When in Rome

 

Rome is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.  Each time we come, I am grateful that we are able to travel and to enjoy this beautiful, chaotic, delicious and noisy place.  We are here with our son and his girlfriend and they are touring the "must-sees" like the Colosseum and the Vatican, while Dr. C. and I are nursing jet lag.  We leave tomorrow for Spello, and can't wait to reunite with friends, and friends who are family there.  

Eating our way through Rome is my favorite pastime, going to old favorites and taking a chance on new restaurants we've not been to.  Breakfast is coffee and cornetto at the local bar.  We have been the only non-Italians in this place the entire week.  

                      We call this the breakfast of champions!  It will get you started for the day. 

After walking for a few hours it's time for lunch.  On Wednesday after a long walk through the Borghese gardens, we decided to come back to the apartment which is located in the Prati area near the Vatican museums, regroup and find a place for lunch.  

Ryan and Madelyn had found a place on google near the Vatican museums and we set out.  We were welcomed with open arms by the owner Giulio and his sister Maria.  By the end of the day, we'd met everyone and came back the next day for lunch again.  This time it was a four hour lunch, with non-stop talk, wine, prosecco and digestivi.  Giulio, Maria, our waiter Mario and the entire crew became family in 4 hours.  

Lasagne made in house

Pasta Amatriciana

Saltimbocca

Before all this came to the table, there were huge chunks of Parmigiano, Calabrian salami, Prosciutto, and a small portion of pasta all' arabiatta.  Add to this a liter of white wine, and a few gallons of water, and we were happy campers, but the food kept on coming!  And the conversation with Giulio and his sister Maria.  Maria makes an amazing tiramisu, the photo doesn't do it justice, but I hope to replicate it in San Diego when I get home at the end of October (and that's another story for another time!)

Maria makes the custard with amaretto and uses amaretti cookies instead of ladyfingers, then sprinkles in toasted hazelnuts and chopped chocolate---this is heaven on a plate.  

After this came the digestives, Limoncello, Amaro and Strega (saffron liquor)  I passed on the saffron and Amaro, but a nice chilled glass of Limoncello is always welcome.  

Giulio pouring the prosecco

Espresso, and then more conversation, and prosecco, and more wine, and they rolled us out of there 4 hours later.  Since we were so close to St. Peter's we took a stroll over there, it's best to go later in the afternoon, when the tour bus crowds are gone.  

Grazie Giulio, Maria, and Mario for making our day in Rome so much fun.  Delicious food and great conversation made Ristorante dei Musei an amazing experience.  

If you are in the area of the Vatican museums or St. Peter's we highly recommend this place, it's awesome.  

                  At the end of the day, it's the people of Italy who are its treasure.  Grazie Mille!