Since we have arrived late this evening, and we are not very hungry, we ask our waiter for some recommendations for a light meal. He suggests that we share a salad, then have some soup and dessert. Sounds great to us!

We decide to share the capprece insalata (a salad of beautifully ripe tomatoes with a soft mozerrella cheese made from buffalo milk, and topped with fresh basil, capers, olive oil, salt and pepper). Although we've enjoyed this salad before in Italy, the capers are a different and welcome addition. The large salad is definitely enough for two to share.

Next we each order a bowl of white bean soup. It arrives and our waiter quickly drizzles a bit of olive oil over the top. It has the consistency of a smooth, heavy cream and is wonderfully aromatic, although I'm unable to identify exactly which herbs are used. A totally satisfying soup, which I've tried to reproduce in my own kitchen (unfortunately unsuccessfully--next time, I will ask if they will share the recipe).

For dessert we order just one order of Fragoli (fresh strawberries). They arrive topped with a soft cream and obviously soaked in amaretto. An absolutely WONDERFUL end and adequate for 2 people to share. We each order coffee, and our host and his wife come to our table to welcome the 'Americani' they tell us they have friends who live 'near you--in California--do you know them??' (not realizing that California is a MIGHTY big place!!).

Since my husband likes red wine and I prefer white, we ordered only house wines by the glass with our meal. The wines were quite acceptable. We thanked our hosts for a lovely evening and their fine food. The total cost for this meal was less than $30 US dollars!! Definitely a wonderful Meal!!