Page 39 of It's All Sun and Games

‘Wow, very good,’ Andrea replies encouragingly. ‘We’ll make an Italian out of you yet, huh?’

I smile, probably way too proud of myself for that one. I feel a mixture of nerves and excitement for tonight, at the thought of meeting (properly, knowing all of the facts) and getting to know Andrea’s family, and finally getting to see the restaurant that I have heard so much about over the years.

Plus, this might also help me with my work, giving me a unique insight into Italian food and culture that the others just won’t be able to experience while we’re here.

I definitely owe Andrea, that’s for sure, so I will turn up and I will do my best.

And Andrea is right. How much trouble can I get myself into, if I don’t even speak Italian?

Nine out of ten times, it’s my mouth that gets me in trouble anyway.

I’m sure it will be fine – hell, I might even enjoy it.

17

Andrea’s family’s restaurant sits on the edge of what he calls ‘Bari Old Town’.

‘What does that actually mean?’ I ask him.

‘It is basically what it sounds like,’ he replies. ‘Most Apulia cities have an old town – a maze-like area, rich in history – and then a modern new area, with neat grid streets and more contemporary buildings. The old town is so beautiful.’

‘I’d love to explore it,’ I say enthusiastically, because I really would.

‘Well, Lucia is getting married at Bari Cathedral,’ Andrea explains as we walk down the street. ‘So you will get to see it.’

‘I can’t wait,’ I reply. ‘I was worried that I wasn’t going to get to do any sightseeing on this trip. It’s funny how things work out.’

‘Okay, here we are,’ he announces.

As we approach a row of typically Italian buildings, painted in pastel shades of pinks and oranges, with apartments upstairs and businesses below, Andrea points out his parents’ restaurant.

‘Villa Fiore,’ I read the name out loud.

‘Fiore means flower,’ Andrea tells me. ‘Come on, let’s head inside.’

After crossing the street, we enter the restaurant, only to find it packed with people.

‘Wow, it’s so busy,’ I point out, raising my voice so that Andrea can hear me over the chatter. ‘Do you think we should come back when there are fewer customers?’

Andrea laughs.

‘Robin, these are not customers, this is the family,’ he points out.

Oh, boy.

I scan the sea of faces and I can’t even begin to guess how many people are here, but the restaurant is absolutely rammed.

Suddenly, Andrea catches someone’s eye, and before I know it, we’re engulfed in a wave of greetings and kisses on the cheeks. Though I can’t understand a word of the rapid Italian being spoken in my direction, somehow I can just tell that it is a warm and welcoming reception. That’s a relief.

It feels almost like crowd surfing, as well-wishers usher us through the room, taking us all the way to the back of the restaurant before we can take a breather.

From what I can see, through the pockets of people, the restaurant seems to subtly blend a sleek and trendy city vibe with that traditional Italian aesthetic that lets you know you’re in for an authentically good meal. The walls are a mixture of rustic wooden beams and exposed brick, complemented by soft, cosy lighting and minimalist artwork.

Rows of wooden chairs surround tables draped in white tablecloths, creating an inviting atmosphere just crying out for guests to take their seats.

I spot Leonardo and Antonia lingering by the bar. Their faces light up with recognition as they see us approaching them, and they quickly rush over to greet us with warm smiles and the customary double kiss on each cheek. It’s a gesture that seemed strange to me at first but now, I don’t know, I kind of like it. Although it did just happen to me like forty times in a row, so all I can do is embrace it.

Antonia says something.

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