I don’t think words can express my feelings for our local pizzeria, Rostrevor Pizza Bar.
We moved here in 2006 and from the first weeks until now, they have been a staple part of our survival and sanity, not only with the only standard pizzas around here that do not give me indigestion, but for the family.
Gaetano, Josie, Tony, and Nardia, in particular, always greet you with a knowing smile, a “ciao Steve”, and little stolen moments of conversation when the busyness allows.
In 2017, I sat with Gaetano for an episode of The Adelaide Show Podcast and it’s worth a listen: 202 – Rostrevor Pizza Podcast With The Lot.
Because of that interview, distilling Gaetano’s 30+ years of standing behind that same bar, I had all the facts I needed to combine with my experiences and produce this song.
Some of the things I recalled from that interview include the process of Gaetano making a fresh batch of dough (or pastry as he calls it) at the end of the night before arriving around dawn the next morning to knead it down, happily putting pineapple on pizza even though he doesn’t partake himself, pride over his awards for his Special and his Margherita, and his fanaticism about putting cheese onto the base and the tomato sauce layer, so that it does not smother the toppings.
There are some Italian words woven throughout this song and I want to thank my friend, Anthony Sebastiani for giving me guidance so I could get their usage right without spoiling the surprise for Gaetano and co. Anthony was particularly helpful in swapping out one of my Italian terms from the chorus, and rearranging them for me. Here are his notes, complete with his English translation note in brackets:
Benvenuti (Welcome), come inside
Stai Contento (be happy), drink some wine
In Tranquillo (Calmly), take your time
Riposo un po’ (relax a bit), you’re here, unwind!
Thanks, Anthony, that worked a treat and we’ve received thumbs up from the Rostrevor Pizza Bar team!
PS And special mention to LJ, who keeps the front of house sharp and friendly and hilarious.
Benvenuti Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Every Rostrevor day, begins the night before
Saying ciao, buono serata, at the door
Get the flour, and the salt, and the water, and the yeast
As we start making pastry, that’s the best here in the east
[Verse 2]
Every morning bright and early, around dawn
Gaetano rises, and he heads back to the store
His dough is needed down and down, and then it’s balled
And then time to riposare, until customers have called
[Chorus]
Benvenuti
Come inside
Stai contento
Drink some wine
In Tranquillo
Take your time
Riposo un po’
You’re here
Unwind!
[Verse 3]
There is no straniero here, in this place
Because there is a smile here, to welcome every face
When you come back again, they won’t take long to learn your name
‘Cause when life is semplice, no two people are the same
[Verse 4]
Margherita is the pizza made to please
Fresh tomato, and oregano, and some cheese
The Special is the other dish that’s won him big awards
But Rostrevor and the AMJ, they win him much applause
[Chorus]
Benvenuti
Come inside
Stai contento
Drink some wine
In Tranquillo
Take your time
Riposo un po’
You’re here
Unwind!
[Bridge]
But what will the pizza purists say
When Gaetano gives pineapple, his okay?
He says he has a trick to help them cope
He’ll give them what they want
And won’t give them what they don’t!
[Chorus]
Benvenuti
Come inside
Stai contento
Drink some wine
In Tranquillo
Take your time
Riposo un po’
You’re here
Unwind!
[Verse 5]
For Gaetano, every topping has its place
Mozzarella always sits upon the base
As pizzas leave the forno at 270 degrees
The toppings proudly sit on top, for everyone to see
[Verse 6]
If comunità is something that you seek
Then you’ll find it here, served up with love and cheek
One side of the bar is posh, the other side is sparse
Because Gaetano’s pizzas, don’t discriminate on class
[Final Chorus]
Benvenuti
Come inside
Stai contento
Drink some wine
In Tranquillo
Take your time
Riposo un po’
You’re here
Unwind!
Benvenuti
Come inside
Stai contento
Drink some wine
In Tranquillo
Take your time
Riposo un po’
You’re here
Unwind!
Listen To Benvenuti
Benvenuti Raw Scratchings
These are the original notes I scribbled during the writing process. They get refined by me as I hear them sung and, in this case, as I liaised with my “professional” Italian advisor, Anthony.
