Name:   architect - Subject:   Back from Tuscany.... Date:   9/23/2019 7:51:03 PM

YUM!  Have you ever had vin santo served after dessert?  At a place called ''Il Forncino'' (little furnace...because it is a former blacksmith) in Guazzino near Bettolle we were the only non-Italians in the place and the owner treated us like royalty.  After the meal he brought us zuppa-Inglese for dessert as a surprise and after that a dessert wine...vin santo which is served ice cold from the freezer with house made biscotti which we were instructed to dip in the wine!!  We were happy and stuffed and the last 2 courses were gratis.  In Dolo near Venice we stumbled on a restaurant where a family birthday party was underway.  We were not invited to the party but the owner did serve us samples of all the items being served to the party including those scampi done several ways and tiny local oysters served with a vinagar base sauce...again all without charge.  Sorry folks, but it would be very rare to have it happen in the good old USA.