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Rick Steves’ Europe: Eating local with a Venetian

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Piero splashes a hunk of bread into the broth under a pile of empty mussel shells and says, “You can feel the sea here.”

The conversation stops as a girl in a short wispy skirt prances by on the arm of a local Romeo. Piero says, “Is incredeeble. Look at this one! This is Venice. I am sorry. I am Italian. I watch the girls.”

As another lovely Italian woman struts by, Piero observes, “Giorgione, he is a good artist — yes — but this ... this is better. Oh, Dio. I have a beautiful girlfriend. She is a model. But I cannot be married. It is impossee — ”

I interrupt Piero by pretending to notice a woman over his shoulder. He stops mid-sentence to see what distracts me. It’s nothing — but I make my point: The default switch in his mind is set on girl-watching.

Suddenly, it’s back to the fine dining. Loris brings a plate of six crawfish with tails peeled and ready to bite. As I peer skeptically at the strange-looking creatures, Piero says, “More aliens.”

As I pick one up and bite off the tail, I notice how cold and limp it feels. I ask, “Is this raw?”

“Yes ... Italian sushi.”

 

A bit later, Loris returns. “Now we have the pasta with crab sauce.” He serves Piero and puts the big bowl in front of me.

“Ahhh,” Piero says, “For the peasant family, this was the biggest honor ... to get the original bowl.”

The real treat for me is the luxury of being able to eat local with a local in a place like Venice.

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(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

©2022 Rick Steves. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


(c)2022 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.

 

 

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