Aperitivo – start a good meal in style!

The idea must have come up when Sunday lunch wasn’t ready and the hungry mob couldn’t wait any longer. So serve them a fizzy drink accompanied by snack/finger food so the wait for the lasagne to be ready. The aperitivo best served in bars is a non alcoholic drink (usually Crodino or San Bitter red or white) with a slice of orange or lemon. Olives, crisps and/or peanuts go with it. Some bars have an extensive selection of finger food from bruschette and pates, pizza, artichokes and peppers in oil, mini tramezzini (Italian sandwich whose bread is considerably different, worth the try!), filo pastry with vegetables, fried vegetables, etc. Especially in the North of Italy the aperitivo has become so rich that it is now a nice alternative to lunch or dinner.
Obviously, the non alcoholic aperitivo can be replaced with an alcoholic drink of your choice, like Campari Soda, or with a glass of dry white wine or flute of chilled Prosecco.
For the best aperitivo in the area, try Bar Cancellieri in Cura di Vetralla. Around midday and again at 7 o’clock the counter is filled with all sorts of local delicatessen. Ask for your drink, fill up your dish, sit inside or outside and watch the little town’s life go by.