Venice Again

I fell in love with Venice on our first trip in 2014.  She's like a siren that seduces you and claims you, and then you belong to her.  I wanted to come back and see it again while I could still walk.  We are getting a bit older, and Venice, well, she's a bit rough on the feet.  It was just as beautiful and magical as I remembered.

A rare moment when the sun shines on St. Mark's golden mosaics.  It lasted but a moment, and we were able to enjoy it sitting in the Piazza San Marco, at Caffè Quadri — established in 1775 (way before I was born), while sipping on a glass of Pinot Grigio as the orchestra played Massenet's Thaïs Meditation.  Magic.

Food picks in the shape of gondola iron prows.  Then after some snacks, we had dinner inside the restaurant — Ristorante Caffè Quadri, one of the gems of this old piazza.

We began with Buffalo Mozzarella with Fresh Tomato and Calabrian Oregano.  First, they drizzled the mozzarella generously with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, then they took a bundle of oregano with tiny leaves that looked like thyme, and shook it all over the mozzarella.  What a cool presentation!  And then, of course, came the slices of cured ham from Parma.  It's true that the simplest foods taste the best.

Then, for Lee, Lasagnetta alla Bolognese . . .

And for me, Pumpkin and Truffle Risotto with extra shavings of white truffles.  The waiter practically genuflected when he mentioned the white truffles.  I couldn't disappoint him. 

After an exhausting day of travel, we ended our first day with a short walk around Piazza San Marco, and then turned in for the night.