I kicked off Valentine’s Day this year the best way possible - with all the most absurd 80s love music, pizza, maybe a negroni or two, and bubbles, oh the bubbles…
Lovers and singles alone don’t ever know what to do with this holiday. But, I do - it’s another excuse to be ridiculous! Drink a bunch of wine, eat chocolates Elle Woods style (aka throwing them at your TV,) and make regretful decisions after a bottle or two of wine…we know the drill.
Here on my Slutti Substack - though - I’m bringing you the loveliest San Valentino things, like my favorite Italian love songs and poems to the spots in Verona that could have solved all of Juliet’s problems, if she just took a breathe and had a martini.
Not to blame astrology, but it’s just the perfect excuse. My staunch astrology friends will say that we are still in the age of Aquarius or whatever, but sorry honey I am a proud Pisces. And if we Pisces love anything it’s love and MUSIC. So, I had to put together my favorite Italian love songs into one playlist. It spans decades and genres but is mostly oldies that know how to pluck your soul’s nostalgia and melancholy chords.
Snag the playlist:
Debunking Romeo and Juliet
Now you have a nice playlist so allow me to hit you with the cold hard truth -
Juliet’s balcony never actually existed folks. Yup, all the longing you did for your Romeo from your balcony was for nothing. There wasn’t even any specific reference to any balcony in Shakespeare’s text. The one in Verona was created by Hollywood and - get this - Mussolini’s son-in-law.
Fascist balcony? Not starting that argument on the day of love. But, Shakespeare’s love of fiction, fantasy, and tragedy would have made him an all-star Valentine’s Day marketeer.
What Wine Should You Be Drinking for San Valentino?
If you’re an 80s band, you’ll be sipping the tears of your lovers. If you’re me, it’s champagne.
Yes, I know, it’s not Italian…I just really can’t think of anything that makes me the silliest and happiest no matter the weight of my heart. My recommendation is any Larmandier Bernier bottle (I love their Terre de Vertus Premiere Cru Non Dosé) and - if you can manage to find this one - Louis Nicaise Premier Cru Extra-Brut Millesime. It’s sexy.
4 Spots in Verona that Would Have Solved Juliet’s Broken Heart
It’s 2023. Even if you’re star-crossed lovers, there is no need for duels or double suicides. Here are 4 places that will make your heart chipper that have nothing to do with Romeo or Juliet, the Montegues or the Capulets, or putting a damn lock on a bridge.
Flego - Dreaming with a broken heart? Take your John Mayer-level depression straight to Flego in the morning. Head to the bar where you can get all googly eyed at delicious treats instead of your old camera roll. Order a caffè and a giant slice of nadalin if it’s still available. What’s nadalin? Just pandoro and panettone’s sexy cousin. At Flego, they slice it with layers of delicious pastry cream. If it’s not available, any of Flego’s decadent treats will do. And, don’t be shy to take something for later too - their branding is just the cutest and you’ll feel extra special swinging your little pink bag around in the streets.
Salumeria Gironda - Bet you didn’t know you needed a picnic for one, fit with all the cheese and salumi your heart desires. This special spot fills a basket with all the good charcuterie things, and you can even add a bottle of bubbles to smash too. Of course, I say be careful with drinking if you’re dealing with a broken heart. But, who doesn’t need a good cathartic cry overlooking the river with bubbles in hand? Yes, you will take your little basket right to their riverfront terrazza, overlooking the lovely Ponte Pietra. Throw your phone in the river, I don’t care. Just don’t jump in. Instead, take your newfound pride from all the bubbles and stroll across Ponte Pietra to the next rec… P.S. Here you should snag a bottle of Durello - local sparkling wine. Cheers!
Bastione Mura - While everyone goes to Castel San Pietro to savor the beauty of Verona, my friend Ells says to not torment yourself with the cheesy teenagers making out. Rather, head to this special spot.“You walk along the walls of the city and walk up quite a big hill, which is a burner that will distract from your pain and also make your bum look better. You do have to walk past a convent - though - which may remind you of your future and what could happen. But, you’ll quickly forget as you see the sweeping views of Verona’s beautiful landscape, helping you see that there’s a much bigger and beautiful picture in life.”
Enobocconi - As you can probably tell - in my world - bubbles make everything better. Finish off your evening in the coziest Enobocconi. Located on Corso Porta Nuova, it’s comfortably away from the social anxiety-inducing crowds and all the Romeo & Juliet saps. Instead, you’ll be nestled among endless bottles of wine, epic local bites, and the loveliest hospitality. Their champagne selection is top-quality, and there’s even lumache or snails to match. Post up and pretend you’re in Paris, popping into new cities like that BAM. I am just playing, no need to pose. But, seriously, just have fun here. They make you feel right at home.
Grand finale: a few stanzas from my man Ungaretti that will tug at thy heart-strings
Was going to translate it, but realize that’s your homework, cuties. Learn some Italian with tear-jerking poetry. Why not?
Sei comparsa al portone
in un vestito rosso
per dirmi che sei fuoco
che consuma e riaccende.
Una spina mi ha punto
delle tue rose rosse
perché succhiasse al dito,
come già tuo, il mio sangue.
Percorremmo a strada
che lacera il rigoglio
della selvaggia altura,
ma già da molto tempo
sapevo che soffrendo con temeraria fede,
l'età per vincere non conta.
Era di lunedì,
per stringerci le mani
e parlare felici
non si trovò rifugio
che in un giardino triste
della città convulsa.
- Giuseppe Ungaretti