Q. I’m looking for a nice cookie to bring to a tea party. Most of the ladies attending aren’t necessarily health conscious, so it has to be a cookie that will go over with that group as well. Thanks in advance!

We now have a new commander in chief, and in the days leading up to the inauguration, I received e-mails from various wine Web sites touting the picks for the vino being served at the various functions.

Want to travel to Emilia-Romagna in Italy, known for its hearty country-style food? Well, who doesn’t? But if it’s not in the budget right now, there is always the monthly regional dining promotion at Sergio’s Italian Restaurant. This month, chef Alfredo Lee visits Emilia-Romagna with dishes such as cappelletti di spinaci, pasta rings filled with spinach and ricotta; strozzapreti con vongole, hand-rolled pasta with clams; contro filetto di manzo alla piacentina, strip loin with mustard seeds and brandy cream.

A roaring comeback it was not. But at least Sunday’s Oscars stemmed the viewer flight of recent years and managed better in the ratings than last year’s all-time low.