I don’t remember Rose and Tony, but I love them here! Do you think there’s something deep and primal about wanting to introduce new friends and romantic interests to one’s family…
There used to be an Italian restaurant, in North Beach (it's been so long ago that I cannot remember exactly where) in that section where the homes where built on the side of the hill and there were steps in-between the sets of housing, leading from one street, to the street above. In the spare spaces underneath the houses, there were little shops and businesses facing the steps, almost mini-neighborhoods along each set of steps. The restaurant was, at the time, run by a quintessential Italian Grandmother. She would be sitting by the front door and greet you as you came in.
What was so interesting about this restaurant was, the doors opened at 5, dinner started at 6, and it was first-come-first-seated at five or 6 round tables that sat 10 each. Quite often, you would find 5 sets of deuces sat at a table, together. Each place-setting had a small bottle of Chianti.
By 6 O'Clock, the place was full, every seat was taken. Soup was the first course, and a large tureen of minestrone, and 10 bowls, would be brought to the table. One person would ladle the soup and someone else would pass the bowls. During the soup course, a waiter would come and ask what you wanted for the main course, usually you had only a few options. Pasta would follow the soup, the main course was next and dessert was always a wooden board with apples and cheese.
By the end of the meal, you usually had been talking with the other people at the table for at least an hour. Five couples at a 10-top would agree to eat there again next week, even though they had never seen each other before the meal. The Italian Grandmother(tm), would come to your table at some point, talk with the regulars, introduce herself the the newbies and at least ONE person at each table got their cheek pinched.
I doubt that there is anything close to a restaurant there now, but it was a great place, once upon a time.
You had me smiling through your walk down memory lane. My older brother "married into" the Gallo family which took in my whole childhood family, and I married into the Lissandrello family. Between our visit to southern Italy and full course dinners like you mentioned, you brought back so many good times. So sorry your Italian restaurant is gone - it's unlikely to ever be replaced anywhere.
As you well know then, it would take your heart and soul to make it fly. Only you can decide whether it's better retained as a dream or pursued as the ultimate challenge - considering all of today's obstacles and the fact that middle age has flown past both of us.
Beautiful, Darin. I was never there, but we had a "home-style" Italian restaurant here in Santa Cruz when I was growing up. Adolph's it was called. We sat at long tables with strangers, helping each other to soup from the tureen, passing a salad bowl and pasta - all before the main course came. I was like visiting someone in their home. Thanks for bringing back that memory.
What I loved about this little restaurant was, you could not see it from the street. It was well up the stairs that ran in-between the blocks of houses; you had to know that it was there (or know someone who did). I ate there probably a dozens times and I never saw it at less than full capacity.
Maybe I'm just a big ol cynic, but I really thought this one was going to turn dark at some point. 😂 The happy ending acted like a fun twist for me, since I was waiting for murder or at least kidnapping to take place before the end. I watched too many Lifetime movies in my 20s. 😉
Loved the line when she asks him if he's "normal." That's what we all want to know about people when we meet them but we're too afraid to ask.
It is odd, isn't it, how the surprise "twist" ending has become expected today. Ironic. And I have to say that I, like Tony, fear becoming normal by today's standards. Thanks for your comment Meg. ( I just finished reading the latest chapter of Home Raker. Comment soon.)
I'm searchin" for adjectives here. Awesome and wonderful are too trite , lovely is too girlie for insecure me. Touching, too sentimental. I got nothin' other than - it's such a well written story which reaches and connects with me on so many levels - Being married to a Lissandrello and all. It makes me think about the good ole days, courage, and hope. Thanks Sharron.
So I discovered the little audio arrow on the top of the page recently and decided to try out the voiceover function with this post. It worked nice, computery but not too computery. I soon forgot about the voice and was completely immersed in your story. Then, to my surprise, my eyes started to water. How is that possible, Sharron? You are so good!
Very sweet story. I loved it. She was either brave or foolish to trust him enough to go up a dark stairway with him, but I am delighted it turned out so well.
"Because when you decide to hook up with an Italian guy, you’re hooking up with the whole family." How absolutely true and correct! The story reminded me occasions from my deep past... especially with a young lady of Italian-German (!!) extraction! Can you imagine the nightmare? Italian vs German? She was struggling with the implications and I suspect she never grew past them... Oh, my dear poor Stefanie ....!!!! I wish I knew where she is today....
Yes, it always seems to me a miracle when Scandinavians or Germans marry Italians or Greeks and are able to keep it together What a wild life that must be.
Oh, this is wonderful, Sharron! When I read this line "“Rose, would you walk with me?” he asked. “I want to take you somewhere, show you something" there's no way I had thought it was going to be a 'meet the parents' scenario - what a treat! How lovely. ♥️♥️
I know it's an ending that is a bit old fashioned, to say the least, when considering the twisty endings that are so common now. Thanks Rebecca for rolling with it.
I don’t remember Rose and Tony, but I love them here! Do you think there’s something deep and primal about wanting to introduce new friends and romantic interests to one’s family…
Yes I do. It is a bid for validation, maybe? Or a deeper level of commitment?
Love this. The details, the dialogue, the surprise introduction. Beautiful storytelling, Sharron
Thanks so much, FandF!
I remember this one - great ending!
Thanks for having a second look, Linda. I sure value your opinion!
Wonderful story. I'm glad it had a "normal" ending. 😀
Yes, me too, Jim So many stories seem to have twist endings,that they are becoming, ironically predictable. Hah!
The food I can understand, pretty standard in an Italian household, but, how is it that nobody's cheek got pinched?
You can tell who's hung out with the Tonys and Marias.
There used to be an Italian restaurant, in North Beach (it's been so long ago that I cannot remember exactly where) in that section where the homes where built on the side of the hill and there were steps in-between the sets of housing, leading from one street, to the street above. In the spare spaces underneath the houses, there were little shops and businesses facing the steps, almost mini-neighborhoods along each set of steps. The restaurant was, at the time, run by a quintessential Italian Grandmother. She would be sitting by the front door and greet you as you came in.
What was so interesting about this restaurant was, the doors opened at 5, dinner started at 6, and it was first-come-first-seated at five or 6 round tables that sat 10 each. Quite often, you would find 5 sets of deuces sat at a table, together. Each place-setting had a small bottle of Chianti.
By 6 O'Clock, the place was full, every seat was taken. Soup was the first course, and a large tureen of minestrone, and 10 bowls, would be brought to the table. One person would ladle the soup and someone else would pass the bowls. During the soup course, a waiter would come and ask what you wanted for the main course, usually you had only a few options. Pasta would follow the soup, the main course was next and dessert was always a wooden board with apples and cheese.
By the end of the meal, you usually had been talking with the other people at the table for at least an hour. Five couples at a 10-top would agree to eat there again next week, even though they had never seen each other before the meal. The Italian Grandmother(tm), would come to your table at some point, talk with the regulars, introduce herself the the newbies and at least ONE person at each table got their cheek pinched.
I doubt that there is anything close to a restaurant there now, but it was a great place, once upon a time.
You had me smiling through your walk down memory lane. My older brother "married into" the Gallo family which took in my whole childhood family, and I married into the Lissandrello family. Between our visit to southern Italy and full course dinners like you mentioned, you brought back so many good times. So sorry your Italian restaurant is gone - it's unlikely to ever be replaced anywhere.
In one of my past lifetimes, I worked in the restaurant industry. I have always wanted to open a place just like that one.
As you well know then, it would take your heart and soul to make it fly. Only you can decide whether it's better retained as a dream or pursued as the ultimate challenge - considering all of today's obstacles and the fact that middle age has flown past both of us.
Beautiful, Darin. I was never there, but we had a "home-style" Italian restaurant here in Santa Cruz when I was growing up. Adolph's it was called. We sat at long tables with strangers, helping each other to soup from the tureen, passing a salad bowl and pasta - all before the main course came. I was like visiting someone in their home. Thanks for bringing back that memory.
What I loved about this little restaurant was, you could not see it from the street. It was well up the stairs that ran in-between the blocks of houses; you had to know that it was there (or know someone who did). I ate there probably a dozens times and I never saw it at less than full capacity.
Ha ha ha! No secret.
Beats me! They always happen, don't they.
Haha.. totally charming read.. totally !
Thank you, Thomas. Thanks for reading over here at 🍁Leaves!
I think Tony has his head on straight! Very nice, Sharron!
I think so, too. And Rose might just be a great partner. I am silly for a happy ending. Always. Thanks, James.
Maybe I'm just a big ol cynic, but I really thought this one was going to turn dark at some point. 😂 The happy ending acted like a fun twist for me, since I was waiting for murder or at least kidnapping to take place before the end. I watched too many Lifetime movies in my 20s. 😉
Loved the line when she asks him if he's "normal." That's what we all want to know about people when we meet them but we're too afraid to ask.
and then Tony had the gall to basically define normal in an unflattering but grounded way.
Yes. I don't care to be part of today's normal either, Mark. And I suspect you don't either.
🤣🤣 That was first thought as soon as there were dangling light bulbs in the dim hallway.
Ha ha ha! Thanks, Kristi.
It is odd, isn't it, how the surprise "twist" ending has become expected today. Ironic. And I have to say that I, like Tony, fear becoming normal by today's standards. Thanks for your comment Meg. ( I just finished reading the latest chapter of Home Raker. Comment soon.)
I'm searchin" for adjectives here. Awesome and wonderful are too trite , lovely is too girlie for insecure me. Touching, too sentimental. I got nothin' other than - it's such a well written story which reaches and connects with me on so many levels - Being married to a Lissandrello and all. It makes me think about the good ole days, courage, and hope. Thanks Sharron.
Awww. You are so kind. Thanks again, Mark. And as they said back in the sixties, Keep the Faith.
So I discovered the little audio arrow on the top of the page recently and decided to try out the voiceover function with this post. It worked nice, computery but not too computery. I soon forgot about the voice and was completely immersed in your story. Then, to my surprise, my eyes started to water. How is that possible, Sharron? You are so good!
Yikes! Thanks, John -- for the compliment and for the info about the voice-over feature. I am going to check that out!
I’ve know a lot of Tony’s.
Ha Ha Ha. Me too. Good guys. Old School.
Very sweet story. I loved it. She was either brave or foolish to trust him enough to go up a dark stairway with him, but I am delighted it turned out so well.
Yes, me too! Thank you, Mark!
Can't wait for these wonderful stories!
Thanks for reading them, Buzz. I am honored!
I love it.
Thank you, Sue, and thanks, too, for recommending 🍁Leaves. That was very sweet of you!
You're welcome, Sharron. Looking forward to more.
"Because when you decide to hook up with an Italian guy, you’re hooking up with the whole family." How absolutely true and correct! The story reminded me occasions from my deep past... especially with a young lady of Italian-German (!!) extraction! Can you imagine the nightmare? Italian vs German? She was struggling with the implications and I suspect she never grew past them... Oh, my dear poor Stefanie ....!!!! I wish I knew where she is today....
Yes, it always seems to me a miracle when Scandinavians or Germans marry Italians or Greeks and are able to keep it together What a wild life that must be.
Oh, this is wonderful, Sharron! When I read this line "“Rose, would you walk with me?” he asked. “I want to take you somewhere, show you something" there's no way I had thought it was going to be a 'meet the parents' scenario - what a treat! How lovely. ♥️♥️
I know it's an ending that is a bit old fashioned, to say the least, when considering the twisty endings that are so common now. Thanks Rebecca for rolling with it.
It was lovely, and so unexpected. 😊