The Love of the Italian Piazza by Piero Caramella

Before there was New York, there was pizza. Before there was pizza, there was Italy. And before there was Italy, there was the piazza. Italian for “square,” an open area surrounded by buildings, piazze have been the nuclei of Italian culture for thousands of years. An Italian goes to the piazza for company, coffee, shopping, news, debate, food, religion, family: anything and everything.

A piazza is a place where you can eat well, but also a place where the warmth of family and comradery is strongly felt. Every town in Italy has a piazza. It is the central point of the town, accessible not by just one or two roads, but many. Unlike the American grid system, it is instead like a sun with radiating avenues.

And just like the sun, the day starts and ends there. When you go to the piazza in the morning, you’ll see the older people arrive first to enjoy espresso and morning conversation. As the day goes on, everyone joins at some point or another, whether for lunch, dinner or relaxation throughout the day. Almost all piazze have a café and a bar, with living space above, and a church. In between is where the people live: shopping in the regularly held markets and talking politics near the fountains.

Locals argue about the football (soccer) game or they argue about the Prime Minister or the President; it looks as if they are going to fight, but they never do. Italians are very passionate and expressive, so to an outsider, it may look like they are going to hit each other at any moment. To a local, it indicates there is something interesting to hear about. Each person has their own opinion and they all know about politics; they all have their own solutions. Italians have very strong ties, so it’s easier to trust the family.

Through this passion and debate, the food and the families, the fabric of Italian culture is strengthened. Everyone should experience the Piazza way of life at least once… nothing is too serious that can’t be mended by espresso, wine and pasta.

About The Author

Piero Caramella is an award-winning, veteran restaurateur with a 30-year history of opening and managing successful restaurants and cocktail lounges in Europe. With a passion for food and people, Caramella has spent decades perfecting the craft of creating restaurants that turn dining into a pleasurable and memorable event.

Visit the author's web site at:
http://www.divinorestaurant.com