The day after we came back from Rome, we booked a table at a restaurant that was recommended to us. My aunt’s friends were talking so much about this place, eventually they had our curiosity. The (the dreamers’ bistrot) is run by a couple of young and dynamic siblings, Stefano and Emmanuela.


Guys, one thing is for sure: this place definitely entered the top 10 list of restaurants where I’ve been.
The food wasn’t good: it was unusually delicious. The staff was amazingly friendly and I was completely mesmerized by the atmosphere: adorable decoration and jazz music playing in the background. Too bad it was already dark when we got there; the restaurant is located at the top of a hill and I bet during daytime the view makes things even better (if that is possible). 


Don’t expect to be handed a never-ending menu with tons of classic Italian dishes. No. Here, you have a daily blackboard with approximately 4 antipasti, 4 primi piatti (pasta) and 4 secondi piatti (meat or fish). Same goes for dessert. Of course, everything they serve is typical of the region and they are absolutely delighted to explain what their recipes are made of.

Wanna know what I ate? On the left is my antipasto: mozzarella di bufala, eggplants, zucchinis, artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes and a zucchini blossom. On the right is the primo piatto: pappardelle with fava beans. I didn’t leave a single fork of it. I was so damn full after this, I didn’t make it for dessert, which was a pity … I most probably missed another heavenly moment. Oh well, I hope I’ll go back to that place.

At this point of my holidays, I would like to underline the fact that an African heat wave took over Italy, and the everyday temperatures easily rose up to 42°C. Call me crazy, but that’s exactly what I was hoping for. I feel like that’s how summer should be. However, the sirocco made it difficult for us to go out and visit during the day, all we could reasonably do was either cool off in the pool or inside the house.

On Saturday evening, after dinner, we left the house to go and see Giuseppe Verdi‘s La Traviata. The thing with me and operas is that I always wish I’d go and see more of them – it really does touch me, but then I never take the time to do it. This was the perfect occasion! The setting was exceptional: it took place in an open-air ancient Roman amphitheater.

Aren’t you fascinated by certain objects? For me, it’s musical instruments (ok, and shoes :p). To my great despair, I have no clue of how to play any of them. I wish I had learned piano and violin. And those musical scores? Such a cryptic language! I am in total awe.

Back to La Traviata. I’m ashamed to admit this, but I didn’t even know that these two very famous songs came from it:

 
– Brindisi
– Noi Siamo Zingarelle


Exacerbated feelings, music, dance and costumes. Drama at its finest. What’s not to love? I’ve been listening to these songs on repeat since then :) 
Last post coming up! Get ready to say goodbye to Italy. 
Sara.