A Guest
Our friend from Verona was coming on the train! Even though she has been here quite a few times before we felt like she was a visitor to our city and that was a good feeling.
On the way to meet her train, we stopped in the Torefazione, where they actually roast the coffee on premises. We were a little early for her train so we walked over the Scalzi bridge for a quick explore and then met Luisa. We walked practically the whole length of Cannaregio, back to the restaurant Alla Frasca where I had made a lunch reservation. 
We were so busy talking I didn’t pay attention to the menu. Luisa and I shared a delicious mixed grill of seafood (and I was glad we shared because even the half portion was a lot to eat) and we each had a salad. Ken had spaghetti with clams and mussels which was good but not great at all. The star of the meal was the conversation.
We came back to our place and then went to the “secret” bar for coffee before we walked Luisa back to the train station.
Luisa at the secret bar
During our rest time, we got to Face Time with our kids, a Mothers Day treat. I love seeing their faces. Then we went for a walk to find Mindy’s apartment for her stay at the end of the month. It’s about a 5 minute walk from our place now. Too bad we will be gone when she arrives. Here’s her street:
One the way back we stopped in at our old favorite, The Pupa Bar. The owner was there and remembered us. We had our spritz and negroni and he ended up charging us half price! For dinner we ate the wonderul platter from Elisa (our landlord). Really great artichokes and frittata. It was perfect after the big lunch.
Elisa came down later to talk about the vegetable order. We will go pick them up on Wednesday– veggies and herbs, grown locally on Sant Erasmo. I was supposed to go see the boat market where she gets them on our last visit but it was the Wednesday, November 9th, 2016, after the horrific election and I just couldn’t do it. She stayed for a while and we talked and talked.
That was our busy day! We’re starting to freak out a little bit about the trip ending but that’s how it goes.
I’ve jotted down the place where you ate lunch, Osteria all Frasca!
Thank you for checking out the street where I’ll be staying…sorry we can’t spend time together in your Venezia!
xoxo
As much as I love Alla Frasca, agree that their spaghetti with clams is better elsewhere. Their antipasti and grilled fish are great, as well as their desserts.
Now I know to ask Elisa where she gets her veggies!
Another great day! We took the boat to San Erasmo once, but it was winter and muddy and felt deserted. Still, it was a great boat ride. There used to be a pastry shop called Pupa. Is that the same place?