I feel I am finally on Italian time and decide to get up early and do some serious shopping and eating. I've done a lot of shopping today and have become very hungry. This leads me right into my purpose of the day; besides the great Gucci Belt my friend Josephine and I have our eyes on. I am on a quest for the best Italian Pizza I can find.

Each and every street around the Spanish Steps--Piazzia Spangna is filled with the words Pizzeria. My mouth starts to water as I see I have many options for a Real Italian Pizza. Is it really too much to be eating pizza for both Lunch and Dinner--I think not. I find a great Ristorante called Santa Lucia, which is located at Largo Febo, 12 in the area around Piazza Novana.

Italians are very clever when it comes to eating and take there meals very serious. Since it is summer all the Ristorantes have set up temporary outdoor cafes--this is very important because part of eating in Italy is watching the people and having people watch you. As Fashion is so important to Italians they like to show off. A nightly event is born from this need to be seen, it is called the Passigatta. My traveling friends say it reminds them of a parade of sorts. All the chairs face out into the street so everyone has a Primo view. It seems as it is not about who you brought to Dinner but what you can see and who can see you. The Italians have their cell phones plastered to their ears, they would hate to miss a call or an opportunity to go somewhere else where there is more action.

But back to my Dinner...I start with an Insalata di Polipeti (Octopus salad with green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and black olives). Even food sounds better in Italian. My Primi Piatti is Paccheri Con Funghi Porcini e Bottargo (Paccheri pasta with Porchini mushrooms and bottarga). The plate comes and I'm concerned I will not be able to finish this and my Secondi Piatti. Italians always have a Primo (first course) and a Secondi (second course). This may not seem like a lot of food to you but I have already ate a basket of fresh baked bread with that fresh olive oil I told you about and an appetizer. As I am enjoying my view and time with friends, waiters come out together to present me and my friends with huge plates piled high with our Secondi Piatti. I have ordered Mazzancolle alla Griglia (grilled king prawns) per my waiter’s request. He told me to order 200 grams and that would satisfy me. At market price I guess it satisfied him more than me, but they were wonderful. After dinner my friends and I walked to Pizzia Novana for the best Gelatto in Italy at Tres Scallini. A perfect ending to a wonderful day. We sit and become part of the daily Passigatta.

Ciao' from Italy - Giacomo and Laurie

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