Fratelli Foods

Prior to our February 5 Crawl, it had been three months since we've visited a new coffee shop; revisits have been the norm.  However, thanks to the ever watchful eye of Leanne Waller, our Crawl #162 took place at the newest coffee shop in PE.

Fratelli, located on Alabaster St. in Baakens Valley, opened its doors in mid January of this new year.  Owner Michelle Puggia has been a distributor of Fratelli Italians Foods for a number of years and decided to expand her business to include the cutest little coffee shop in town.

The only way I can think of to describe Fratelli is "Italian Rustic."  With seating at tables and bars surrounded by Italian goodies, continental wines and liquers, and fun old black and white photos of "the fam," up to thirty patrons can be treated to one of the best cappuccinos in town.  Barista Pique whips up not only cappuccinos but a variety of coffee specialties using Fratelli's own blend of La Dolce Vita brand coffee.  A selection of other hot and cold beverages along with cakes, baked goods, light lunches and deli items make up the menu that appears chalkboard style at the entrance to the shop.

Meet the Owner
Michelle Puggia

Everything looks yum, but as aside......when Leanne and I made our scoping out trip to Fratelli to make the February 5 Crawl reservation I ordered the chicken and butternut salad......probably the best salad I've had in my life.......no kidding!

PE residents, a visit to Fratelli, our town's newest coffee shop, is a must!!!!!
Fratelli's hours are Mon-Sat, 7:30-4.

Meet the Barista
Pique

It was nice for the Crawlers to visit a new shop after so many revisits.  The excitement was palpable as Crawlers June Nash, Leanne Waller, Nomusa Nkomo. Jenny Fowler, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Sylvia Mynhardt, Gail Darne, Margaret and Arthur Marshall, Margaret Zoetmulder, Colleen Le Roux Nicolette Hijmans, Pierrette De Winne and her daughter Nathalie settled in for the first February Crawl of 2015.

February 5 Crawlers
Beryl, Sylvia, Gail, Nomusa,
Pierrette, Nathalie, Nicolette

More of Thursday's Crawlers
Arthur, Margaret M., Margaret Z., Jenny,
Leanne, Stella, Gail, Colleen, June

Now, after just about four years of Crawling we've certainly had conversation repeats but I believe that Thursday's topic was a first.  Our discussion on the Six Degrees of Separation (theory developed in 1929) started after Gail revealed that her son and his fiancee recently had the opportunity to be photographed with Barack and Michelle Obama.  Sooooooooo, does that mean the Crawlers are all 3 degrees from the President of the USA?  Well, why stop there?   After we all shared various almost famous people we or family members have met, and after much deliberation, it was determined that all of the Crawlers are 3-4 degrees from: Mother Theresa, Pope Francis, pretty much everyone in Hollywood, Bill Gates, numerous international sports and political figures, everyone in PE, and, if fictional characters count, Juan Valdez!

~Thank you to Michelle and Pique - we wish you good luck with your new business venture!

Until next week,

Ellen