Ha! This is going to make things confusing if we ever meet for a coffee, Glenda!
Do you ever say "caffè al vetro macchiato" (reversing the adjectives)? I used to do that sometimes and a barista said it made me sound uncultured. So I stopped.
What amazes me is how a barista can remember the coffee order of so many "regulars." A few weeks back I went to one of my former coffee bars in the neighborhood where I used to live. These people hadn't seen me since 2022. But after asking where I'd been and petting Mocha on the head, the first thing the barista asked was, "You still drink a caffè macchiato al vetro?"
That woman in 101 and still working?!? I want what's she's having.
Seriously, I know you can't conclude too much from one person. But I think she must speak volumes about the virtues of community, staying active, and small town life.
Without a TV at home, I find myself easily distracted by one, whether it's at someone's house (I've found Italians often leave the TV on regardless of what they're doing), or even in the coffee bar, where I purposely pick a seat that doesn't offer a few of the television.
Yes! I also try to pick a seat in a restaurant or bar that does not let me see the television, because I find my eyes inevitably drawn to it if it is within sight.
Surprisingly, he rolled his eyes a little and made it. But it wasn't busy at that moment. But I want to know what it is. He used steam to make the glass hot. But the rest? I think it'd be a cappuccino with a bit more milk than usual and a bit less foam, served in a tall glass.
On a Saturday morning, I go and pick up cornetti for my parents. Sometimes I get a biscuit for my grandaughter or cornetti for my daughter and son outlaw as well, and I don't always know what their current favourites are. So I just ask the barista, because of course he knows!
And another thing I love is when you go to the bar and discover someone has already paid for your breakfast before you get there - not the paying it on thing, but: "Louise did me a favour, I'm paying for her breakfast when she comes in. What does she have?"
Aren't bars fantastic! There's one I go to when I want to be anonymous, and the other, the oldest in town, where they welcome you like a long lost friend. They know my family, where I live, about my renovations. I live for that.
I clearly remember when my bar, Terra Satis (the one in the last photo) learned my order. It was such a thrilling moment - I had suddenly become a local. When they closed for over six months for renovations, I switched to another bar, 404. The process was the same. There is also the regular customers who you see when you go at the same time every morning. A small community within the neighborhood.
In Trieste coffee is often served al vetro - the Triestini insist it tastes better in glass. I can’t tell the difference, but when in Trieste…
I knew that we had been accepted when the barista began putting aside our favorite brioche in case it sold out before we came in. In the north, a cornetto is a brioche.
I'm always astounded that no matter how busy the bar, the barista knows exactly who is walking in and out! I like your list of stages - so accurate.
Fun fact, we share the same coffee order....
Ha! This is going to make things confusing if we ever meet for a coffee, Glenda!
Do you ever say "caffè al vetro macchiato" (reversing the adjectives)? I used to do that sometimes and a barista said it made me sound uncultured. So I stopped.
What amazes me is how a barista can remember the coffee order of so many "regulars." A few weeks back I went to one of my former coffee bars in the neighborhood where I used to live. These people hadn't seen me since 2022. But after asking where I'd been and petting Mocha on the head, the first thing the barista asked was, "You still drink a caffè macchiato al vetro?"
That woman in 101 and still working?!? I want what's she's having.
Seriously, I know you can't conclude too much from one person. But I think she must speak volumes about the virtues of community, staying active, and small town life.
This is lovely. (Coming from another American in Italy who also hasn’t had a television in many years!)
Thank you, Michael.
Without a TV at home, I find myself easily distracted by one, whether it's at someone's house (I've found Italians often leave the TV on regardless of what they're doing), or even in the coffee bar, where I purposely pick a seat that doesn't offer a few of the television.
Does that happen to you?
Yes! I also try to pick a seat in a restaurant or bar that does not let me see the television, because I find my eyes inevitably drawn to it if it is within sight.
A half cappuccino and half caffè latte in a hot glass??? What did the barista do. I would have sent him to another bar!!
Surprisingly, he rolled his eyes a little and made it. But it wasn't busy at that moment. But I want to know what it is. He used steam to make the glass hot. But the rest? I think it'd be a cappuccino with a bit more milk than usual and a bit less foam, served in a tall glass.
On a Saturday morning, I go and pick up cornetti for my parents. Sometimes I get a biscuit for my grandaughter or cornetti for my daughter and son outlaw as well, and I don't always know what their current favourites are. So I just ask the barista, because of course he knows!
And another thing I love is when you go to the bar and discover someone has already paid for your breakfast before you get there - not the paying it on thing, but: "Louise did me a favour, I'm paying for her breakfast when she comes in. What does she have?"
Eric.....you are living the life I should have lived!!!! God Bless!!!
Aren't bars fantastic! There's one I go to when I want to be anonymous, and the other, the oldest in town, where they welcome you like a long lost friend. They know my family, where I live, about my renovations. I live for that.
I clearly remember when my bar, Terra Satis (the one in the last photo) learned my order. It was such a thrilling moment - I had suddenly become a local. When they closed for over six months for renovations, I switched to another bar, 404. The process was the same. There is also the regular customers who you see when you go at the same time every morning. A small community within the neighborhood.
Just love every bit of this!
Charming!
Still no TV? Haha
In Trieste coffee is often served al vetro - the Triestini insist it tastes better in glass. I can’t tell the difference, but when in Trieste…
I knew that we had been accepted when the barista began putting aside our favorite brioche in case it sold out before we came in. In the north, a cornetto is a brioche.