Our neighbors asked us to go for a walk with them, and as we were strolling around we all got a bit hungry. Thank goodness that the ‘aperitivo’ exists here or I would never make it to dinner without fainting.
The Aperitivo
The ‘aperitivo’ comes at that perfect before-dinner hour, when you are feeling peckish but are still out and about. In Canada “dinner time” was never later than 6 pm in my house growing up, then at some point when I became a “real person” it was around 7 / 7:30.
But nothing could have prepared me for the 8:30 / 9 dinner time in Italy. Somedays I just can’t stave off my hunger. When I was working in an office I would bring my dinner to work with me since the restaurants here DON’T EVEN OPEN BEFORE 7:30 pm!! You can’t even imagine the horror, the disgust, the disbelief that co-workers had of me sitting at my computer with a tupperware of leftovers, happily eating away.
That isn’t how Italians roll. Leftovers are rarely eaten, dinners should be prepared and shared.
That is why the aperitivo exists, because they are hungry too, they just don’t want to admit it. So you leave work, head to a “bar”, which is actually similar to a North American cafe and you order a cocktail. Along with your cocktail comes free snacks, like mini-pizzas, sandwiches, chips and olives. Some places even offer a mini-buffet with cold pastas and rice, cheeses and roasted vegetables.
You go with friends and chat about your day and at some point people start to go their separate ways. Families head back home to start making their official dinner, and couples head out to restaurants (since they have more disposable income!).
Those snacks won’t stave off hunger completely, but they will get you through to 8:30 or 9pm when you can settle down to a proper dinner with style.
Mon Cafè
On this particular occasion we found ourselves at the Mon Cafè for an aperitivo. Even though it is a little chilly outside (I won’t dare call it cold) we decided to stay out on the outdoor heated patio. We closed the strollers and let the kids sit on the nice benches with us, and enjoyed our cocktails and snacks.
I wore my massive scarf by the brand Best Behavior (see what I wore here), which keeps me SO WARM, it is pretty much a blanket that you can wear and call a scarf.
I remember the Mon Cafè when it opened in 2009, I was so happy to find a pretty little brunch place for Sundays. The decor inside is very inviting, just like sitting in someone’s well-gromed home. The atmosphere is warm, with lots of beautiful details, and it helps that the cocktails are fantastic and the snacks are yummy.
The Canals of Modena
Located at 128 Corso CanalChiaro, one of the things that really draws me to this part of town is the idea that this street used to be a canal. In fact the entire downtown core of Modena was once filled with canals similar to how you would imagine Venice.
This fascinates me a lot, and even though I’m not really a history person I am drawn to want to understand more about the antique origins of the city. Recently I bought 4 discounted books about the story of Modena, and from what I understand the canals existed from the very beginnings of the city with the Etruscans in the 8th century BC (about 800 – 700 B.C.) to just after the Renaissance period, when, in the 17th century (1600s) they were filled to prevent the city from flooding and to create a more residential and urban centre.
I found these picture online from an excavation that was done downtown that shows that under the everyday streets there is a whole complex canal system … and that is just cool!
Modena e l’acqua: sistema idraulico e fognario, a cura di Giovanni Bartoli, Comune di Modena, 2003.
This is the street Corso Canalchiaro then
and now….
The only thing you should note about the Mon Cafè is that it isn’t very large, so if you have a massive stroller you’ll either want to stay outside on the patio where there is more space or talk to the waiters about where the best spot is for you to “park”. Certainly there ARE people with strollers in there, but you may want to bring your small travel one and not your deluxe limo stroller.
I saw this stylish new mom coming out with a big massive stroller, so I guess they do fit, but I would feel more comfortable without, personally.
Where do you go out with friends during these long, dark cold winter months?
