Palmabella's Passions

For several months, Slow Travel friend, Jerry, from Canada and I have joked about being "twins separated at birth". We both enjoy travel to Italy, cooking, baking, shopping, entertaining, and seem to think alike on various topics. Around the holidays, several people pointed out these similarities, and we coincidentally both started blogs, besides sharing recipes on the Food Forum. It is always fun to meet a Slow Travel friend in person, and find that they are exactly the way you think and hope they will be from your message board, trip report, chat room experiences. Today I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry in person.

I drove to Pasadena right after work, to the Westin Hotel, across the street from where Brad works. Brad checked us in, unloaded the car (I had wine protectors for Jerry, and three scrapbooks to share), and returned to work. Jerry met me a few minutes later in ther lobby, and we talked non-stop for the next two hours, barely coming up for air! He brought a wonderful "Canadian Goodie Bag" full of treats, maple syrup, and even Ice Wine! Soon, Brad joined us after work, and we walked to the Heratige Wine Bar/Wine Shop.

We met Marcia and David for a glass of vino, and just as we were leaving, we were joined by Kathy as we walked a block to Cafe Bizou for dinner. We arrived at 7, and "closed the place", at 11 p.m.. Three bottles of red wine were enjoyed by everyone but me, the token white wine drinker. David shared a favorite from Paso Robles, Jerry brought a bottle from Canada, and Brad shared a Pinot Noir. I drank a wee bit too much Pinot Grigio, passing my two glass usual comsumption!

Our food was wonderful, but the conversation at the table was even better! We laughed, told travel stories, discussed past and future GTGs, and talked about our favorite obsession...Slow Travel, that brought us all together!

What a delightful evening!

Check out more photos of us and our entrees!