I do not believe I had ever been more excited about the local cuisine of a country than I was when coming to Italy. Although I am only a quarter Italian, at least half of the cooking my family and relatives do is Italian-inspired, giving me a sense of familiarity and nostalgia whenever I eat it away from home. Apart from this personal link, Italy is of course famous around the world for its pastas, sauces, meats and cheeses, appetizers, desserts, and so much more. Coming to Rome, I was excited both to taste the “authentic” version of the food I had grown up eating and to – for once – be familiar with the cuisine while abroad. I was then surprised, however, to realize how many dishes on the Italian menus I was unfamiliar with.
Italian vs. American Italian Food
Regarding the format of the meal, Italy’s Italian food is divided into many more courses. A fully complete meal would include an apertivo (appetizer), a primo piato (first course), secondo piato (second course), contorno (side dish), and a dessert. I am used to a dish combining many of these dishes together instead of offering then a la carte. For example, if you wanted a rice dish, a fish, and then a vegetable, all three typically will be ordered separately in Italy instead of coming together like they might in the U.S. Also, diners almost always have to pay for water, bread, and a cover charge. Tipping, however, is not customary except in exceptional situations.
Probably the most surprising food that I have found on menus here has been fiore di zucchine (zucchini flowers). My family grows zucchini so I am very used to eating this vegetable; however, it never crossed my mind to try the flowers. So far, I have tried zucchini flowers fried and stuffed with cheese and also on pizza. I have thoroughly enjoyed the vegetable in both forms so far and will continue to order it whenever I have the chance.
Another food that I have found to be very common – and delicious – in Italy has been supplì (fried, cheese filled rice balls). While I recognized this food from trying it once when it was a special at a fancy American Italian restaurant, I had no idea it was so common place in Rome. I especially like supplì because between classes I can easily stop in a pizza shop to buy a couple to do for a quick, savory snack.
A couple of items that I was surprised not to find frequently in restaurants have been chicken parmesan and penne alla vodka. As these have always been two of my go-to dishes, I normally would have been sad to find this. Because I have been mostly vegetarian for the past few months, however, I wasn’t particularly seeking these dishes out anyways. As a tip for anyone else who is trying to cut back on meat, I recommend ordering an appetizer and then a primo piato because most of the secondi piati are meat-based. Also, something to be aware of is that parmasean cheese is not actually vegetarian because it is made with calf rennet, an enzyme from the stomach of a calf.
My favorite Roman eateries (so far)
One of the first restaurants I ate at in Rome and possibly still my favorite is Bistrot Essenziale. This simple, tasteful restaurant is located in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome where I am living; however, it can be found a quiet side road away from the tourist districts. I ordered buccatini amatriciana for my first course, which is a spaghetti-like noodle with a hole through the center, in a tomato based sauce with onions, pecorino cheese, and bacon. For my second course, I ordered roast oxtail in a dark chocolate sauce. (Needless to say I gave vegetarianism a break that day.) For desert, a friend and I split beeramisu – tiramisu made with beer instead of coffee. When I have friends and family visit me in the next few months I will definitely be bringing them to this spot.
A second of my favorite Roman restaurants is Melo, a Sicilian restaurant located nearby Piazza Venezia. Although this restaurant is in a district buzzing with tour groups, it is tucked away around a corner and beside some old stone steps. This eatery has an extremely warm and local vibe, complete with Sicilian wall art, checkered tablecloths, and grandfatherly waiters joking with the patrons. At this restaurant, one of my roommates and I enjoyed an excellent house red wine, and I ordered a fresh, buttery frutti di mare (seafood) pasta. For dessert, we had Sicilian cheesecake which, as I should have expected, is very different from New York cheesecake. Less sweet and more cake-like, it was a distinctly rich and Italian dessert.
On the topic of desserts, I have narrowed down my favorite gelaterias (ice cream shops) to a place called Frigidarium and another by the name of Il Gelato di San Crispino. Frigidarium, located near the Trevi Fountain in Rome, is always fairly easy to spot by the massive line running out its door. The gelateria lives up to its hype – the creaminess and freshness of its rich, classic flavors is undeniable. Il Gelato di San Crispino is located nearby and is of an equally high quality. Slightly pricier and with a fancier interior, this gelateria offers subtler, but more exotic flavors such as honey, fig, and ginger. Both spots are definitely worth a try.
As an extension of my favorite restaurants and desert places, I’ll also recommend one of my favorite bars – Blackmarket, located in the Monti neighborhood. This trendy mixology café is cluttered with quirky antiques and rustic furniture all arranged in a series of warmly lit rooms. The large menu features the largest range of liquors, mixtures, and flavors that I have seen in Rome, with everything from blackberry gin fizz cocktails to spicy mezcal concoctions. Serving food and a large selection of nonalcoholic beverages as well, Blackmarket offers a relaxed and sophisticated, social vibe.
So if you ever find yourself in Rome and are looking for a fine meal, a sweet treat, or a unique cocktail, hopefully you’ll find something on this list beneficial during your culinary exploration!
