WHEN IN ROME…

where to eat, drink and sleep

During my vacation in Italy I planned two days of Rome. After spending a week in Puglia, lounging at a beautiful swimming pool we felt we needed two days of ballyhoo. This should be a post by May, she loves this city and has even lived there. That’s why I asked her where to eat and where to drink; I wasn’t disappointed they were all perfect.

We started with the hotel. Hotel Mecenate Palace. Not expensive but not exactly cheap. It’s just outside of the busy city center situated on a beautiful square with a church. The interior was past its glory days but I loved it. It had fine beds, a shiny bathroom and (the best part) a bar on the roof with an amazing view of the city. An Aperol Spritz never tasted better. You can also have dinner here; we’ve tried the little bites that came with our drinks, picobello, very promising. Another perk is that there’s a garage for your car.

We followed up on May’s advice and had dinner at Romolo. You can’t see anything from the outside but the restaurant has an adorable courtyard with tables covered in white linen and ivy growing up its walls. Very romantic. The pasta with truffle (of course) irresistible and so is the spigola (bass). Taking my limoncello-diet very seriously I concluded my dinner with two glasses.

I couldn’t visit Rome without visiting the Coliseum. No way I’d get away with that, though maybe I’d have preferred spending the day on a terrace instead. We (I guess you caught on to the fact that I was sharing this vacation with my boyfriend) met with friends from Amsterdam while in the city and they took us absolutely everywhere; the Spanish steps, the Trevi fountain, St. Peter’s square, the works. All this in a heat of 30 degrees, I’m very proud of myself. A lick of Biotherm suntan lotion on my face was therefore very necessary (you know me and my favorite brand).

I was allowed to pick the place for lunch, so we ate at Ristorante Sabatina. We’ve secretly been doing mozzarella tests the whole vacation but here we found the winner. Mussels, vongole, melon and Parma ham. It was the best restaurant of the summer. It was on a cute square. I happen to love squares. But watch out; don’t let the check surprise you, ahum.

To compensate the lunch bill we strolled over to Antica Osteria Rugantino for dinner. You’ll find cute little waiters in short pants and you won’t pay more than 8 euros for a liter of wine. The menu is simple, nothing special, but the atmosphere is laid back and cozy and the service very friendly. And then when a woman shows up with a guitar and starts to sing it’s all picture perfect..

Italians don’t really have breakfast they’re content having a caffè and a cigarette. At Ristorante Angelina you’ll find a selection of delicious cakes, croissants and sandwiches on display in a glass case. Have one with a strong shot of espresso. Of course.