I am in the midst of helping several clients plan trips to Italy for this summer…as such, I am experiencing some serious wanderlust for Bella Italia and craving my favorite foods. Here is an oldie but a goodie, pulled from my archives on La Cucina Romana…I hope you are hungry this morning!
When looking back on one’s travels, people have different ways of remembering things. For me, it is always about the food!! Nowhere is this truer than in Italy, particularly in Rome.
Here are a few of my best food memories from Rome, along with recommendations for a few of my favorite trattorias, cafes, gelaterias and more…
Gelato
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Countless articles, blogs and even books have been written on where to find the best gelato in Rome. My personal favorite is Giolitti not far from the Piazza Navona. Try the Straciatella or Zuppa Inglese. Another favorite is San Crispino, near the Trevi Fountain.
Tartufo
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Tartufo translates to truffle – imagine a dark chocolate truffle the size of a baseball filled with chocolate ice cream topped with whipped cream. The best in Roma is at Tre Scalini in the Piazza Navona. If you don’t eat at any of the restaurants in the Piazza Navona, at least sit down outside and enjoy this wonderful dessert.
Cappuccino and Cornetto
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Best at Sant’Eustachio il Caffe – stop in for a mid morning break near the Pantheon – order a cappuccino and a cornetto and you will not be disappointed. Order inside and eat at a counter like the locals (you will be charged more for eating at a table).
Granita Di Caffe con Panna
Best at Tazza D’Oro – This is a mixture of shaved ice and espresso with delicious fresh whipped cream topping. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up after sightseeing near the Pantheon. For something special, try one at the historic Antico Caffe Greco on Via Condotti near the Spanish Steps where Byron, Goethe and even Casanova have sipped caffe since 1760.
Fried artichokes are a delicacy in Rome, originating in the Jewish district. These are seasonal and may only be on the menu in the Spring, but if they have them, you MUST order them! Best at Matricianella or Da Giggetto.
Fiori di Zucca
Zucchini blossoms are fried and stuffed with cheese and sometimes anchovy paste.
Suppli (Arancini)
Risotto balls filled with cheese and fried.
Cacio e Pepe
Literally, cheese and pepper, this simple pasta dish is quintessentially Roman.
Bucatinia alla Amatriciana
A thick spaghetti with a spicy tomato sauce with pancetta or guanciale (Italian fried pork similar to pancetta).
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
The classic Roman pasta – spaghetti with cheese, guanciale and an egg cooked in the hot pasta to create a creamy sauce. (I don’t like eggs but I LOVE a good carbonara!)
Saltimbocca alla Romana
“Jump in your mouth” – a delicious veal scaloppine made with prosciutto and sage.
Involtini alla Romana
Pizza
Pizza Rossa
Pizza Bianca
While the best pizza is found a few hours south in Naples, one can still find some pretty amazing pizza in Rome. Pizza Rossa is topped with tomato sauce. Pizza Bianco does not have tomato sauce but is topped or filled with various ingredients. A few favorites are at Pizzeria Da Baffetto and Dar Poeta. Tip – If you order a pepperoni pizza in Rome, it will be topped with bell peppers.
And, finally, Volpetti…
…an amazing food store where you can buy Italian specialties from fresh Mozzarella to balsamic vinegar, it’s a great place to buy gifts to take home.
Buon Appetito!
Oh yes ma'am!!!!!!! Sandy, italian food is my all time favorite and we has the best gelato in vernazza while in cinqua terra. Forgive my error here, i am typing from my tablet at school! Have a great friday anita
Oh, Sandy, now I'm hungry! Thanks for taking me back to Rome even though I will probably eat something very bad for me today as a result. I have very fond memories of the flavors of Rome – one of the best meals I've ever had was at a vegetarian restaurant called Il Margutta (and I am a confirmed carnivore!) And the coffee… sigh. Would love to go back some day!
Happy weekend! XOXO
Everything looks sooo sumptuous Sandy! you really made me more hungry! I have to pin this so I can read back on it before I do go to Rome someday! Have a great weekend dear!
Good grief….I"m starving now! 🙂
Sandy, I'll just print this out and take it with me!!! So excited for the gelato making session for our boys. They and we will be in heaven! And, just looking at these pastas is making me long for June and our long awaited for trip!
Thanks for all your help in the planning….did you see Departures recent magazine? JK Place still hot and a whole section on Florence!
xoxo elizabeth
Italy has so much to offer in particular the food. Many of my favourites are here particularly spaghetti alla carbonara and I had the best pizza ever on the island of Capri. Great post.
Oh hello Italian delicacies….I'm so hungry now Sandy. You have the best taste. I'm longing for Rome and a quaint little cafe. Happy Weekend my friend!
xx, Heather
Oh hello Italian delicacies….I'm so hungry now Sandy. You have the best taste. I'm longing for Rome and a quaint little cafe. Happy Weekend my friend!
xx, Heather
Beautiful pictures – now I'm starving. Had pine nut gelato in Rome once & it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. Would love to find some again.
Now I'm starving!!! Great photos. Have a wonderful weekend, Sandy!
Oh this is mean Sandy!! I am now craving a five course meal at not even 9am! I must agree no where can beat the food in Italy…from antipasta to the main course and ending with dessert, it is all DIVINE!
Beautiful post……but now the oatmeal I was going to prepare is not seeing so appetizing anymore:)