I'd seen Skappo, a tiny Italian wine bar located next to the yoga studio I frequent, many times and finally made a reservation to check it out. This particular Friday was the end to a stressful week, and as my date and I were seated at a table among 10 strangers, I wasn't sure I was ready for the experience.

We were somewhere in the middle of the restaurant, filled at roughly 30 customers. If you've been to Italy or even seen movies set in Italy, it's a familiar scene. Talk, listen, and learn about family, friends, and strangers while savoring a fantastic meal.

As my dining companion and I scanned the specials, the menu, and the wine list, our waiter, Michael came by to welcome us and explain the dining process. The majority of Skappo's menu is served tapas style— best for sharing multiple selections. We finally made our selections: Crostini con Pomodori e Parmigiano-Reggiano (slices of fresh toasted bread with spreadable Parmigiano-Reggiano topped with slices of plump semi-dried tomatoes), Crespelle del Giorno (crepe of the day, this one with cheese and prosciutto), Bollito con Polenta (braised beef in white wine and fresh tomato sauce atop a creamy homemade polenta), and vegetarian meatballs with pesto sauce. And of course we had to order the Cannoli di Ricotta for dessert.

Michael delivered our wine with a basket of bread and olive oil to start. As my date and I made small talk and listened to conversations next to us, we looked around at people truly enjoying the company of their friends. I didn't see any cell phones being used. I'm not sure when it happened. Maybe it was after the first delicious bite of Crostini, or maybe it was as my date scooped up the last of the pesto that came with the vegetarian meatballs, but I forgot about my stresses. We started to talk about vacations, and we contributed to the conversation to the side of us. We delighted in Anna, our adorable Italian chef adorned by a sequined hair net, visiting the table to thank us for coming. Better yet, we stayed long enough that the restaurant started to clear out and we got to speak with Michael, who is also Anna's son.

Our conversation quickly veered to one currently familiar to me— quality of life.

Michael's mother and father, Anna Gambacorta, native of Assisi, Italy, and Thomas Sincavage, an American art student, met in Assisi in 1973. They moved to America and had three children. When the family thought about opening the restaurant, one of those children, Michael, had to decide whether to stay in his career in finance or to work amongst family. It seemed his choice was not difficult, and it was just about nine years ago when siblings Michael, Yvette, and Marc went into the family business with their mother and father— bringing Central Italy to New Haven.

A great saying (that has been accredited to many) is ever present in my mind today: Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. Thank you, Skappo, for helping me to remember that.