The first annual Italian Film Festival was held at the Sottile Theater near the College of Charleston (www.cofc.edu.) The theme for the three evenings was FOOD. I can’t imagine a better theme when I think of Italy and Charleston. The first evening was packed as local restaurants provide free samplings of their Italian culinary delights. We couldn’t help to get a bite to eat after the movies as our appetites were stimulated, so we stopped at Caviar & Bananas….a relatively new gourmet food shop. It reminds me a bit of Dean & DeLuca where you can purchase prepared foods, wine, and cooking items. The young owners graduated from College of Charleston years ago and lived in New York City, but after a number of years, moved back to their favorite city, Charleston SC because it’s much more relaxed. It surprises me that so many young people, and I’m speaking about college students, can afford these gourmet prices. Things sure are different than when I went to college. I would have loved the opportunity to go to college in a city like Charleston! The students definitely add youth and vibrancy to the downtown area, and not to mention lots of varied arts and entertainment.