N'aria serena doppo na tempesta!

ABC of Troon... V is for VENICE

The Venice Cafe is a ancient meeting place for the people of Troon. 

To me, it has been around for, forever.    

When I was little I remember sitting in my pushchair at the zebra crossing gazing into the window wishing for an ice.   

As I got older, it became a meeting place.  It was open til 8pm, maybe 9 at night in the Summer, and we would congregate there, sitting in the little booth like tables, drinking hot vimto and eating crisps.  Summer days were for the special Venice Ice Creams, and Ice Cream Floats, and Snowballs. 

On Sunday mornings, it was ideal for a lovely soft bap with fried egg and a cuppa tea to take away the Saturday night excesses. 

The Venice was originally run by the Corbani Family.  Mr and Mrs Corbani (always Mr and Mrs Corbani to me, and Ilyana the sister).  To be honest, I'm not sure whose sister she was; Mr Corbani I think; she didn't look much like Mrs Corbani.    

Ilyana kept an eye on us in the evening, if the conversation was getting too loud, or too rowdy - just a look in our direction was enough to quieten us down. 

It was with some sadness they closed up shop, years ago now, and sold the business on.  It just wasn't the same.  

Now, it's owned by a completely different family;  no longer an Italian Ice confectioner, it's a lovely upmarket cafe bistro, maintaining a reputation for good food, sourced locally and prepared fresh on the premises.