IYBC Discovers Europe #14: Cinema Paradiso

Traveling Europe with a pair of impeccably dressed and extremely good-looking locals definitely has its perks, obviously. Euro-FF and Vince were the perfect guides, taking me to the dopest places, that looked like crap from the outside, but offered breath-taking views once inside. Cinema Paradiso falls perfectly into this category. From the street, it looked like a typical little cafe, tucked on a cobble-stoned street facing a series of canals. From the image above, you can imagine my thoughts as I stepped inside to supposedly try “the best milkshake of my life”. Once through the initial alcove, you’re perception changes drastically. Click Continue Reading to behold what I saw:

We arrived a tab bit early then the usual Friday night crowd, so I really got to soak in all the intricacies of this not-so-humble abode of fine wines, fresh baked Italian breads and aged cheeses. The owner, who spoke Dutch, English and Italian (and who knows what else) cordially escorted us to a table, and it felt like a different world. The staff and cooks (who were situated in one of those in-the-dining-room-facing-the-guests sort of kitchen) were speaking Italian, and having mini meetings here and there, preparing for their dinner rush. We had just popped in for a drink, and I finally took my first step into the world of Red Wine, served with olives and cheese. That milkshake that Vince was talking about is some hand-mixed concoction with liquor mixed in (I believe its some sort of liqueur?) which you can’t even taste. It was such a warm, but chic atmosphere in that place, I can only imagine what it must be like to actually spend a few hours, over a few plates of food, some glassesbottles of wines, and with dope company to help you loose track of the time.