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H is for How To Choose A Restaurant in Rome in 10 Steps

Posted by basilandoil on
  1. Find an ancient building or ruin, or a church.
  2. Take the different direction than the bulk of the tourists.
  3. Avoid the main street, and take the first side alley that you see.

    Caffè L'800 in between the San Giovanni in Laterano and the Colosseo
    Caffè L’800 in between the San Giovanni in Laterano and the Colosseo
  4. Ignore tourist menus. Instead, Look for a osteria or trattoria, to experience traditional Roman food.
  5. Are there proppers outside motioning you in? Keep walking.
  6. How’s the menu? Prices alright? Do they really have the typical Roman dishes?

    Peroni
    Peroni Doppio Malto, a fresh and light Italian beer
  7. Are there people sitting outside? If no, are there people inside? If still no, keep walking. If yes, this might be the one.
  8. Take a quick peek inside. Is it cozy? How’s the lighting? Don’t look at the actual furniture and such, because odds are, you’re not gonna love it. Perhaps, the uglier the interior, the better the food.

    gnocchi al pesto
    Gnocchi al Pesto
  9. Sit down, either out- or inside. Relax. Enjoy your surroundings. Remember that you are in an ancient city. Take a look at the menu. Choose among thinks like carciofo alla romana (artichokes Roman-style), saltimbocca (veal escalope with prosciutto), or gnocchi (small potato dumplings).
  10. Eat. Be happy. Be in the moment. You’ll look back on this often.

 

10 Comments Add yours

  1. lovetotrav says:
    April 9, 2015 at 16:39

    A great post. I could truly relate. Go in the other direction of the tourists 🙂 Happy eating and travels, Cheryl

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. basilandoil says:
      April 9, 2015 at 19:08

      Thank you so much! That might be the best tip if you want to find an authentic restaurant!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. moondustwriter says:
    April 9, 2015 at 19:04

    Great tips for any city if you think about it. Loving scrolling through your letters of yummy!!

    A very Happy A to Zing

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. basilandoil says:
      April 9, 2015 at 19:07

      Thank you so much! The steps can indeed be applied to anyplace!

      Like

      Reply
  3. thatssojacob says:
    April 10, 2015 at 06:01

    If I were in Rome, I’d just do the Toucan Sam and follow my nose. Pizza, calzones, bruschetta…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. basilandoil says:
      April 10, 2015 at 08:42

      Would work as well!

      Like

      Reply
  4. Life Diet Health says:
    April 12, 2015 at 00:18

    🙂 Lisa sounds like us in Istanbul! Great post 🙂 I love all the steps, especially number 3! Except we were hunting for a specific alley we’d been to before (it was actually alley number 4!) The gnocchi looks lovely and is something I could probably eat too! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. basilandoil says:
      April 12, 2015 at 10:31

      Yeah, it works in every large city! And especially Istanbul with all its small alleys and streets!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
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