This Italian Restaurant Is Offering A Free Bottle Of Wine If You’re Willing To Do This

Would you go to an Italian restaurant that is offering a free bottle of wine if you're willing to do this? What is it?  It's putting your phone down, can you do it?

This would sound absurd to us let’s say 20 years ago before our phones got so smart. Before the arrival of iPhone and all the others, we would not have distractions at the table. Sure, you could always bring a book or something else to read at the table, but that was only used till everyone sat down for dinner.

Now we have this most powerful piece of technology created in the last  two decades at our fingertips. It’s all too easy to be distracted by all the information we can access in a millisecond.

So, why is this Italian restaurant offering a free bottle of wine if you’re willing to turn it off and turn it in? Probably because they are tired of seeing their diners sitting over a wonderful meal and gazing at their phones not their companions.

Most Americans have a hard time making it through a meal without pulling out their phones . . . even at a restaurant.  But many of us would gladly give that up, if we got a DISCOUNT.

There's a new restaurant in Italy that's trying something cool:  They're giving diners a FREE BOTTLE OF WINE . . . if you give up your phone when you come in.  They put it in a box, and it's even locked with a key, which they give to you.

The restaurant is in Verona, and it's called "Al Condominio."  They said they wanted to try something new . . . and they thought this would be a fun way to encourage diners to be more present with their companions.

Giving up your phone is OPTIONAL . . . but with a generous perk like a bottle of wine, they say the response has been "very positive," and most diners are taking them up on the offer.  (The Guardian)

The other day my daughter and I were talking about what our last meals would be if we could choose. (I know, a real positive father/daughter convo, huh?) We both decided that some good Italian is on our short lists. My love for Italian food is one of the reasons I never considered moving to or near Boston's North End. I love chicken parmesan too much. I fear what I'd look like after living there for six months of tiramisu for breakfast (because I would!).

Now that you know my blood type is marinara, you can imagine how excited I was when I came across Tasting Table's 2023 list of the 20 Best Italian Restaurants in the U.S. I was even more excited when I got that jolt of hometown pride when I saw that one of the 20 best in the country was right here in the good ol' Bay State.

There are currently over 60,000 Italian restaurants in the US, so being one of the Top 20 is a humongous accomplishment! And can we stop and drop our jaws in awe of that number? Over 60,000 Italian restaurants in America? That's over 1,200 per state!! Holy connoli!!

So grab your fork and your pasta twirler spoon and let's get to it - I'll give you some Massachusetts honorable mentions, these are some Italian restaurants you should definitely check out if you haven't already. We'll finish up with our Italian Restaurant Golden Child of Massachusetts (and I'll see you there this weekend - we'll be the ones there at 4pm to beat the rush, it's how we roll).

Where: Reading, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: chicken parm all day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KippUZKFnZY

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: Ahi Tuna Arrabbiata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87rbZ2WJL0g

Where: Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the Bolognese
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqvWjpw2h5Y

Where: Dorchester, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the pizzas are awesome!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziYRUSDIzCw

Where: Charlestown, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the Spicy Picci.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQPVCHpHT48

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: Gnocci
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNiXZdjngw

Where: Quincy, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: the atmosphere - take it in!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjnxIbmYTn4

Where: Gloucester, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: fresh pasta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivMY3Tt3ZhQ

Where: Amesbury, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: veal saltimbocca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL4rGQqSJ9Y

Where: North End of Boston, MA
Standout Dish Not to Be Missed: lobster, clams, and mussels over linguine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sev6pbEyM