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Roman Food
| Breakfast | Picnics | About Restaurants Complete Index of Articles on Rome/Italy
So much of what we find in the States is far removed from the real thing . If you've not eaten in Italy you really can't grasp just how fine is the real thing. We've enjoyed the food in Rome as much or more than anything else there. We've cooked up a lot of information we think you'll enjoy about how the Romans eat, what they eat and where they (and you) eat. If you return from your trip feeling we've understated how good Italian cuisine is, you won't be the first! If you'd like to sample our idea of good Italian food before you go, you might want to try a few of our favorite recipes ... none difficult to prepare.
In contrast, you may be surprised to learn that many objective observers believe the 'haute cuisine' of France evolved from Italian instruction. In any event, you're in for a treat at every lunch and dinner in Rome. Rome is centrally located in Italy, and its cooking reflects northern and southern influences. As well, there are a number of restaurants specializing in the foods of a particular region. Take the opportunity to gain as wide a variety of experiences as possible. Breakfast
As a rule no juice, eggs, or bacon. (Though still few in number, more and more hotels are adding 'American-style' buffet breakfasts as a standard inclusion in the room rate.) In upscale hotels juice, eggs and bacon are available, at a price. Continental breakfast at USD20 is common in 5-star hotels, with eggs and bacon added commanding a price of USD35! Julice may or may not be extra. Picnics
You'll find some general groceries (alimentari, or, literally 'foods, or food stores) at which you can purchase some or all of your needs. Alimentari carry a range of goods (including laundry soap, for example) but are usually small. Often, though, you'll need to visit several shops: the salumeria (sausage shop), frutteria (fruit shop), cheese shop, bakery, and so forth. One or more of these will usually sell bottled water and other beverages as well. Part of the joy of an Italian picnic is assembling the ingredients. And in most cases you'll be overwhelmed by the variety of choices, and the quality. Americans are accustomed to one type of salami, perhaps two, prepackaged. If you're indecisive you'll never get out of the salumeria given the choices of 'salami' you'll find. Note that 'salami' is a particular kind sausage (somewhat differing between regions.) 'Salume', on the other hand, is the collective term for all the various sausages. Your hotel personnel will be able to tell you where the nearest stores are. You'll rarely have to go more than 2-3 blocks. Do check on the hours though ... picnics usually require purchase the preceding afternoon if you'll be leaving before mid-morning. 'Un etto' (a hectogram - 100 grams) will get you almost 4 ounces of meat or cheese. 'Un quarto' gets you more than twice as much (250 grams), enough for two sandwiches. If you're unsure of quantities you may find a peek at European Weights and Measures of interest.
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Dining, Whether Lunch or DinnerAs thoughout much of the world Italians
more often than not eat their largest meal at lunch time and a much smaller 'supper' in
the evening. If, like Ed and Julie, you enjoy Roman food so much that you have two or
three courses at lunch and dinner, you're asking for weight problems. About Restaurants
Pizzarias (look for a 'rustica' sign) often sell pizza by the slice; point to your favorite and say "due centi grammi" for a big 7 ounce slice, or "un etto" for a smaller 4 ounce slice. They'll warm it up and your kids will be eating in just minutes. A good antipasto table can be fun for youngsters, with the variety and the opportunity to see new foods, and select what interests them. The table at La Rampa is quite extensive and of high quality. Kids usually enjoy picnics, and then there's MacDonald's.
Why this system? Possibly sanitation. Perhaps they have little trust in their fellow Italians. Or, they've ingeniously devised a way for travelers to practice pantomime and Italian skills. (Fortunately, they're usually helpful, at least when not busy.)
Lunch or Dinner
... Will it be Primo, Secondo and Contorni? Back to A Personal Visit to Rome Complete Index of Articles on Rome/Italy Our Favorites Trip Tips and Tools Copyright © 1996-2001 E.J.
Gehrlein Traveling |
he number 2 Roman attraction! Seriously,
Italian food as prepared in Italy is spectacularly delicious. Even if you (think you)
don't like Italian food, it's worth the trip to find out how much you'll like real
Italian food. 
talian food
... for most Americans ... means heavy tomato sauces and an excess of garlic, oregano and
red pepper. This style is largely based on a (somewhat faulty) recollection of southern
Italian (e.g. Naples, Sicily) cooking.
n important meal to most Americans, less so for southern Europeans and
Italians. A carafe of coffee (or tea or chocolate), usually with milk (caffee latte),
and a roll (usually a brioche, though croissants are common in pricier hotels). 
ince Italian cooking is based on
fresh food, the custom for cooks is two trips to the store for lunch and dinner. You'll
find, therefor, varied opening hours. Alimentari often are open only late in the
morning and late in the afternoon. Some specialty stores are open all day, as are the
occasional equivalent of a delicatessen where you can buy most everything except perhaps
the fruit.
icnics (whether for
the park or for back in the room) often take a few stops to put together. The effort is
repaid by the quality, and the opportunity to do as the Romans do.
But we figure we enjoy the food
so much it's worth a bit of hard dieting when we get home.
Ristorante are usually the most expensive, though
occasionally you'll find a modestly-named establishment with delusions of grandeur.
estaurants are open for lunch from
Noon to 2:30p.m., roughly. Some open as late as 1:00, not closing until 3:30. You can't
eat a restaurant lunch either early or late. Restaurants reopen for dinner at perhaps
7:30p.m. - you may find some opening at 7p.m., and many not until 8p.m. or 8:30p.m.. Bars
and sandwich shops are open most of the day.
hildren on tour get bored eating
always in restaurants, particularly twice a day. They'll enjoy occasionally selecting
their own sandwich in the cooler case in a caffe by pointing and saying
"quello". Pasta's almost always fun for kids, and of course pizza's a favorite.
ost restaurants impose a (small)
cover charge (coperto), often also including a bread charge (in which case: coperto
e pane.) Prices include IVA (value added tax). Menu prices don't include service (servizio),
but something like 17% will be added to your bill. Of course, you needn't tip (though it's
customary to 'round up' when paying (no more than 5%.))
ou're likely to find, at most any
restaurant, a meal that's at least satisfactory, regardless of the price you pay. It will
likely be tasty. Italians respect food.