Restaurant: Eating Italy Rome
Location: Trastavere, Rome
Date: June 8, 2015
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: Fun and tasty
Just a week or so before leaving for Italy my mom learned that one of my second cousins actually lived in Rome, and not only that, that he ran a gourmet food tour business. Turned out some of our other cousins had been on one of the tours and loved it — so we hastily signed up.
We met in this typical looking church square on an island in the Tiber. This particular tour was a four hour later afternoon/evening stroll around Trastevere trying out all sorts of various little eats.
Our lovely and vivacious guide was Jasine.
Here is the map and menu so to speak.
First stop is Da Enzo, a popular trattoria.
Not a giant place as you can see. We began with some Prosecco, but I forgot to photo it.
Burrata, Prosciutto, melon. A classic bit of antipasto. The burrata might have warmed up a bit much as it was making a valiant effort to return to the milk from which it came. Still, a yummy start.
And the vegetarian version featured eggplant instead.
Next up is Spirito di Vino — an auspicious name.
And down into the ancient cellar.
Really down.
2013 Molino a Vento Nero d’Avola Sicilia. A robust Sicilian red. Not my usual wine “level” and a bit over-oaked, but nice enough.
Baked pasta. A layered baked dish of pasta, cheese, and tomato sauce. Like lasagna meets baked ziti.
Ancient pork. A pork shoulder recipe from ancient Rome!
Cheesy grits. Not really, but mashed potato or polenta mixed with cheese. Delicious.
Third is a bit of mid dessert. Innocenti biscotti (cookies).
They make traditional tarts.
And various cookies. This kind had an apricot jam layer.
Then on the left chocolate dipped and on the right hazelnut macaroons, not so different than my mother’s Passover macaroons, but those use almonds.
Fourth is cheese at Anitica Caciara.
Dairy on display.
And the fresh stuff that never is that great in the states.
It goes on and on.
But we came for the Pecorino Romana, here seen aging. Notice the olive oil drip to the right. It literally oozes oil as it dries.
Fresh Pecorino. Nutty and mild.
Aged Pecorino Romano. Stronger and delicious.
After cheese is meat! Antica Norcineria.
Specializing in the famous Porchetta!
Have a few cured meats.
Or olives.
The “white pizza”, otherwise known as focaccia.
And the porchetta itself, drizzled with olive oil.
These last two are assembled into the “sandwich.”
And the vegetarians got some olives, ricotta, and honey.
Next, on to I Suppli for more snacks.
Fried stuff.
And this kind of Roman pizza by the slice.
The Suppli is really well fried and served piping hot.
Inside is a delicious mix of risotto, cheese, and meat. Really delicious.
Enotecca Ferrara is where we will fill up apparently.
Typical cute inside.
Some slightly sweet prosecco.
This Italian Merlot doesn’t even make it onto Cellar Tracker. It wasn’t too bad for a YOUNG merlot.
Ricotta with cheese and pomodoro sauce. A bit of a peppery kick too, quite nice.
cacio e pepe. The classic Roman pasta. Love it.
Gnocci with scamorza (smoked mozzarella).
And what would an Italian food tour be without gelato? Fatamorgana.
All organic, this gelato place was has very interesting flavors like “pears, porto wine, and elder”!
I got passionfruit and grapefruit with orange or lemon. The grapefruit in particular was amazing, with a 10 minute finish! This place is a little less creamy (I think they use less dairy) but VERY tasty.
And they have gelato sushi!
Or some of these Italian ice cream confectionaries.
All in all, a delightful evening of really yummy treats. If you are in Rome and love food I highly recommend it. The wine was too young and casual for my taste, but the food, without being fancy, was fabulous. It showed up the kind of street food and ingredient focused items that would easily be overlooked, but make Italy just so tasty.
