That Italian Place

There is an italian restaurant that Jack and I walk by whenever we go to the U-Bahn, the grocery store, or on one of our many walks. We refer to it as "That Italian Place." We have been there once. The food was decent; nothing spectacular.

"That Italian Place" is an interesting restaurant because they are always open, yet never seem to have patrons. Other restaurants will be mostly full, but this place is empty, save the owners and one of their sons. We know the owners by their faces because they are always seen smoking outside and the boy is always running things between a car and the restaurant. It is one of the few restaurants in our area that have a "Raucher Raum" (Smoking room), and when we do see people, they are usually in there. Jack and I have always wondered how "That Italian Place" has managed to stay in business when no one is ever eating there.

Things have changed over the last week. In case you didn't know, there is this huge soccer tournament going on in the world called, The World Cup (GO USA!). Ok, I know that you know this, but I don't know if you know how important and popular this tournament is in the world outside of America. Think of the Superbowl on crack, but like leap year, it only happens once every 4 years. Pretty crazy, right? Fans cheering and televisions echo in the usually quiet streets as restaurants and homes play the games. Now, with 3 games every night, bars, restaurants, and biergartens are packed, including "That Italian Place."

Jack and I were amazed as their previously stained chalkboard menu that was never changed got a makeover. The blackboard now features a new menu with new specials and actual photographs to go along with their description. There are new waiters/waitresses who have been seen drawing little soccer men on their new World Cup Happy Hour Specials board. There is a huge flat screen in the restaurant that has an average of 15 people crowded around it when a game is going on, with other people eating in/outside the restaurant. Their food smells and looks pretty good! I wonder if this will keep up after the World Cup is over? Sadly, we may never know if "That Italian Place" will continue to stay in business, because we leave for the US in 11 days. Manuel, you will have to keep us posted!