A MORNING IN MODENA

IT WAS STILL THE EARLY morning of a weekday when I left my hotel to walk the streets of Modena. I sought the perfect cup of coffee that I had come to Italy for.

- NITIN CHAUDHARY

“Why didn’t you go to Rome?” asked the hotel receptionist with a smile when I sought her advice on which café I should visit. “After all, tourists come to Modena for Parmesan and aceto balsamico. But, well, one can find good coffee anywhere in Italy.” With that, she pulled out a map and circled a few cafés of her choice.