What’s a trip to Europe about if not the food? Everything you hear about European cuisine is true – it is delicious, it’s beautiful, and it’s an event in itself!
Today I want to tell you about eating my way through Europe – beginning in Italy.
Eating My Way Through Europe – Italy
We had several wonderful culinary experiences in Italy – beginning in Venice! To enjoy Venice, one should be open to enjoying food offered by the many food stands in the city, as well as the sit-down restaurants. At the stands, you can enjoy everything from pasta to fish to cheese and bread.
Then there are the bistro-type cafes that offer a sampling of many different dishes. Most often referred to as cicchetti (pronounced chee-KET-tee), this is Venice’s answer to Spain’s tapas. You can find them at lunch and then in early evening, often accompanied by your choice of Italian wine. It’s a quick, easy and delicious way to nibble as you explore the city. I love the way Rick Steves has described his love for a good Cicchetti Pub Crawl.
We ate at Bacaromi, the little cicchetti bistro/restaurant that was adjacent to the Hilton Molino Stucky, and we loved it! I had the risotto, which was extremely tasty, and everyone enjoyed their dishes.
Here is their Salt Cod Stewed with Lagoon Shells…
I was even able to enjoy dessert there – a yummy flourless chocolate cake with berry sauce, senza glutine!
Also worthwhile are the many restaurants that spill from inside to the cafe tables outside. You’ll find these everywhere – even in Saint Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco. Caffé Lavena is famous for their signature yellow chairs… catch them in movies, such as The Italian Job!
My daughter (left) with yours truly!
Another restaurant we especially enjoyed was Trattoria Nero di Seppia in TripAdvisor, it is incomparable in it’s cuisine and hospitality! We were attended by one of the proprietors, who patiently covered the various offerings on the menu, and pointed out the local wines. She spoke very good English, which is why she was chosen to serve us, I suspect!
My entrée was the fried fish and vegetables, which is evidently always prepared gluten free. And, while I wasn’t expecting a plate full of small WHOLE fish, prawns and calamari, I must say it was VERY delicious!! The veggies are zucchini and eggplant. Y’all! I’d love to have that again!!
Again, I was able to order a gluten free dessert – the chocolate mousse. Mmmmm. No words necessary!
And what would any discussion of food in Italy be without the topic of that wonderfully smooth concoction called gelato? It simply means ‘frozen’ in Italian, but it’s way more than that! Not quite ice cream, not quite sorbet, it’s the creamiest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Once you taste it you have a really hard time not stopping at each little gelato shop just to check out the inventive flavors!
One of my daughters and I enjoying our gelato on the streets of Venice!
To say the food in Italy is amazing is an understatement. The Europeans know how to enjoy their food – and there are abundant opportunities to do just that! We’ll be traveling to Croatia next as we eat our way though Europe!
See you then,
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