29. Stellar Review

[XAVIER]

“Elena and Francesca are planning a sleepover at Elena, do you think I can go, papa?” Hazel asks, as she steals another bite of pasta from my plate, completely ignoring her burger and fries that are going cold, no doubt.

We are sitting in on the rooftop dining at Bella Italia which gives a fabulous view of the Venetian lagoon and St. Mark’s Square. Gondolas line the nearby dock as the sun gets ready to set behind the horizon. The air feels cooler than usual for a summer day, and the restaurant’s soft chatter blends with the songs coming from the passing boats.

There are families and couples all around us but it’s still more peaceful than most of the Italian eating joints nearby. After my three days business trip wrapped up yesterday, I landed in Venice this morning and the first thing I did was to take my daughter for dinner. We chose Hazel’s favorite restaurant. One of her friend’s fathers owns this place but she likes the food and as well as the scenic view it offers during