Isn’t it funny how towards the end of an extended stay somewhere, time seems to syphon faster and faster before your very eyes?  That has certainly been the case for me these past couple of weeks in Sorrento.  The time has come for me to say goodbye to this charming city by the bay; a city that has been so welcoming to me from the first day I arrived back in April.  Thinking back on these few months, I realize how much I have learned during my stay—culinary and otherwise.  I have learned a lot about myself, a lot about a new culture, and a lot about the joys of seeing beauty in everyday things.  All pieces of knowledge that have made me a stronger person overall.  I have to say I am proud of myself for all that I have accomplished during my externship here, and I cherish having had this opportunity through Le Cordon Bleu.

For one of my last dinners in town, I decided to go back to Ristorante Angelina Lauro.  A local restaurant in Piazza Lauro that Scott and I discovered our first night back in April.  I thought it would be appropriate to dine there again; sort of like bookends to mark the beginning and end of my stay in Sorrento.  A delightful restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking a bustling town square, that serves a variety of regional specialties.  I set my sights on a vegetarian antipasti plate and one of my favorite pastas of all time—a simple dish of al dente spaghetti tossed in an olive oil, garlic, and chili pepper sauce with a garnish of fresh parsley.  Both of which went nicely with a crisp glass of white wine and a couple pieces of warm, homemade crusty bread.

The next day when Scott arrived in Sorrento, I had a celebratory lunch of caprese panini and a bottle of bubbly Prosecco waiting.  A toast was in order to mark the end of my externship, as well as the beginning of our much-anticipated Italian adventure together!  The weather was slightly windy and perfectly warm, so we decided to walk into town late afternoon for a drink at my favorite local bar, and then onto the Villa Fiorentino to see the amazing Salvador Dali exhibit running for the next couple of months.  An extraordinary collection of some of Dali’s drawings, brass sculptures, and other unique items.  And the view from the Villa of the city itself, remarkable.

After the gallery we wandered down to the Marina Grande and enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Da Emilia.  I local, beachside restaurant that specializes in its rustic atmosphere and delicious seafood dishes.  We enjoyed steamed mussels with lemon, a whole roasted sea bass with fresh herbs, fried calamari, and an insalata mista.  I’m so excited to have Scott here on my last night in this special town; and even more excited for our journey onto the Isle of Capri tomorrow morning.

So it is time to say, ‘Arrivederci Sorrento!’  Good bye for now; and I hope to visit you again in years to come.

Tagged: culinary school, externship, Italy, Sorrento