Luxeat

The Ultimate Roman Decadence

A bottle of water  for 200 euros at  La Pergola restaurant in Rome . ( No, i didn't drink it!)

Roscioli

Carbonara

One address which is an absolute  must if you are visiting Rome is Roscioli ( Via dei Giubbonari, 21,Rome ,tel. 066 864045 ).  Initially it was a bakery, later  a gourmet shop and a restaurant was added. The products are of unbelievable quality but it's not only them that make the place favorite among chefs and Romans. Roscioli food  is autentic ,but at the same time has a modern twist.

Fassi gelateria

Fassi, or Palazzo del Freddo  is one of the oldest gelaterias in Italy (last year it turned 130 ). The only shop in Rome is  still owned by the founder's family. It seems that time has stopped at Palazzo del Freddo-the simple, cantine like decor makes you travel to the middle of the last century. But don't be fooled by the appearance(and by the location, which is not at all in the center), people say that Fassi ice cream is one of the best if not the best in Rome. You can choose from 30  different flavors- all natural and made in the factory behind the shop.

 

Carciofi alla giudia

 Jewish style artichokes from Piperno restaurant in the Roman Ghetto. You eat everything -  the artichoke heart, crispy leaves.. One of my favorite Roman specialities.

 

 

The Romanesco artichokes season is from February to April and you can find them now pretty everywhere in the Ghetto area.

 

My first days in Rome

When i asked my Roman friends if they knew any "hidden gems " unknown to the tourists they started laughing,-  " Everywhere there are tourists!". Until this moment i have been to only one restaurant  (two if  you count gelateria )which was touristy.

Cacio e pepe at Trattoria da Gino

Guy Savoy,Paris

It's been a while i haven't been at Guy Savoy  and I've almost forgot how brilliant this chef's cooking is . For me,the food at Guy Savoy   represents the true 3 Michelin stars cusine. You are impressed by the forms, the textures and the presentation, but finally what amazes you most, is the perfection of the flavors. The art at Guy Savoy restaurant is not only on the plates but also around you.  Part of  the chef's  philosophy is that the environment where you have your meal is as important as the meal itself. African statuettes, contemporary artists paintings, wood colours and toned down lighting makes the dining rooms modern yet cosy. It's old news, but this year  Guy Savoy is moving to Hotel de la Monnaie on the Left bank. I can only imagine how visually impressive the place will be.

Painting by Fabrice Hybert

My new drink of choice ...

..at least when i was in Brussels. Kriek is  Belgium beer fermented with cherries. Normally i don't like  beer, but this one tastes like slightly alcoholic cherry drink(very distinctive and natural flavour).I wonder if you can buy it elsewhere..

P.S. Apologies for being absent from the blogosphere  recently - too much work!