Defending Fresno

I felt compelled to write after reading “Straight From the Farm” [Sept. 22] by Russ Parsons. He criticized Fresno again and again, referring to it as a “culinary desert” and describing the difficulties of operating a classy establishment like Echo in such a hick town.

I lived in Fresno most of my life. I think part of Echo’s appeal is its Central Valley location. If it were in L.A. or the Bay Area, it might be just another tiny blip on California’s vast epicurean radar screen.

Dianne Keeney

San Diego