Last weekend, we had the pleasure of a sneaky weekend away in Rome, child-free.
I did a lot of research around places to eat before we went (capital cities, good restaurants book up fast, there are a lot of terrible touristy restaurants...) and we had some amazing food. I'm mainly writing this post so that I don't forget the names of them for the future.
So - Rome. Wow. Really fantastic place with a lot of annoying ticket touts, and people constantly trying to give you sad looking red roses, but somehow spectacular enough that you can really enjoy yourself anyway. Spectacular churches on every corner, such a lot of amazing art, and history everywhere.
I was saddened by the number of people viewing the city entirely through smartphones mounted on selfie sticks - don't people just look at things any more? - but that's a rant for a different day.
Places to eat...
For a great lunch:
Gina (http://www.ginaroma.com/) - just near the Spanish Steps, bright and funky cafe with beautiful soups and salads and pasta, full of Italians on their lunch breaks.
For another great lunch:
Pianostrada (http://pianostrada.com/) - tiny place hidden down a tinier side street in Trastavere. Street food concept, with about 16 seats squeezed in, watching the food being prepped in front of us. Our starter decision was made easy by seeing a foccaccia come out of the oven - that, with fig jam and prosciutto, was possibly the nicest thing I've eaten. Ever. We also had a squash soup with all sorts of interesting flavours sprinkled on top (almond, orange, pickled something or other, parmesan), and a burger which was so beautifully flavoured and so tender that the meat element sort of melted into the rest of it to make one amazing whole. With craft beers. I want to go back...
For a great dinner:
Roscioli (http://www.salumeriaroscioli.com/restaurant/) - a deli and wine shop with tables tucked in amongst the shelves of wine. I had a burrata with sun dried tomatoes....basically a plateful of white, creamy cheese, with tomatoes. So. Much. Deliciousness. And two wine lists: 53 pages of Italian wine, and a second called "Foreign Wine". Really nice atmosphere and they were most kind when Martin poured his wine into his pasta...
And another great dinner:
Casa Coppelle (http://www.casacoppelle.com/) - a bit more fine dining, brilliant cocktails and really interesting menu (red prawn tartare on corn cream - for example!).
All in fairly easy walking distance of the Spanish steps.
I think my favourite sights were discovering the Trevi Fountain at night (having never seen a picture of it) - I raved about this for some time (I may have had some wine first); and also the Forum/Palatine and Colosseum - for sheer scale of archaeological interest. And for art, the collection at the Borghese Gallery (prebook a 2 hour slot) has lots of big hitters (Caravaggio, Bernini) in a very small space.
I have very few pictures - I think I was reacting to the selfie sticks...luckily I looked at things while I was there and have the memories of it!
Do go to Rome...
