The new Mercato Centrale in Rome’s Termini train station isn’t a mercato in the traditional Italian sense. It’s a great addition to the station, but reminds me more of something like a scaled-down, smaller version of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, or an Eataly. It has sixteen eateries and places to buy pizza a taglio, cheeses, great bruschetta…
When in Rome
Hostaria del Mercato, restaurant near the Spanish Steps Rome
Hosteria del Mercato, Via Bocca del Leone, 46a Right near the Spanish Steps yet tucked away on the quiet Via Bocca di Leone 46a, Hosteria del Mercato has been opened for a bit over a year, but guess what? They just opened up a charming food market attached to the restaurant featuring fabulous produce and…
Pasta, gnocchi & risotto: luscious Italian primi
Italy is characterized by starting off each meal with delicious first courses, or primi. Oftentimes a primo and salad can be enough for a whole meal. Rarely will you see Italians skip their scrumptious primo! Take a look at these wonderful first course ideas, most of which you’ll find in Italian restaurants, and also in our…
Cooking Classes at Flavor of Italy
Take a look at what we do in our cooking classes: they’re fun, you learn a lot, enjoy great food & wine, and take home a host of new, simple to prepare, delectable recipes. Our cooking school is based in Rome, but we also offer cooking classes throughout the year in the United States and…
Gelato at Neve di Latte
Neve di Latte (Via Luigi Poletti, 6, Rome) is just about as good as it gets! A tad off the tourist track, but near the MAXXI museum so do a double header. My personal fave is pistachio and I always bring a kilogram back home to stash in my freezer!
Courtyards in Rome
When you stroll through Rome’s historic center, behind the palazzi’s huge wooden doors are beautiful courtyards with sculptures. Slip in to take a look! Here are some of Rome’s best courtyards: The Palazzo Borghese trumps all other courtyards for its beauty; the photograph below features one of the many sculptures in this courtyard. The courtyard…
Rome Flora Cult Plant & Flower Market
It was my first time to attend the annual FloraCult plant and flower show. I was expecting something more formal, elaborate and extensive but instead it was more like a country fair. A beautiful, thoroughly enjoyable country fair! There were flowers, fruit trees and plants from throughout of Italy. A Sicilian producer was selling delicious oranges, avocados…
Castagnole di Carnevale, a Delicious Mardi Gras Dessert!
Castagnole di Carnevale are a wonderful treat for Mardi Gras! Italian tradition has it that just before the forty days of lent when one feels compelled to give up tasty goodies, is the time to indulge in sweet, fried foods. Castagnole have been part of this tradition since the 17th century, along with frappe and a…
Christmas Season in Rome 2015
Here are a few pictures of Rome during the Christmas 2015 season. Nothing lifts the spirit more than shimmering Christmas lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, lovely shops and gorgeously packaged panettoni and other holiday treats! Piazza Venezia… The iconic Hassler Hotel at the top of the Spanish steps… Via del Babuino… These boxed panettoni are…
Eating in Ponte Milvio
An old rusty bicycle becomes a perfect prop for baskets of flowers. I saw this at a restaurant in Ponte Milvio, in north Rome and was charmed by it. Often what is old and rusty and no longer of utilitarian value takes on a new function of beauty. Old wheelbarrows, old shutters and doors, and…
The Arrotino or Knife Sharpener
This special bicycle was used by the arrotino to sharpen knives, throughout neighborhoods in Rome. The box on the front carries the tools of the trade, and the stone disk (center of the bike) is the sharpening device, powered by the arrotino’s bicycle pedals. I used to love seeing the arrotino in our neighborhood, but…
Day Trip to Lake Bolsena for a fish lunch
Last weekend we were at Lake Bolsena, an under two hours drive from us. We were there with friends: and others who vacation at the lake regularly; sailing, canoeing, swimming. Fish is my favorite food and it’s a pleasure to occasionally indulge in lake fish. The best that Lake Bolsena has to offer is coregone,…