Visiting Italy is a foodie’s dream come true. The quality of ingredients is high, the pure simplicity of the dishes is magic. No matter what your heart desires, with a little research, you will be eating amazing food in Rome.
Eating on a Budget
My first visit to Rome was one of sampling the amazing dishes I had read about. I went on a food tour which was incredible. I ate Cacio e Pepe with truffles, to die for. I consumed tripe (Trippa alla Romana) in a thick tomato sauce in Prati after visiting the Vatican. I wanted to fully immerse myself in everything Rome. And I did.
This trip, is not a holiday per say. I am watching my pennies. What I have been doing is stocking my kitchen with essentials upon arrival, and picking up special treats while out each day.
That is exactly what I have done in Rome. I am able to purchase my groceries from various small shops in the area. My first haul was 36 Euros or $53 CAD. It included a bottle of wine, a bottle of iced tea, a loaf of bread, crackers, coffee, jam, milk, prosciutto tortellini, pasta sauce, 2 types of cheese, salami, yogourt, biscuits, potato chips, butter, focaccia, eggs and body lotion. Not too bad I thought, for European prices.
I pick up fresh vegetables from Campo de Fiori vegetable market which are incredibly affordable. I made a big pot of soup twice, one was a simple vegetable soup eaten with fresh focaccia and a salty cheese. The other was squash soup with pasta. These dishes were perfect on the cool rainy days I encountered upon my arrival to the city.
Many meals are simple charcuterie type ones, using various items I have discovered and brought home after my walk-about-towns. I have a favourite cured meats shop which provides me with beautifully salty porchetta and savory salumi.
Street Food
Roman street food is amazing. From suppli, fritti and croquettes, to pizza and sandwiches, it’s all scrumptious. On several occasions I have purchased these items and have either enjoyed them in a plaza or brought them back to the flat. They all make perfect meals with a glass of red wine and some olives or cheese.
Mornings
One of my very favourite habits has been to stop mid morning for a cappuccino and croissant or cornetto. I have savoured every single one. This little treat gives me a chance to sit down, get my bearings, delve into the most delicious past time for me, coffee and sweet. The opportunity to people watch, and feel part of a community while munching on a flaky cream filled pastry is priceless.
One such restaurant is Plebiscito, I have visited twice, the croissant and coffee was just that perfect. Utterly perfect, perhaps the best I have had in my life. I watched as the croissants were pulled from the oven. After cooling on the counter, they were filled with fresh cream, chocolate or pistachio cream and placed in the glass container.
Long Lunch or Dinner
Another favourite thing to do while in Rome, is to enjoy an extended lunch time. Sitting in the sun, at a sidewalk restaurant, enjoying a glass of chilled wine, is one of life’s small but splendid pleasures.
Any type of pasta or dish on a menu that is not at a tourist place, will be sure to please. I have enjoyed fried zucchini flowers, stuffed with anchovies and cheese. Amatriciana pizza, cooked to perfection in a wood fired oven. Carbonara, a beautiful and utterly simple pasta dish but a must when in Rome.
If you can do even a little investigative work before you arrive or while you are here, you can avoid the tourist restaurants and find real Rome, real Italian food. You will be rewarded 100 fold when you sit down to dine at an establishment that is serving authentic Roman dishes.
