Food and Going out, RomeFood and Going out, RomeRome (or Italy, in general) has an excellent culinary tradition, thanks to an abundance of resources and cultural influences. Due to trade, and the spread of the Roman civilization, Roman food adopted some techniques and dishes of the Greeks, Arabs and Etruscans. However, the melding of flavors is undeniably Italian. When most people think of Italian food, the first thing that comes to mind is pasta. Indeed, tourists can find a dazzling array of pasta dishes. Pasta comes in a wide array of shapes and even variants, from the delicate angel hair pasta to the salad macaronis to the stuffed gnocchis. Visitors may also begin to appreciate the subtle flavor differences of Italian dishes that come from different parts of the country. For example, the classic "spaghetti all'amatriciana" actually has roots in Amatrice, now part of Abruzzo, Italy. There is also carbonara, aglio and olio (garlic and olive oil) and spaghetti "alla carrettiera" which combines tuna, mushrooms and tomato. However, there is more to Italian food than pasta. Roman restaurants offer many interesting local meat dishes, like "coda alla vaccinara (tail cooke in a flavored meat sauce of raisin, pine-seeds, bitter chocolate and pieces of celery), rosemary infused roast of lamb, and interesting rice toppings that combine leftover cuts with vegetables. Italy’s abundant fruit and vegetable harvests have inspired cooks across the centuries to create a number of Italian vegetable dishes, like the artichoke s stuffed with aromas. All of these dishes are served in Italian restaurants, and there are quite a number in Rome. It would be wise to ask for the specialty dishes of the restaurant, though there are a few that consistently get excellent reviews. It would also be good to ask a local for recommendations. Those who want a good nightclub should try the Testaccio. As for bars, the Bar Dl Fico has a good al fresco area. Many tourists fall in love with the kitschy atmosphere of Jonathan's Angels (Centro Storico, Via della Fossa, 16). For those who want fine dining, there is the Zest - Es Hotel (Termini, Via F. Turati, 171). The price is steep but the food is excellent and the atmosphere elegant. |