Google Never Walked

 The 2.5 mile hike straight up the mountain was taxing. But it was my favorite adventure of the entire trip. So much, that we did it again. But this time we had a specific goal.

The first time, we ended up at a previously unknown restaurant with delicious food. Tony, super restaurant expedition-er found the highest rated on the entire Amalfi Coast restaurant in the small village of Montepertuso. Run by a family, sister chefs who made glorious food, Tony made reservations. We could've taken the bus, but we wanted to make the imposing hike one more time. This time, I would wear a wet bathing suit underneath my outer clothes and change when we arrived.

The preparation for the evening began with Tony's initial inquiry and Rosita's confirmation: 

We are pleased to confirm your reservation at our family-run restaurant for a table for 2 people.

We kindly request you to provide us with a contact phone number where we can text you on the day of your reservation. Thank you for choosing our restaurant.
We look forward to welcoming you at Donna Rosa soon. Have a wonderful day!

Rosida Villani

Correspondence #2

Dear Tony,
Thank you so much for your prompt response. Please don't walk up from Positano, it's  a never ending staircase and the  temperature is too high especially in late afternoon.
Google says it's a 20 minute walk but google never walked in Positano.

Tony's response to Rosida: 

Thanks for the warning. We actually walked up the new stairs (the steeper stairs), side to
Montepertuso yesterday and it was quite a climb and we want to do it
again. We will give ourselves plenty of time.

Rosida responds; 

Dear Tony,
 If you did it already and you want to do it again, you'll deserve 2 orders of pasta and 4 desserts!
 Looking forward to welcoming you at Donna Rosa tomorrow.
Have a fantastic day!
Rosida Villani

And that is the sole reason why we did in fact have two desserts. Not four, but two. 

For antipasti, a delicious white bean soup.

Happy Tony

Homemade tagliano with fresh truffles

The chefs in the beautiful kitchen

Even the bread basket had a touch of beauty

Tony's pork medallions...with mashed potatoes that were of a consistency not consistent with real life. I can taste them now. It's almost cruel to eat such exquisite potatoes knowing I will never have anything so sublime, ever again.

Hot lava cake with a deep chocolate burst of flavor

Never a fan of panna cotta, Tony convinced me that in such a super--quality Italian kitchen, we had this one opportunity to taste the real, real, real, thing. It was heavenly. Fresh vanilla flecks abounded in the creamiest concoction ever. It has ruined me for life as I will never order panna cotta in the states again. I will remember this panna cotta forever.

It was dark by the time we finished our incredible meal. We pondered asking for their car service or more likely taking the bus back to Positano, but no, we wanted to walk. We suspected the path was lit but with flashlights on our phones, we were covered.

It was a quiet, soft evening. Humid and warm, but we caught a breeze almost around every corner. The yachts in the Tyrrhenian Sea below were lit bright and were a spellbinding view. 

And then the first surprise! Fireworks. Poppin below us. Tony pointed out that we'd never before had fireworks below us. And then the marching band! As the marching band played, the church bells started to ring. Such a combination from a heavenly viewpoint.

We later learned that it was that neighborhoods's celebration of the Saint San Joaquin.

But here is the thing... the thing that sticks from this three day experience. It never would have happened if we hadn't ventured up the hill. The stairs were difficult. But fortunately Mandi and Tony persisted. Ezra and I followed. And after Mandi left, Tony found the second restaurant. If we  hadn't pushed to the very end, we would have never ended the night on such a beautiful note. 

So push. Do not be afraid of hard things. They always have their reward.