Here's A Tip

Remember that time when I forgot to close out my bar tab at a local watering hole before heading home and, thus, not tipping the bar staff? I do...because it was just a few short days ago. Whoopsidaisy!
This past Saturday night, I was in the Springfield (MA) area and met some of my longtime friends for a few drinks. Two Samuel Adams Winters for me, please.
I opened a tab at the bar by handing my credit card to one of the bartenders. She swiped the card and returned it to me, which I thought was peculiar at the time. Once the first beer was a mere memory, I ordered a second. (Obviously - my parents taught me better than that.) Then, after contagious yawns consumed us, our table got up and left the bar.
About five minutes later while driving on 291, it dawned on me that I never signed a credit card receipt...and never tipped the bar staff. I illegally looked up the bar's phone number while driving and called to see if I needed to turn around to close everything out. The bartender advised that she could close the tab out for me - a whopping $9 - but that she couldn't add a tip. "Don't worry about it," she said.
MALARKY!
The next morning, I put $2.00 in the mail and sent it off. My carelessness shouldn't affect others, especially those that poured two really great beers.
Lesson: Don't forget to tip your servers!

An Italian Staycation

If you've never been to Federal Hill in Providence, I strongly encourage you to take the trip...and even if you're a regular to the neighborhood, it's time to head back, don't ya think?
I had plans to have lunch on Federal Hill a few weeks back with some friends and, to kill a little bit of time prior to our reservation, I stopped at Venda Ravioli. While not my first time in, this quick, 15-minute detour brought me on a vacation to Italy.
Located in the heart of Federal Hill, Venda Ravioli prides itself on being Rhode Island's Italian grocery store. I couldn't have described it any better myself. At 11:45am on a Saturday morning, this place was buzzing - I mean BUZZING.
Filling the space were lines for the prepared foods and deli items, the sounds of cappuccino foam machine, and full tables of Tonys, Joeys, and Marcos talking sports and neighborhood gossip. Just being in there, soaking up the history of it all, made me smile...and it makes me smile thinking about it now, weeks later.
No, I'm not a paid spokeswoman for Venda Ravioli...although maybe they'll send a free gelato or biscotti my way? I just wanted to share my experience with you all. Any places that transport you that I should try?