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Published: March 7th 2018
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The weather has been so miserable the past few days that Dee and I have felt a bit like penguins stranded on an ice floe! Although the temperatures have been well above freezing, the incessant showers, rain and gusty winds have discouraged us from venturing more than a few blocks from our apartment.
In fact, with the exception of brief visits to the weekly vegetable market, and nearby grocery store, our only contact with the outside world has been from the balcony and the internet (no English-speaking channels available on the cable TV service in our apartment).
Yesterday afternoon, however, we took advantage of a lull in the rainfall to explore the Georges Vallet Archaeological Museum inside of the Villa Fondi across the street. This smallish museum, spread over two levels, is the first territorial archaeological museum of the Sorrento peninsula. Its exhibits include sculptures, artifacts and architectural decorations from prehistoric ages to Roman times.
The rooms of the villa contain illustrations of the prehistoric age, with caves and settlements, as well as information and findings from the digs in the area of Trinità, where a settlement from the 2nd millennium B.C. was discovered. Many terra cotta vases
and urns, some decorated with intricate designs, are also on display.
Some of the artifacts were unearthed at archaic and classical necropolises from the surrounding areas, including a variety of tomb furnishings relating to them. To us, the most impressive object in the museum is the colossal marble statue, almost 8 feet high, of a female figure dating back to the 1st century A.D. Found in Sorrento in 1971, it had probably been used as a decoration in the spa of a Roman villa.
After the museum visit, these "stranded penguins" walked home, took naps, and then decided to relieve our frustrations by returning to the Blue Sea restaurant for dinner!
We arrived a little before their normal opening time, but they let us take a table and enjoy cocktails until the chef fired up his kitchen. As it turned out, we had the entire restaurant to ourselves until another couple arrived shortly before we finished dessert. Dee wanted gin and tonic, so we ordered a couple, not knowing for sure what kind of mixer would be used. But the drinks were delicious, complete with elderberries and lemon, whatever mixer was used (reminded me of the India
tonic water we've encountered in Paris).
Feeling adventurous this evening, Dee wanted to try the 6-course
"degustazione" (tasting or sampling) meal on the menu. So, shortly after munching on the fabulous house bread (served with lemon-infused butter, and truffle butter), the games began!
I'll let the attached pictures and captions describe each of the courses that were presented, but needless to say it was a gourmand's delight. Although the servings were quite small, the presentations and riot of flavors were simply awesome! I had ordered the veal stew Dee tried the last time we were here, but tasted each of her dishes, and then ate almost all of her rabbit when it arrived.
Of course, by the time we shared a dessert, we were stuffed to the gills! The bill (66 euros) was very reasonable, considering all of the food and beverages we had ordered. Once again, this little place continued to amaze us. Somehow the two penguins managed to waddle their way back to the apartment; both of us had to unhitch our belts a few notches, but otherwise seemed no worse for having consumed so much food!
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Jeni
non-member comment
Love the vegetable market haul, looks so pretty! Dee- are you wearing a shower cap at the market? It stinks that the weather has been so cold, but I’m proud of you both for venturing out to have a good time. Those gin and tonics look very refreshing. Hope the weather gets better.