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Croatia doesn't need makup since it would mess with perfection. If Croatia was a meat market it would be the prime rib. Croatia can I buy you a drink or do you just want my money?
I guess all I'm trying to say is we're loving Croatia. There's so many things to write about from our visit to Plitvice National Park and Split, but the real topper was the time we spent in Zadar with a couple from Amagansett, NY of all places.
We were wandering around the upper lakes at Plitvice when we ran into them when they asked us if we could take their picture. After some banter we found out we had a NY connection. Turns out they own a restaurant and pizzeria in Amagansett called Astro Pizza and Felice's Restaurant - http://astrospizza.com/.
During our conversation they invited us to their house in Zadar, a town on the way to where we were going, Split. Nado is originally from Zadar and moved to NY in '75. Oh BTW, he didn't just move, he left when the country was under communist rule and it was his time to serve in the military. The devil is in the details. He met his wife, Alda, who's from Italy, and they have three sons who all went to Adelphi. They are all teachers now and work at the restaurant. Their restaurant was written about in Newsday and they've served many celebs given they are in East Hampton. It's a total family business.
On our drive from Plitvice to Split we decided to take the detour and head 30 minutes west towards the Adriatic. We arrived in the lovely town and called them. They promptly met us and took us back to their house. Along with their two houses in Amagansett they have houses in Croatia along with a castle, but that's a story for another time.
When we arrived at their house it was like visiting my Mom. Alda whipped up pasta bolognese, sausage, salad, bread, and dessert in the blink of an eye. It was delicious. Nado shared with us the incredible history of his family in Croatia.
After eating they gave us a full tour of the city. Zadar lies right along the Adriatic so it's blessed with the most incredible sunsets. Just ask Alfred Hitchcock who said so much. One of the beautiful things about the city is the water organ you can hear as you're walking along the sea. It plays sounds as the water from the sea swirls in and out below.
Having this once in a lifetime experience was a total stroke of luck. It makes me think about all the other incredible places I'll never know about unless I meet hospitable and generous people like my new friends from Amagansett. For those of you on LI who read this please go visit their restaurant and tell them Amy, Anthony Celeste, and Nina sent you. I really hope someday to have a chance to eat some more of their delicious cooking and share more wonderful stories with them.
- comments
Betsy Crawford Sounds absolutely, 100% perfect! Love the photo of the four of you! Amy and Anthony...you have exactly the same hairstyle!
Elaine Herbst What a great experience!
Markus Valko Will have to stop by the restaurant next time I go by NY.