Vino

Another visit from my sister allowed me to scratch something else off my Italy to-do list....wine tasting! Catina del Vesuvio is a winery at the base of Mt. Vesuvius that offers tasting and lunch.

We were taken around the grounds as our guide gave us some information about how the grapes are grown and cared for. The soil there is very rich in minerals due to the volcanic rock.

The volcanic rock is very porous which eliminates the need for them to water the grape vines. The rocks soak up the rain water!

They plant roses around the vines as a warning system. If there is any type of fungus or something harmful to the plants, it will attack the roses first. Then they can determine what cause of action to take for the grapes.

They let other flowers and weeds grow freely. They really never mow the grass.

Vesuvius looms in the background

 


Time to eat! Everything was delicioso!

Churra- The Meat Lovers Paradise

So hubby and I went out on another grown up dinner date. This time to a local Brazilian Restaurant named Churra'. We both heard good things about it, it was a little expensive, but it ended up being great food and a really nice upbeat atmosphere.

We started at the appetizer/salad buffet. I went  through and got a little sample of EVERYTHING except the french fries and onion rings. I  still can't figure out why they serve those but I swear every Italian that went through the buffet line got some. I have no clue what I had on my plate but most of it was pretty good.

 


A bacon wrapped onion that I will have to figure out how to make because it was so yummy.

When you finish with your appetizers, they start bringing out the meat on long skewers and slice you off a few pieces at a time. We had turkey, chicken, sausage, manzo (steer), pork loin, and pork ribs. For me, the turkey and the pork loin were the best ones but all of it was deliciously seasoned and very tender. There were about 4 guys with different meats that just make the rounds throughout the restaurant. You never have an empty plate. Look at that meat loving smile on my husband's face.

Keep this on your table for as long as your little carniverous heart desires.

When you have had all the meat you can stand just turn it over.

After dinner they bring you a skewer of cinnamon sugar crusted pineapple. And Surprise! It was good too!

The band played some good Italian music and we even got to meet the lead singer. After we met, he dedicated a song to me. Have no idea what the words were, but Deron said he better not be saying anything crazy or he's going to have to go have a word with him. Ha ha!

Italians eat dinner very late, usually after 8pm. At 11:00pm when we were finishing up, a couple of groups of people were just coming in to eat with their children! If I tried to take my kids to dinner at 11 they would either fall asleep in the car on the way over or be more than a little uncooperative from sheer exhaustion.

Yet another successful dinner outing. Hopefully they keep coming! Bon Appetito!

Night out at Turistico Beach Park

Hubby and I got the chance to go out to a grown up restaurant this past weekend. I wanted to go to the least kid friendly place we could find! One of the hotel staff recommended Turistico Beach Park which is in the city of Bacoli.

Insalata di Mare

which ended up being mostly octupus with a few shrimp and calamari

Fettucini al pesto di provola e noci

Souffle di cioccolato

Pieno e contento

On the drive home we saw a bit of the nightlife. Mostly people just hanging outside on the sidewalks and streets in front of bars socializing. In Italy a bar is where people go get coffee but they also serve pastries and liquor.

Ahhhhhhh the food

At our Newcomers Orientation she talked about how everything in Italy is made fresh from fresh ingredients. I guess a grilled sea bass with the head still attached is about as fresh as it can get.

I don't know where the states get their lemons but they need to upgrade to these bad boys

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