This falls under, "how cool is that?" and I just had to share. Over the long weekend, Alex and I spent some time meandering around Yorkville, poking into flower shops, small boutiques and new stores that recently opened. This is called research.

On our way back to the car, I noticed a tiny new Italian espresso bar called Zaza. I was carrying cut roses we had purchased from the flower markets on Avenue Rd ($12 for 12 roses!), so I was anxious to get home and put them in water, but I couldn't resist because it was exactly like the espresso bars David Rocco talks about in my favourite cookbook in the world, David Rocco's Dolce Vita.

Owner Raffaele was singing and dancing as he worked the machine, churning out two velvety espresso macchiato, served Italian style with a small glass of water on the side. As I mentally started writing my review ( I do this all the time now whether I remember to write it down or not), I noticed a group of older Italian gentlemen sitting outside and a younger guy that looked just like David Rocco in the center of it all. I commented to Raffaele that his espresso bar was just like what I'd read in this cook book and that the guy outside looks just like David Rocco. "Ya, that's him! We grew up in the same town together! He's my good friend!"

I couldn't resist the opportunity to introduce myself and he was so kind. I felt like a bit of a boob interrupting the conversation but given the circumstances, can you blame me? ;)