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A few tears of joy...
...at Benvenuti in Casa. Yesterday morning, at around 8:30 AM, we said farewell to our dear friends Peter and Rosita, who departed for their visit to Napoli. As we waved good-bye to them from our balcony, it began to dawn upon us that we, too, would be leaving in just a few days.
Whereas our friends carried with them a single suitcase and backpack, we would need several large trunks and a pack mule in order to bring home the many memories we've accumulated during our time in Sorrento.
One of the items on our agenda for our last few days, apart from packing and tidying the apartment, was to say our good-byes to some of the special people with whom we've developed some rapport. So today we decided to pay a final visit to Nello and La Maison Douce for lunch, where we've savored such good food and
bonhomie during our long stay.
As usual, Nello welcomed us with smiles and hugs, and shortly after we sat down he served us complimentary glasses of Prosecco when he realized this would be our "last call" at La Maison Douce. Dee ordered the shrimp and calamari platter, along with her usual limoncello spritzer.
Farewell toast at La Maison Douce
Our glasses of Prosecco, compliments of the house. I deviated from my recent obsession with seafood, choosing the lasagne dish (which was delicious) and a glass of red wine.
We then shared a dessert of
panna cotta, topped with some fresh raspberries, followed by parting shots of limoncello and my thimble-sized serving of espresso. While paying the bill, Nello and his young protege obliged us with a group photo taken by one of the other servers.
After some parting hugs and kisses, I repeated something I've said to him on several previous occasions,
"Nello, you are the best!". His response, as always, was
"No, you are the best!" Today our plan was to eat an early lunch at the English Inn, another one of our favorite haunts during our time in Sorrento, to bid a fond farewell to the manager (Fabio) and his crew of merry men (Claudio and Danielo), plus one very nice, hard-working lady with a perpetual smile upon her face (Janet). The outside terrace of the inn facing Corso Italia was unusually crowded when we arrived, so we sat in the mezzanine area.
A weary-looking Fabio took our order, and we shared the fish and chips platter, a mixed salad, with
a limoncello spritzer and a draft beer. After we had finished our lunch, we were able to assemble the group for a photo, and then said our good-byes. We take home with us many fond memories of the moments we shared with these congenial people!
After we left the English Inn, we walked along Via San Cesario to the florist shop where Dee had purchased a bouquet back in April for our friend Laura's visit from Rome.
Today she wanted some flowers to give to Sofia, the young chef at Benvenuti in Casa, the restaurant across the street from our apartment. Earlier today we had made a reservation with her husband, Gianfranco, for 6:30 PM tonight, so we could say good-bye and express our gratitude to this young, enterprising couple who own and operate the restaurant.
When Dee presented Sofia with the gorgeous bouquet of flowers, and a note we had written in Italian (with the assistance of Google translate), she seemed genuinely surprised and touched.
Later, while we were sharing a dessert, Sofia turned the tables on Dee by presenting her with a 12" china plate with the words
"Thanks for everything. We love you!" The English Inn gang
Claudio, Dee, me, Janet; Fabio in back. handwritten in chocolate sauce! Almost immediately, Dee broke into tears at this sweet gesture by Sofia and her husband. We certainly had quite a memorable experience tonight during this--our final--visit to Benvenuti in Casa.
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Jeni
non-member comment
You both have certainly made some good friends in Sorrento during your stay. I don’t think anyone else would have received a message in chocolate sauce like you did, but you guys are special like that. I started to get teary with all the goodbyes and the “last” everything. Time to pack and head to the next adventure! 😘