The Italian Gob

Walk this Albert way…

t was, we knew, only a matter of time that GG would find in this universe proof that not all Italian cafe owners are grumpy, snarky, cantankerous old goats.

And today, with the sun breaking through the October clouds like a hand reaching down from the sky, pointing towards the Albert Walk in Bray, be the holy, we found it.

We’d been to Caffé Letterario GattaNera before, this homely café managing to be healthy and hippy without all that the clappy-happy. All the food is naturally sourced, free from dodgy additives and incredibly tasty.

And so, it would seem, are the staff, the three laughing ladies serving GG – and Max – this afternoon full of the joys of life, love and good food.

When was the last time someone felt that way walking into ?

The glance up from the coffee machine that suggests that you’ve just walked in on a man long over due his afternoon nap. The slap of the knife and fork on your table. The silent roll of the eyes when you ask if the chips are free range. The fixed stare, deep into your eyes, daring you to complain when Tommaso makes you an omlette you can’t refuse.

Even though you ordered the fry-up.

So, it was a joy and then some to find some of the man’s fellow Italia natives in the same line of work but – mamma agus mia! – actually happy in their work.

We managed to corner the lovely Antonelle – who opened Caffé Letterario two years ago – to try and find out just what we poor Greystonians can do about turning that great big Tommaso frown upside down…

You can find out about that Wednesday, 18th Oct talk on Inspector Montalbano creator Andrea Camilleri right here. Now, go vote for your favourite Greystones coffee here.