Tag Archives: Italiano

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Melanzana and Bubbly Flower

Spring was upon us in So Cal, June gloom had come in May and was rapidly dissolving now that we were in the early days of June. The last week of May hearalded a full moon that lasted a full four nights and cast is luminescence and magic over the world. Those who were smart enough to tap into it’s vibration, were supposed to be rewarded by excelling in all of their endeavors. Love and abundance was showered upon them from Luna, our faithful moon.

So the days were getting longer and the heat was emerging steadily with each afternoon in these early days of the month. I called my niece, who was always up for an experience and fun and we decided to meet at Aruffo’s, a wonderful Italian restaurant in the Inland Empire. I love to take my family there, because it’s the best place to eat-ever. The cuisine is authentic Italian made from recipes direct from Italy and served in full courses. Imaginative cocktails, delicious wine, inventive and traditional appetizers, complex and artful full plates and then to bring down the curtain; desserts that were fresh and to die for with fresh coffee pressed at our table.

Photo by Vitchakorn Koonyosying on Unsplash

I ordered Pasta Melanzana. Translated, this is Eggplant Parmesana. A delicious and decadent creamy dish with an eggplant base surrounded by fresh cooked spinach and a magical sauce that unlocks dreams of the Italian countryside and a life filled with joy and pleasure. The sauce is made with fresh butter, cream, spinach and parmesan cheese. To accompany the dish, I ordered a Bubbly Flower Martini, a cooling concoction of Prosecco and St. Germain Liqueur with a lemon twist. The Saint Germain Liqueur is made with Elderflower gathered in the French Alps and adds warm floral notes. The drink is a perfect summer refresher at the end of a hot day. It went great with the dish I ordered.

Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash

It just happened that it was also night of the Claremont Blues & Brews Craft Beer Walk. Jazz and Blues bands took up strategic locations throughout the village and provided cool and spontaneous notes to accompany an evening of possibilities. People were cruising, enjoying the night and the vibe was magic.

Photo by Laura Johnston on Unsplash

It was the perfect setting for catching up and reveling in the beauty of life. Afterward we strolled across the Claremont Colleges campus beneath towering sequoias and expansive lawns bordered with blooming rosebuds. Along each street were gorgeous old houses and school buildings where history had been made and the world changed with discoveries that had happened there.

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Little Ones Reunion

My sister and I decided to make a trip up north to visit an old friend. We landed in the city of our early childhood and decided to revisit old haunts. Our dad had worked downtown and had a favorite haunt that was just blocks from his work. He would invite my Mom and us downtown to his favorite lunch spot about once a month. Those were the madmen days and his restaurant was the quintessential madmen hangout. The waiters wore tuxes and knew their regulars by their first names. They knew your order by heart and the service was impeccable. My mom made sure that we always wore a dress, with white gloves, white socks and black patent leather shoes. Our hair was curled and we wore ribbons in our hair for these special lunches.

The restaurant tables were spread with white linen tablecloths and napkins and the silver sparkled. The drinks were icy and cold in spotless glasses. Warm sourdough and cold fresh butter came with the menus immediately and graced each table. The decor was dark, with tall asian vases and wood paneling and the setting was lively, but intimate. The waiters teased us and made sure they complemented our Dad on his beautiful family.

Photo by Ash Edmonds on Unsplash

So fifty years later, we returned and we were surprised. Nothing had changed. We had walked into a time capsule. This favorite haunt was so loved, that the owners chose to honor that love and never changed a thing. Because their love was reciprocated, people kept coming back and the restaurant survived downtown revitalization and decades of change. As we walked in, I almost expected the waiters to remember me, but of course the originals had moved on and new guys in tuxes had taken the stage.

So, we the little ones, from fifty years ago, had our reunion and celebrated our past. We celebrated the wonder of knowing that not everything changes and that some things really are meant to last.