Venetian Crab Sandwich – tramezzino al granchio

Author Notes

After a tiring trip from Rome to Mestre, our GPS had us drive in circles. “Turn right” the female voice kept saying but the street was blocked off with concrete posts. “Turn right, now!” she seemed to get frustrated with us for not turning and then finally gave up: “you have arrived at your destination.” As if. Thank goodness our faithful BAM (Big A$$ Map, as we affectionately call it) showed us the way to our hotel. The unfriendly receptionist and the first ten minutes of figuring out how the light switches work, which left us feeling dim-witted**, didn’t ruin our excitement about visiting Venice.

We freshened up quickly and within minutes were sitting on a train to the islands. More importantly, I was going to meet my childhood friend whom I last saw some 35 years ago and who graciously offered to be our tour guide. She and her Italian husband drove from Trieste just to spend an afternoon with us. I have the best friends in the whole world! We had lots to see and lots to catch up on in one afternoon.

Tired and hungry we arrived at the restaurant they recommended as the best in town. I was ready to eat a whole cow. The display at the counter offered only tea sandwiches. What? This is famous Venice food? Politely, we simulated enthusiasm and ordered an assortment of sandwiches. To this day, and we were there last June, we still talk about those sandwiches. Not because we were disappointed, on the contrary, they were the best dog gone sandwiches we ever ate, in particular the ones stuffed with crab meat!

**In most Italian hotels light switches, and power in general, only work when the room key is left in the door! How clever is that? You won't leave the lights on when you leave and you won't lock yourself out. —Jas