Karen - Day 116 - Burbank, CA
Robert De Niro
(Photo borrowed from the internet)
Luckily they make me leave the cocoon and go to new places. Co took me to a restaurant called Ago. It was my first time, which sometimes makes me a little anxious regarding the hip/fancy shmancy factor. But as soon as I walked in I felt like I was back in Italy. The warmth of the people working there is so sincere and so Italian. There were sparkly lights and candles surrounding us in this warmth. Our ridiculously handsome and unassuming Italian waiter, Emiliano, walked up and was so gracious I felt right at home. If my home was in Florence and they were all my friends and I was hot...hey, it's my pretend home, right?
I held up one of the candles to look at the menu and Emiliano rushed over with a little tiny flashlight to help me. He was very sweet when I tried to order Muscoli Pepati steamed mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce in my long forgotten Italian. It was so delicious I sopped up every last drop with their fresh bread.
Then I asked for something not on the menu. Penne All'Arrabbiata: Which means "angry style" due to the heat of the peppers in the sauce. Isn't that a creative way to say spicy pasta?
"Emiliano, when I lived in Italy, an Italian family I new said I should have been from Sicily because I love things spicy. Do you think they can make me a penne all'arrabbiata so spicy it will make me cry? Please?"
"Of course! And if they can't, I will go to my house and make it for you myself and bring it to you."
I believe I giggled. I'm not ashamed to admit it.
They make the pasta themselves and it was perfection.
I came home and looked up Ago's online. Turns out it's an L.A. hotspot owned by a famous chef, Agostino Sciantri and one of my favorite actors Robert DeNiro. Well, there you go.
Once home, I tiptoed in and saw Hubby asleep on the couch with 4. My heart broke just a little at their faces, so similar. And I was so happy to be back home. To my own little cocoon.
Delizioso!
Wait. "IF you were hot?!!". Does your house not have mirrors?
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same experience at the Olive Garden last night!
ReplyDelete(No, no I didn't and I'm very jealous of you.)
I agree with Allison, we need to get you some mirrors for your house, because you have no clue how hot you are! I need to go to this restaurant; for the food and the cute and flirty Italian waiters. I'm soooo jealous. I need to get out more!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you lived a little piece of Italy! YUM!!!!
ReplyDeletek-i think you are the type of girl who would absolutely roll where EVER you go...you are the sparkly lights, beauty and grace from within, that truly illuminate the outside...i have never seen you...but everything we do is a tell about who and what we are...there by your posts give us all a really beautiful elegant picture (your tell)....of YOU. outside physical beauty is always more spectacular when a person, someone like you, is that way on the inside. any place, any person, any situation you are BEAUTIFUL....i just know it!
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Ciao Bella!
ReplyDeleteDelizio! And I would go to ANY restaurant if there was a chance of seeing DeNiro, I still think he's so attractive! XX!
ReplyDeleteso glad to hear that I'm not the only one with the candle to read the menu situation - sounds like a lovely fancy schmancy dinner!
ReplyDeleteI love Italian restaurants like that!
ReplyDeleteDid you really live in Italy? I'd like to hear that story, please.
I think a friend of mine used to work there a long time ago.
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