The Birthday Dinner

The Birthday Dinner

At 7 p.m. Stefania picked us up and drove us into Pescara. By this time some very heavy thunderstorms had developed and the rain was more continuous and heavy.

We parked and went up to the apartment where Bruno was still getting ready. We sat there and chatted for a while as the rain battered the windows outside. The weather had decided to place a significant damper on the celebrations but we were determined to make sure that there would be sunshine inside even if it rained outside.

At about 8.30 p.m. we got into Bruno’s car and drove to the restaurant in Francavilla. The restaurant is called Cafe Les Paillotes and it is at Piazza Le Laudi, 2, 65129, Pescara. The streets in Pescara on the way were flooded to hubcap-deep in water by this time and the downpour was very heavy. We found the restaurant but, as luck would have it, it was surrounded by construction which made parking close by, impossible!! So after circling the block, we need up parking a block away which made the trip to the restaurant, in the rain, rather uncomfortable, But, we made it OK and were soon sitting at a large table in the restaurant which was otherwise empty on this dirty night. After some time, the others arrived, Emanuelle, her partner Alfredo, daughters Elisabetha and Camilla and then Daniela’s daughter Beatrice in her trademark ripped jeans.

We started with a very nice cocktail the ingredients of which I have no idea. Then there were choices of those who liked raw fish and those who did not. Elisabetha does not like fish very much and chose to have a meat menu.

We started with oysters, then bacala which was in a very light tempura, followed by a seafood risotto and lastly branzino. All the food was delicious and this Michelin star restaurant did not disappoint. Emanuele chose a very nice white wine from Campania and the whole meal was excellent. We ended up with a dessert of a chocolate mousse and then, of course the birthday cake with a large sparkler in it. Present were given and wishes bestowed.

Although I cannot understand much Italian, especially when it is spoken at high speed by excitable people!! The conversation at dinner was fascinating. Alfredo and Bruno discussed politics and Emanuele told us about trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and China which she had won while working for her bank. Alfredo had accompanied her and they had some adventures, especially when Alfredo, who had bought golf clubs on one trip tried to bring them through airport security with no wrapping or bag!!

The other interesting conversation was between Elisabetha and Stefania. Elisabetha confessed that her first vote since reaching the age of 18 in the very recent European Parliament elections, had been for the right wing La Lega Party leader Mario Salvini!! This prompted an out pouring from the generally left wing elders and Stefania and Emanuele tried in vain to persuade Elisabetha of the error of her thinking. This, of course, is futile with an 18 year old. She has, it seems, had some problems being hassled by immigrants when she is out in the evening and as Mr. Salvini is very anti-immigrant, she feels that he will rectify the situation not, naturally realizing the wider aspects of his right wing agenda. Eventually, Stefania gave up and extended her hand to Elisabetha and peace was restored. It is quite probable that in a very short space of time, Elisabetha’s political views will rotate 180 degrees and she will become a Green supporter or something!! Of course, her grandparents, especially Bruno who was a left wing Senator find her views at this stage to be anathema but Stefania later admitted that at 18 years of age, views are unformed. Elisabetha’s mother was quite strident in her condemnation of her daughter and justified it by telling her that her views were misguided and informed by misinformation. Possibly so.

Anyway, peace broke out and the meal ended cordially. It was, perhaps the proto-typical Italian meal and MAC and I enjoyed immensely, despite my not being able to understand much of the details of the conversation, it was great to see the family interacting in such a lively and engaging way.

Scenes from the dinner

Our 'Happy Birthday' banner at Cugnoli

We left the restaurant in the continuing deluge and made our way to Bruno’s car. Back at the apartment we transferred to Stefania’s car for the trip back to LFMD and by the time we arrived, the weather had abated and the rain had stopped.

I remarked, we will not remember the rain but we will remember the happy birthday gathering.