Aylesbury, England

[skysidhe]

This thread gives me a smile.

[TheMercenary]

Yea!!! Thanks Sundae! I love your pics!

[Sundae]

I was very surprised on Thursday afternoon when Mum said they were going to take me for lunch on Friday. She said (more than once) that we could go wherever I wanted, it was my choice.

Well I assumed this pretty much meant Wetherspoons, as it had to be town centre and we would be on a budget. In fact, even if not on a budget it would have to be a pub as we all have overlapping food tastes and need a wide selection of dishes.

Given my lack of answer (aside from a genuine thanks) Mum decided for us. We went to the new Italian restaurant in Kingsbury. More expensive than I would have considered, because it's an independent, and is owned and managed and run by the same people, so not a chain.

We had a great time!
Mum said it was the last of Grandad's money, and he would have wanted them to treat me.
No arguments from me

I bought us a bottle of Prosecco to kickstart the party.

[Sundae]

Dads didn't fancy a starter, but when Mum & I saw sardines on the menu we decided to share.
Then, so Dad didn't feel left out we ordered Garlic and Cheese Pizza bread.

Both were yummy, and we even persuaded Dad to have a piece of sardine.
In fact I wonder if this was a standard portion or whether they cooked three because we were a table of three...?

Have since learned the name of the restaurant and should therefore include it - La Salute, Kingsbury, Aylesbury. Excellent Italian restaurant.

[Sundae]

Dad had ravioli (I think). He seemed to enjoy it anyway - he was the only person able to finish his dish, and his appetite has shrunk so much over the last few years that it's a real compliment. He is waiting for black pepper in the photo, hence his slight look of wary trepidation.

Mum had Penne Salmona, which I remember having vodka in it!

Following my experience in Sapporo Teppanyaki, I asked about doggy bags early on. Once I knew we could take away the remains I just settled on enjoying what I wanted there and then.

[Sundae]

And I had Pizza Americano, which was huge and lovely.
It's real Italian style pizza, so the toppings are limited. Not a complaint, but ideally I'd have liked onions as well. And probably pineapple. I am such a philistine.

It was great as it was though, and I'm glad I didn't mess with it.

So here we are, en famille.
We had a lovely meal - the staff were attentive and kind. The final picture was obviously taken by our waitress.
We had Limoncello afterwards, and she poured with a liberal hand. I also ordered another Limoncello (when we were settling the bill and Mum was in the toilet) and it came gratis. What a lovely gesture when we were first time customers!

I would like to go back. Now I'm off to have pizza for breakfast. Nom nom nom.

[Sundae]

Just as I was uploading the last photos, Mum called up the stairs.
"Can I bin that pasta and pizza now? Only it's stinking my fridge out."
Sigh.

I responded cheerily, to say that I would be down to eat it shortly (I always wait for them to eat first on a non-school day). I also added jovially that it couldn't be worse than the BBQ chicken they had last week, which left me reeling at 06.45 when I opened the fridge. Garlic and anise and all the rest.

She really just wants it gone because I didn't have it for tea last night and she worries she won't be able to start loading the fridge with Christmas food. I'm going to decant the pasta into a different container as my SIL, E will love it - they're coming round tonight. The pizza might be mine alone to tackle though.

[TheMercenary]

You look more happy as a family in those pics than you have described in previous posts. Well done. Looks like everyone was in a cheery mood and it was drama free. Nice pics and thanks for sharing.

[zippyt]

Looks like a Nice time !!
Tell Dadz to eat up !!!!!

[Sundae]

Merc, I am probably the most sensitive member of the family.
I try not to be, and I try to get over perceived slights and insults.
I don't always do very well.

This Christmas we are all making an effort to get on and enjoy eachother's company, because of Grandad's death. We raised two toasts to him yesterday - the first came from me. I could see Mum was equally upset and grateful. She needs to know we remember him too, and loved him, but the fact of losing her father hurts of course. She raised the second over the Limoncello.

And here's another one:
To Jim Doyle - a hard working family man who adored spectacle, but was happiest watching it from the wings.

Mum can be a cow sometimes. It's true. It might be that her friends think I am insensitive to her needs too - I do catch myself out sometimes and realise it is the case. But we are a family. I can live with my parents and that has to credit all three of us (mostly them).

I'm glad we look happy. We were. And it was completely drama-free.
It was a good meal and I did have pizza for brunch and it was good.

[York]

Everything and everyone looks great!
hhhmmm Pizza.....

[BigV]

Pizza for breakfast, classic, just classic. You and your family look wonderful, and a delicious drama free family meal is hard to beat. I raise my glass with you!

[Trilby]

That pizza Americano looks fab. I'm glad they named it after us.

Isn't that weird, though? A truly authentic pizza made by Italians and they call it Americano? Looks absolutely yummy, though.

[Gravdigr]

That was a preeety good-looking pizza.

[classicman]

Originally Posted by Brianna

Isn't that weird, though? A truly authentic pizza made by Italians and they call it Americano? Looks absolutely yummy, though.

The Italian pizza my family makes is square, I think the round is Americano.