The wedding was lovely, my friend looked like an Italian princess. They had the ceremony at Sant' Anna Del Palafrenieri in Vatican City a charming little old world church adorned with marble, gold and glorious paintings. It was funny to me when taking pictures in St. Peters Square how a bride in Rome is very much like Mickey Mouse in Disneyland. Everyone seemed to stop, look and take pictures of the beautiful bridal party. The part I appreciated most was that the few guests who did make the trip really knew the couple well and wanted to be there. The meaningful conversations, funny stories, and endless glasses of wine made this fariy-tale wedding one we will not forgot.
When I was not assisting with wedding plans my time was spent taking in the essence of Italian food relishing in the abundance of fresh, simple and truly delightful offerings. I wandered the streets popping my head into any little market I could find. I was in awe at the assortment of meats, cheeses and breads that were so readily available. I stopped often at little coffee shops to sample the sweet elixir of espresso and take in the city views. I think some of the best coffee in the world can be found in Italy.
Some of my favorite food memories are the simplest. The classic long pizza boards by the Trevi Fountain with shredded zucchini and cheese. The creamy risottos with a rich earthy black truffles. Gnocchi that melts in your mouth like butter and crispy seared duck breast with a roasted orange pepper sauce and balsamic vinegar. The presentation is as easy as it ever could be. My caprese salad came to the table with a ball a fresh mozzarella, a few basil leaves and some sliced tomatoes. It just goes to show when food is done right it needs nothing but a plate. Italy is a food heaven!
