Anyone for an “aperitivo”?

An experience that I have come to enjoy in Italy is one that can be had any day between 5.00 and 7.00 p.m., that of an “aperitivo” (or what we would call an aperitif).  Walk into any bar between those hours, and they will be ready for you J An aperitivo is served with at the very least, a small bowl of crisps, another with maybe peanuts and even a third with another snack such as olives.  In a bowl of peanuts a teaspoon is added so that customers can scoop a few nuts into their hand and so makes sharing a much more hygienic experience when there are several of you together.  

What is an aperitif?  In short, a before dinner snackette, an appetiser if you will.  Here in Italy it can be something like a Crodino, or a San Bitter, or maybe Campari an Aperol or Prosecco or any other small (almost non- alcoholic) drink.  However for me, it’s the foodie bits that are served with the aperitivo that are always a source of anticipation and delight (and occasionally it must be admitted disappointment too).   You just never know what you are going to get; tiny pieces of pizza, miniscule sandwiches, or little bites of filled pastry.  Sometimes just seeing them laid out on a bar table (buffet style is not unheard of) is enough to make your mouth water.  Recently a new bar opened near where we live, and Vito and I went there a couple of weeks ago to try out their aperitivo.  Unfortunately it was only 3.30 p.m. and we were too early, so had to settle for crisps, olives and the apologies of the staff.  This Saturday we decided to try our luck again.  Well it was definitely worth the wait.  We sat at a table outside the bar, which is situated in a quiet back street, as first our drinks arrived followed shortly after by these.  

Turning the plate with the bowl of crisps on it, I found two additional bowls full of couscous.  The pieces of toast (bruschetta) had things like a spinach and cheese mix on top while another had sun-dried tomatoes.  We were also served slices of fine flaky pastry filled with mushrooms and slices of cheese.  Vito commented that all the food was vegetarian although we hadn’t made any special request. 

Then we saw at a neighbouring table, grissini with cooked ham twisted around them had been served, so we came to the conclusion that different selections are given to all their customers.  One thing that all customers had in common though was their reaction on being presented with this mini feast.

“WOW!!!”

And all for 4 Euro per head including the drink.  

Double Wow!!