In VB there are 2 places for espresso, one is known as the Bar, the other is the Pasticceria Aries Gelateria. The Bar, just a 'spit' from Carla's apartment is the place to go for the VA regulars, mostly men and those who drink regularly (yes the town drunks, more than one). You can dash over there without a coat. I think Vicky went in her slippers once. It opens at 7am and closes at midnight. Besides an espresso,(1€)cappuccino or Tina's favorite Americana; they serve hard liquor and wine with little hors de ouvre placed at the end of the bar. You can buy lotto tickets, morning pastries and shoot pool in the back. There is one of the gambling machines and I am sure other "nefarious" stuff that we were not exposed to or allowed to see!!!
The Patisserie, farther down the block,(one may walk but often they drive), is a bit more refined, has nice cookies, cakes again morning pastries (called cornetto's) gelato during the summer and tablecloths on the tables. Carla took us there initially, I don't think she thought we were ready for the local "steamy"side of VB.
At the local Bar,there seemed to be a hierarchy of town drunks with #1 town drunk being *****. Apparently he is married, on disability of some sort, has poor teeth, drives an Piaggo APE and drinks white wine with campari. One morning we all went to the bar for our regular espresso and he was there to greet us with his signature drink. He had met us all before but greeted Vicky asking her in Italian if I was Vicky's mother and Tina, Vicky's daughter. We all of course laughed hysterically, I gave him an Italian physical disparaging sign under the chin to him which caused the whole bar to laugh hysterically. Giancarlo, the gentleman he is; immediately came to my defense by reminding us all that **** had already had been drinking that morning.
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