Last night's Taste of the Town, featuring 15 restaurants/caterers from Lowell and beyond showcased what this blogger has always known: the MV is not a gormand wasteland. You know you've eaten well when you wake up feeling great the next day. The Sox world series sweep might have something to do w/ it, but I'll leave that to the sports blog. I was most impressed by Bella Italia’s chicken and pasta spread (see pix). This Tyngs. find has been serving up savory Marsala, pasta and, I can only imagine, other great Italian staples, for 12 years. Who knew? Lots of you apparently. Next time the craving for italiano, red wine and sauce hits, I know where I'm headed. It's in the shadow of Olive Garden and Carrabbas, which makes me want to visit the independent spot all the more. I enjoyed chatting w/ the Brew House staff who said their new chef Mike Cusanos, of Cusanos Italian Kitchen in Tewks., has taken over the kitchen. He's added pizza and, judging by last night's offering, some juicy prime rib. Infusion's Bistro in Chelms. was a notable no-show. Weird. I talked to owner Phil Proulx last week and he was gung-ho about the deconstructed clam chowder he was to feature. Maybe he got caught up in Sox fever. Mirabella Bakery in Tewks. rolled out the cupcakes, pumpkin no less, and Mambo Grill served tequila chocolate bread pudding! GG was too late to try the decadance, as the jovial crowd scarfed it down. The pork tenderloin and squash from Westford Grille won points for seasonality, my piece was a tad fatty, but Gourmet Guy gave his a forks up. Heard a new taco place is opening on Merrimack Street, across from Mambo Grill (which owner Frank Descoteaux was fretting about). She doesn’t have to worry, esp. if tequila pudding becomes a menu mainstay. Great new upstart Cafe Madrid has the nicest owners. They were making strawberry crepes alongside spicey paella, strange fusion, but both bites were so well-executed we refuse to be snarky. God I’m full.