Day #1

So, Lisa took me to work on my first day like I'm in kindergarten. We pick up bus #30 from Piazza di Navigatore and 8 stops later were reached our destination near Piazza Navona (with three famous fountains). A five minute walk later and we arrived at Cantina del Vecchio. Allan Garner an owner of Cantina welcomed me and I was off to the kitchen for the first working shift. 

I met Paolo, the chef -- he's 30. Then Amjer the waiter and Albano the dishwasher/helper. Yesterday I mostly watched, seeing how I could fit in. 

Lunched was being prepped, though all of the soups and many of the entrees were nearly ready to go, needing heating, last minute cooking or assembly. The lunch menu (check out their site www.cantinadelvecchio.it) is not extensive (although Lisa tells me it is for an upscale restaurant). Why? It is the way. I imagine that with land at a premium, kitchens are small, and everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Allan tells me that in Italy, ingredients must be fresh (nothing frozen) or it must be indicated on the menu that the items were frozen -- I'm checking this out, so stay tuned). 

Lunch is served from noon to about 2:30 p.m.; after that "la cocina e chiusa" (the kitchen is closed) until "happy hour" at 7 p.m. 

I thought I knew how to cook until today. I was humbled by the fare and just watching as pastas were prepared at the moment -- sprinkled lightly with Parmigiano cheese and served piping. More later about the food (I returned home by bus, alone at 11:30 p.m. -- more on that later as well, so and couldn't sleep most of the night, so I'm too exhausted to go on at this moment. And I'm off to the restaurant now at 8:30 a.m). 

For now, long story short, yesterday was an amazing experience. Ciao, ciao!