Sunday with Salvatore

 When Janet and I thought about moving overseas, part of the dream was finding a great, small local restaurant that we could call our own. We've definitely found it in Assettati. We've only been here around two and a half months, and I think we've already eaten there a dozen times or more. That, alone, should give you a sense of how we feel about the place. The food is dependably wonderful and affordable, but it's also more than that. It just feels like home. Everyone there is friendly and welcoming. We wanted to find that place where we didn't feel like an outsider, but instead a member of the family. A couple of days ago Salvatore told us that due to a strike there were no clams (which led to my spaghetti and sea urchins meal), and he promised to track down some clams for Sunday - and we promised to see him then. Last night it was pretty dreary and drizzly, and it's over a twenty-minute walk down the hill to Assettati, but we were both in agreement: "We promised Salvatore that we'd be there for the clams on Sunday," so it was inconceivable that we wouldn't come. As it turns out, the clams didn't arrive, so Salvatore jumped in his car and somehow tracked some down. The meal was wonderful, and we took advantage of a relatively quiet, rainy Sunday to talk to Salvatore about the secrets to cooking spaghetti and clams, where one finds clams - and the challenges of taking care of them, and the fishing patterns of local fishermen. It was a wonderful evening.

The spaghetti with clams was worth the wait. That's a pretty big serving with a ton of clams, so I don't know if that was a bonus for keeping our word on a rainy Sunday night and showing up - or just for being such loyal customers.

Janet ordered the raviola con ricotta, which was once again great. She was cutting it into with her knife, when Salvatore told her to eat it with her hands. More sage advice.

I didn't get the chance to order dessert, as Salvatore told me I was having the tiramisu. This is fine with me, as I've told him that I've made enough decisions in my life. They served it with espresso on the side, which was a wonderful addition.