"How can I take it seriously? Even my best work turns into poop the next day.”
-Chef Mario Batali
This weekend was all about friends and food! What better combination is there in life? Well, I can think of one, but I won’t go down that path. Looking back, I find it kind of strange that my Friday evening consisted of going to the grocery store and then back home. There was a hint of foreshadowing in terms of what the rest of the weekend would bring. Plans were already in place to meet up with Denise Christie-Caputo and Joe Caputo, both EA/Firemonkeys staff members, on Saturday. We were set to have lunch together at the Island Bar/Restaurant (thats what I call it) that you’ve seen in many of my videos. Plans changed last minute, but for the better.
I really don't know where to start! Do I start with the food, or do I start with how great it was to hang out with Denise and Joe? Instead of meeting at the Island bar, I met Joe and Denise at our office building and hopped in the car. Our first stop was breakfast. The restaurant was amazing! It was a good 20 minute wait just to get in the place and the clientele was an eclectic mix of interesting people. I could literally spend the entire day just watching the people walk in and out. When we finally sat for breakfast I could understand what the wait and the fuss was about. Every dish came out looking like a piece of artwork. Honestly, I really didn't know whether I should stare at it or begin eating. My stomach won the contest in the end. Each bite was better than the last. After breakfast it was off to Melbourne’s version of Little Italy. Sorry Joe, but I don't remember the name of the street or area! :)
The street was lined with little shops, cafés, and neat little nooks. Each shop or cafe more interesting than the one before it. If my memory serves me correctly, the first place we stopped was the worlds largest café/bakery. I mean really, it was huge! The walls were refrigerated units lined with row after row of assorted baked goods. Display cases stretched the length of the shop and they were completely packed with the most savory looking deserts that you will ever see in your life. Smack in the middle was a gigantic coffee bar. I told you before how Melbournians (is that a word?) LOVE their coffee. Joe had an espresso, Denise copped out, and Tonka went straight to the sweets! I just had to try a cannoli, but then I saw the rum soaked whatever it was called, and I had to try that too! Yes, two deserts… Color me FAT! But wait, there is more! Much, much, much, more! I swear that Joe and Denise could work for the state of Victoria, or at the very least the city of Melbourne, because they are the best guides ever!
Our next stop was a little Italian wine and cheese shop. This was no ordinary wine cheese shop though. The place was packed with every single kind of cheese you can imagine plus more! Do you have the mental picture yet? Okay, now add meats of every variety! The worlds best prosciutto available in ways that I never knew existed. Oh yes, there's more. Now for the coup de grace… wine, wine, wine! We sat outside at one of the tables facing the street and ordered a tray of cheese and meats along with a bottle of red wine. It was an amazing way to enjoy food, good drink, people watch, and of course forge new friendships. That is exactly what happened too! Words can’t begin to describe the experience. It's amazing the way good food can bring people together in ways that life alone cannot. We had not one bottle of wine, but THREE between us! I think we sat at that table for nearly four hours enjoying each others company and talking about stuff. Happy stuff, sad stuff, you name it! I feel like I have known Denise and Joe for years, and I am so blessed to have shared the day with them both. It's not over yet though! Before we move on, I need to mention this… While we sat at our table eating and drinking for several hours, a worker from the cheese shop brought the BIGGEST platter of prosciutto and cheeses around for everybody to sample. Not once, but TWICE! You'll see a picture of it in my video. This was the biggest tray of prosciutto that I have ever seen in my entire life. It was incredible! The staff at this restaurant was insanely friendly and also entertaining. I hope you aren't full yet, because it is time to move on to the next restaurant.
Yes, just when you thought you were full and couldn't eat anymore, there is more and you could eat more! Joe and Denise took me to an amazing pizza joint. Look, for years there's been arguments about who has the best pizza in the United States. Several places in New York claim to have the best, several Chicago places, and god knows who else. The fact of the matter is that they all lose! I can't remember the name of the place we visited last night, but truth be known THEY have the best pizza. How can I describe the taste? I can’t, but I can tell you that it was a thin crunchy crust with absolutely NO oily/grease taste or feel. The sauce was the perfect sweetness and so fresh that you could taste the tomatoes. It was topped with large spheres of fresh mozzarella cheese and thinly sliced prosciutto. Each bite was like listening to a choir of angels sing in heaven. You get my point? Then came the desert pizza. Sounds gross, right? WRONG! Imagine that same crust but drizzled in white chocolate along with other sweet delights and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Now imagine the first time you had sex, and multiply that feeling by ten. That is how good the desert pizza tastes! There was a line of people waiting to get in this pizza place that stretched the entire building! Now I know why. Again, words just can't give justice. The flavors were insanely delicious. By this time we had lost track of time, but we all knew that is was time to call it quits. There was still one more stop to make though…back to the first cafe! Joe wanted another espresso (smart man) and I was ready to give it a try myself. I had my two equal ready to go for the espresso, but relented when Joe said that it wouldn't taste the same unless I used raw sugar. Believe it or not, I handed over my espresso and let him prepare it for me. The result? Outstanding! I literally licked the bottom of the cup. Espresso and I are now great friends. :)
Saturday was an incredible day. The day started with three people getting to know one another but ended with three people bonded in friendship that will last the test of time. We shared stories of life and love, enjoyed many laughs, and all over great food and wine. It was so much fun that I never guessed several hours had passed. I can’t thank Denise and Joe enough for showing me yet another amazing piece of Melbourne that I never knew existed. The food, fun, and conversation made this weekend one of the best yet! I just can't wait for Chris to arrive. It will truly be Christmas in July!
HERE is a video that combines last week’s visit to St. Kilda Beach and last night’s adventure with Denise and Joe. Random pics taken from yesterday’s adventure are below.
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