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"Dining In Rome"

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Dining in Rome

Italian cuisine is one of the most popular worldwide, enjoying an unparalleled degree of international renown and influence. Pasta, pizza, coffee and ice-cream are delectable Italian staples that can be enjoyed just about anywhere in the world. Yet in spite of its ubiquitous availability, the experience of having Italian food in Rome is somehow unique and inimitable.   

Rome is famous for several traditional dishes, passed down through generations, which give the common perception of Italian cooking a different twist. Romans take great pride in their local cuisine, precisely because it is relatively unknown to foreigners. One of the great local specialities is trippa alla romana, innards prepared with tomatoes and cheese and served in a variety of different sauces. Another popular item is the starter saltimbocca, small rolls of beef and ham, which can be found at almost every restaurant. 

Visiting a local market helps explain why Romans have such a special fondness for vegetables and legumes. Vegetable specialities vary greatly depending on the season and are built around healthy ingredients like artichoke hearts, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes and asparagus. Many dishes, such as the carciofi alla romana (garlic and mint stuffed artichokes served in a casserole), feature the vegetable as the main attraction. Vegetables are also a popular side dish, accompanying most traditional meals. These dishes tend to be rich and substantial in the winter and light and aromatic in the summer.

When it comes to drinking in Italy, wine is the unquestioned and unrivalled beverage of choice. The ancient god Bacchus already bore testimony to the Roman's deep appreciation for wine, inspiring the term "bacchanalian" to describe the hedonistic, wine drenched celebrations that were commonplace in Ancient Rome. In those long gone days, drinking excessive amounts of wine was seen as way of getting closer to the gods. Whether this was in fact true or not is debatable; after all, large quantities of wine can make all sorts of things seem quite divine. Nowadays, wine has taken on a more sedate role, and Italian varieties have gained a large, international following. Although regions like Tuscany produce outstanding wines, the most popular fare in Rome is a locally produced variety called Frascati. Purchasing wine at a local winery is an affordable and recommendable shopping expedition. Compared to other European countries, especially northern ones where a mere glass of wine is often a luxury item, the wines in Italy are reasonably priced and of excellent quality.

Another local product that must be mentioned is the cheese. Rome's most celebrated variety is the pecorino, a cheese that has taken on almost legendary proportions. According to some historical accounts, pecorino was being produced as early as 227 B.C. Other Italian varieties that form part of a traditional Roman cheese plate include parmesan, mozzarella de buffala, ricotta, fontina, gorgonzola, provolone, mascarpone and asiago.  Cheese is without a doubt one of Italy's greatest claims to fame and one of their most celebrated national products. Rome is home to many traditional alimentarias (small stores selling food products) where you can find an ample selection of cheeses.

In addition to these quintessentially Roman delicacies, you will probably want to indulge in some pasta or pizza. Rome is home to a rich selection of pasta, including mainstream fare like spaghetti, ravioli, fusilli and gnocchi as well as more unusual varieties like bucattini, tagliatelle and rigatone, all served with an equally varied array of sauces. You can opt for a classic sauce like carbonara, pesto or Bolognese or venture into less familiar territory and try one of the many local specialities. Roman pasta is a versatile dish, served cold in salads, hot in soups or as an accompaniment to either meat or vegetable dishes. In fact, vegetarians will be quite elated at the myriad options Roman cuisine has in store for them.      

Although pizza originally came from Naples, the Romans have embraced the dish and made it their own. Roman pizza is notable for its enormous size and thin, crispy crust and is traditionally prepared in a wood fire oven. Warm weather allows for a truly Roman dining experience: outdoors on a terrace, at a restaurant that is preferably somewhat removed from the touristy city centre. A place that caters to the local population guarantees two things: reasonable prices and an authentic and relaxed atmosphere. If you get peckish during your sight-seeing adventures, you can always stop for a slice of pizza al taglio, local pizza served in individual slices. Servings are priced according to weight (usually costing approximately 0.90 € each), making this a delicious and affordable snack.   

Rome is also famous for two other tantalising treats: coffee and ice-cream. When it comes to coffee, the Italians claim to serve the best blends in the world, prepared in a number of different and imaginative ways. The classic espresso is a strong, dark shot of pure coffee, the macchiato is a short coffee with a dash of milk and the caffe latte is a traditional tall coffee with milk. And then there is the cappuccino, the ultimate symbol of Italian coffee culture, a product that has been exported and embraced around the world. Drinking coffee is a social act in Rome. In addition to being a traditional breakfast item, coffee is seen as the perfect end note to a meal or an ideal companion for an afternoon chat with friends. Many, of course, also think coffee is best enjoyed with a cigarette, something that is becoming increasingly difficult to do in Rome. Smoking is forbidden inside all enclosed establishments unless they have a specifically designated smoking area. This is no hindrance, of course, while the weather is warm and sunny, but once the temperatures drop the city becomes a somewhat less friendly place for smokers.  

One treat that has to be enjoyed regardless of the season is the delicious Roman ice-cream. The gelateria or ice-cream shop is a Roman institution, as ubiquitous as ancient ruins. One of the most celebrated names in Roman gelato is Giolitti, a chain that handcrafts some of the best, traditional ice-cream in the city and serves a wide variety of flavours. Ice-cream isn't as much a dessert here as it is a treat for just about any occasion. The servings tend to be generous and, if requested, accompanied by a large topping of panna (whipped cream) at no extra charge.

One thing is absolutely certain - eating in Rome is a genuine pleasure. Food becomes more than mere nourishment, providing you with both a cultural and culinary experience. Roman cuisine contains all the elements of the traditional Mediterranean diet, prepared with an exceptional degree of imagination and a passion for flavour. The result is an ample selection of dishes that are unmistakably Roman and are bound to delight even the most discerning palate.