The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
Winter Planning Session: Rome
This is our first time back in Rome itself since our first trip to Italy in 2000. Our tolerance for cities -- any city -- is about two days at a time. Last time we made about half of the obligatory stops (Colosseum, Forum, Vatican). This time we hope to tick a few more off the list ... and generally immerse ourselves in what it feels like to be immersed in one of the world's great cities.
We are staying in a private home/B&B, also known as A Villa Riccio. Luciana and Bruno are members of our Affordable Travel Club network, so in the off season, if they have space available, they open it to ATC members for next to nothing. We managed to sneak in when they had two days free and think this will work out well. It is definitely off the tourist track but within reasonable walking distance of the city center. Maybe tomorrow ...
After a long afternoon nap, the only real task of the day was dinner. Bruno gave us a few of his favorites in the neighborhood and we wandered down the street to Pizzeria Vignola, which had just the right feeling of warmth on a cold December night. We were drawn to the place by the lights, making my case for grabbing a hundred strings of these sparklers while they are still available for cheap. The clear ones do not scream Christmas like the multi-colored sets and you never know when or where they will be the perfect answer.
We kept it simple -- a Primavera pizza (arugula, tomatoes, cheese) and some pasta with cinghale (wild boar). We could have been happily filled up with just one or the other. Gotta remember that next time!
© 2012 Restaurant Doctor