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Published: April 9th 2023
A frontal system brought some heavy rain showers throughout this region of Italy yesterday, along with some lightning and thunder to boot (go figure that out, with air temperatures in the mid-50s!). Needless to say, the inclement weather put a damper on our plans to pound the cobblestones and explore another section of the town.
So we stayed put inside our apartment the entire day, venturing out only for a grocery run in the late afternoon, and for dinner across the street at Benvenuti in Casa in the evening. We had another wonderful experience at this family-owned and -operated restaurant, where friendly, attentive service along with delicious Italian cuisine seem to be the key ingredients to its success. We are simply amazed at how a husband and wife team can manage to cook and serve with no other help, except for the husband's father (and limoncello maker) whom we met this evening as he lent a hand bussing tables and serving beverages. The wife/chef even bakes the bread and pastries that are served!
However, this night we gorged ourselves on codfish, pasta and beef, bread, wine, dessert and a shot of the house limoncello (a bottle of which we
purchased and took home for further testing), so it was a good thing we had only 50 meters to waddle from the restaurant to our apartment after we had finished! Perhaps this overindulgence accounted for our inability to fall asleep, as both of us tossed and turned until 3:00 AM.
This morning (Easter Sunday) greeted us with blue skies and welcome sunshine. We thought we'd better take advantage of the nice weather, so we headed out about 10:30 AM to walk to the Villa Comunale, a public park overlooking the Gulf of Naples. The walking route we followed from the cathedral was along the narrow, cobblestoned Via Giuliani, a passageway crammed with souvenir shops and numerous eateries, each trying to entice customers into their respective establishments. We did, however, spot some potential lunch spots to try in the days ahead, and there were some impressive ceramics on display along the way.
During our walk we passed another Sorrento landmark, the Sedil Dominova, a domed forum that was once the meeting place for the town's nobles. For generations since those medieval times, it has been a haven for retired working-class men to play cards and shoot-the-bull. There are also
some impressive 16th-century frescoes on the walls and ceiling.
We reached the Villa Comunale in short order, and enjoyed the scenic views over the Gulf of Naples, including a view of Mount Vesuvius in the distance. After a brief visit inside the medieval cloister at the adjacent church of San Francesco, we walked toward the Piazza San Antonino, where there is a small pocket park with an impressive statue of the saint himself. From here, we backtracked a short distance to have a light lunch at the Terrazzo delle Sirene, which has an outside terrace with fine views out over the gulf. The food and service were nothing to rave about, but we did enjoy the setting.
After lunch we walked the short distance to Piazza Tasso, always a happening place, where crowds were congregating as usual. We bypassed most of the action, then followed Via Santa Maria della Pieta, a tiny and dingy street that goes back centuries before Christ. Several small bars and restaurants line this passageway, and we stumbled upon one that may be worth a try later. We soon emerged at the cathedral on Corso Italia, headed for home, and made a brief stop
at the Carrefour market along the way.
Dee's Comments: Well, "Hobble and Wobble" got up yesterday morning, ready to roll, but once again Mother nature had other plans. It started out as a fine mist of showers, but soon became heavy rain, lightning and thunder. We sat and watched the amusing scenes on the street below, as the scooter riders and other drivers struggled in the nasty conditions.
I decided to make us some lunch, a grilled cheese with great bread and a cup of instant soup. Read most of the afternoon; after the storm passed through, we went to the butcher shop where I found some lovely pieces of meat, butter, grape tomatoes, an avocado and of course more lemons (I've been putting lemon in salads, my drinks and cooking with them). Later we decided to have dinner at Benvenuti in Casa across the street, which was outstanding again; had an interesting conversation with a couple (in their 50s) from Scotland. We were so stuffed after leaving the restaurant (not accustomed to eating dessert...ate way too much)!
Happy Easter to everyone today! Great day; walked to the sea, which always makes me calm. Seemed like
fewer people out and about, with some stores closed for the holiday. Walking was very enjoyable, cobblestones notwithstanding, because of the sunshine and milder temperatures...not so cold when the sun shines. I'm making pork medallions, pureed potatoes and salad for our Easter dinner. Ciao!
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Joyce
non-member comment
HaPpY EaSteR !!!!!
The sights are always amazing, beautiful, especially all the food!! Your dinner sounds and looks scrumptious, enjoy! The weather today here is much cooler and breezy, not at all like the past have been, rained earlier this morning as well. Look forward to the adventures ahead. Much love always :)