de Russie , Grand Hotel de la Minerve (near the Pantheon ) and the Boscolo Hotel Exedra (Piazza della Reppublica). Her restaurant choices are even more interesting. For cafe life and excellent pastries, she recommends Caffe Greco on the Via Condotti. Ciampini is her choice for gelato and chocolate croissants, and Gusto makes her list for pizza and antipasti. Giada is never wrong when it comes to food, so Buon Appetito!

If you missed Giada de Laurentiis' specials on recipes from her hometown this past May and July, you can get the recipes on the Food Network's website. The two episodes featured recipes from her childhood in Rome, including deep-fried artichokes and gnocchi and swordfish with citrus pesto inspired by the lemon trees growing in the backyard of her family home. For more recipes based on Roman standards and Italian favorites, see the Food Network on-line or watch her show, Everyday Italian , weekdays at 4:30 pm EST. A new show, Giada at Home , premieres October 18 at 1:00 pm, and will feature Giada's expansion into cuisines other than Italian.

Yes, you love her recipes-but it's really her cute smile and sense of style that make you such a fan! Well, you have the chance to meet Giada in the flesh-she's going on a tour to promote her new cookbook, Giada's Kitchen , which was just released today. Check her website for the calendar of her book signing appearances and get your copy of the book signed by Giada herself!