by Roberta Murphy Thompson
Last night, Steve and I invited friends over to share a story and a pasta dinner we brought back from Florence, Italy. Well, not exactly the whole dinner, but a Florence adventure that included a kilo of handmade fettuccine and a pan of onion and cheese stuffed raviolis that we transported from Florence back to Reno in a suitcase. Sauces, salad and asparagus sides were made in our own kitchen. It was a fun evening for us to share with two great couples: Trish and Peter + Karen and Steve.
Regrettably, I can’t share the wonderful dinner with you–but here’s the story of our Florence adventure.
Hubby Steve Thompson manufactures medical research equipment and has clients scattered all over the world. The real purpose of our trip to Europe started in Zagreb, Croatia where he had equipment to install. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. It was so clean and we felt safe everywhere we walked. The next stop was in Italy, where he has other clients using his equipment. After a couple of days, we ended up in Florence–at the beautiful and relatively small Messori Suites. I believe there are only 9 rooms, all beautifully appointed.
We were greeted by Sergio Tortiglione when we arrived and were impressed with his full and kind service. He offered a couple of Florence restaurant suggestions–and suggested we try a glass of beautiful Italian wine in the private lounge area. We followed his advice on all counts, including his recommended sights to see on our long walk to dinner. The real fun, and the point of this story, began as we were walking back to Messori Suites.
I love food and stopped short at a restaurant window that had on display a variety of beautiful dried pastas, including the black pasta colored by squid ink. Steve was equally intrigued, so we both entered the small and very aromatic Florence cafe. Frederico, the apparent manager, greeted us like old friends and invited us back to the kitchen area. There we met the chef, whom I will call Mama Mia. She spoke little English, but that was not necessary.
Frederico interpreted and said they wanted to “give” us some beautiful pastas which we could easily bring home. But before showing us anything, Frederico insisted on pouring small glasses of Limoncello for us to enjoy. Followed by refills…plus another. And Steve was his new best friend. And I had two new BFF’s.
Mama Mia offered three large pans of pasta: One a spinach fettuccine, another an onion and cheese stuffed raviolis and the third a seafood ravioli. I was concerned about them surviving the long trip home–especially the seafood dish. Over their arguments, I declined the seafood ravioli, knowing it would never survive the journey. The others could be frozen and would likely make it home.
To make up for the lost dish. Frederico pushed a bottle of wine into Steve’s arms. And then handed him a bill for 130 Euros. With amazing grace and humor, Steve paid him. And with much Italian grace, Frederico invited us to sit down with him and share a Tomohawk steak with him. Already full from dinner and a bit giddy from all the Limoncello, we graciously declined–and walked away laughing.
Carrying a kilo or so of pastas and a bottle of Italian wine.
And yes, the pasta made it home in delicious fashion and provided a basis for a fun Italian dinner that happened to also include Limoncello. And as sometimes happens, the story of our Florence adventure was almost as rich as the dinner.
