#he made ricotta gnocchi once??? it was THE BEST EVER | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

teamchamtravels · 3 years

Text

DAY 66, OCT 6, Rome, Italy 🇮🇹

Today was the day of our cooking class! We slept in till the last possible moment then made our way to the meeting point for the class. We found a professional chef with his own cooking class company, Chef-in-a-Day. His name was Federico, and he turned out to be an exceptional teacher and chef!

We thought we were meeting the group at 9 (because of our Viator reservation), but everyone got there around 9:30. And it was pouring rain! We could have slept for 20 more minutes! Once the whole group arrived (there were about 6 of us), we went to the market in Campo d’Fiori (also the site of the Michelangelo Moses statue) and got supplies for our day: a bunch of different tomatoes, peaches, broccoli, and some Roman zucchini. After that, we needed a bit more from the super market (cheese, flour, wine, etc.)

When we had all the ingredients, we walked to where we’d be cooking, which happened to be like 3 minutes walk away from our Airbnb. It was a beautiful space with a big table and a full kitchen. Chef Federico and his assistant Mildred got us all set up! We learned about the different types of tomatoes he had chosen, and how to make the best “mother” sauce for the pasta. It turns out that it all depends on the types of tomatoes! They’re rated based on their acidity (skin), bitterness (seeds), and sweetness (flesh).

After we chopped up all the veggies for the sauces, we also prepared the potatoes for the gnocchi (so excited!). This part was also super interesting because you boil the potatoes in a TON of rock salt! (360g per liter). This dehydrates the potatoes as they cook which will help with the gnocchi dough later on.

Then, we got to make the pasta! We made the dough in the traditional italian way by making a little volcano with the flour and cracking our eggs in the middle, beating them in the flour. Then, we kneaded it until it was fully combined and the gluten was developed, and we let it rest for a while (we enjoyed some wine while we waited). Chef Federico is also working on his own hotel business / cooking class combo in Umbria, and he produces olive oil from his property, so we got to try some of that with some bread and wine! So good!

Next, we had to prepare the stuffed pasta (Tortellini). The chef prepared and cut the dough for us, and then we stuffed it, really similarly to dumplings! The filling was ricotta, zuchini, parmesan, and some onion. Chels was really good at making them, she’s an expert already!

After the pasta had rested, we put it through the spahgetti machine, which each of us got to operate. When that pasta was ready, we cooked it up and had our first course! Angel hair spaghetti with tomato sauce & parmiggiano, basil, carmelized grape tomatoes, topped with Stracciatella cheese. Literally some of the best pasta we’ve ever had!

Then, we watched as the Chef prepared the tortellini, by cooking it al dente, then finishing it in a butter, water, and parmesan sauce. It was so creamy! He showed us how they actually use the starches in the pasta itself to help make the sauce creamy without adding a ton of extra stuff into it. This, of course was some of the best stuffed pasta we ever had too. This is ruining pasta for us people! We have been to the mountain top!

Last, but not least was the gnocchi! This was cool to cook as well, once you make the dough and roll it out and cut it, that’s all you need to do! Throw it in the boiling water, and once it floats, it’s ready to take out. The sauce for the gnocchi was based on the broccolis from earlier, with tons of olive oil, parmesan, and that’s all! But it was so creamy and delicious!

For dessert the chef had prepared some peaches in white wine, and it was the perfect ending to the perfect meal.

We cannot recommend this experience enough, it was worth EVERY PENNY.

At this point it was around 4pm, and we were finished for the day. We went back to the airbnb, and relaxed and then went to sleep! (btw Sam finished the entire season of Squid game in one day, it was so crazy!).

Such an amazing day and experience!

P.S. if anyone goes to Rome and wants to do this, here’s the link to the experience! https://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/An-educational-party-cooking-class-with-PROFESSIONAL-chef/d511-31090P1

#europe

1 note · View note

thisislizheather · 5 years

Text

July Jiffs 2019

So technically the end of August is the appropriate time to start any and all Halloween/autumn talk (I think I made up that rule, but it feels right), so I’ll respect that and wait. Just know that I’m inwardly filling up with joy in anticipation of the best time of the year. Here’s what went down this month!

I made a list of some of my favourite summer vacation-y movies that I like to watch to pass the ungodly slow summer hours.

I read and reviewed the book Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed (the woman who wrote Wild).

We had a small party for July 4th and it was the best. Here’s what I made and loved: Panzanella Salad with Fresh Mozzarella (I used the How Sweet Eats recipe, but added mozzarella and omitted the corn and avocado - I also made the croutons the Ree Drummond way, because that’s the tastiest way), Spinach Bacon & Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms (because they’re so delicious I want to scream), I used bell peppers as the bowls for holding the ranch for the vegetables, Slow Cooker Ribs, Eggplant Lasagna (I can’t remember the recipe I used, but it was pretty basic), Peanut Butter & Nutella Cheesecake Bars (this was the second time I’ve made these and it’s a perfect dessert to make a night or two before so that it can really set up), Blueberry Lemon Bread, and a charcuterie board (which is like assembling food art & I love it).

My favourite fruit/vegetable season is the end of summer mainly because of the fresh tomatoes and corn, so I can’t wait to try some of these corn dishes available in NYC right now. Although I don’t know how any of them are going to compete with the corn gnocchi at Park Avenue Summer. (I just looked and there’s also a sweet corn agnolotti with black summer truffles on the menu now too, so things just got interesting.)

Jenn sent me a link to this lovely poem Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo that I just love.

I watched the AOC documentary Knock Down The House on Netflix and it’s so, so good. Cried at the ending.

I went on Nathan’s podcast to talk about dogs, cheating and movies.

I went for lunch at the cafe at Lilia in Brooklyn and it was ONLY AVERAGE. So that was disappointing. Maybe I ordered badly? I got the prosciutto, parmigiano butter, balsamic mustard sandwich - and even though it looks great (love whole grain mustard), it was really just too bready and not very flavourful.

Above Photo: Prosciutto, parmigiano butter, balsamic mustard sandwich at Lilia Cafe, Brooklyn

I saw Midsommar (by the same guy who did Hereditary last year) and I really liked it. Some parts are just unnecessarily graphic (and the slow motion shots of this stuff are insane to watch), but the plot was great. Love an original movie.

Watched the entirety of Champions on Netflix and it really bums me out that it got cancelled, it was a really fun show.

Made this chocolate chunk coconut banana bread and it was goooooood.

I visited the new TWA Hotel at JFK and wrote about it over here.

So excited to hear that there will be three more seasons of Big Mouth!

I also rewatched Dante’s Peak (still a great movie) and Twister (again, it holds up). I think I was in a natural disaster kinda mood that week.

Do you remember experiencing or hearing about the ride Kongfrontation at Universal Studios in Florida? I’ve only ever heard of it, but it seems like it was probably the best ride that ever existed at that park. I hate how most ride these days are just 3D screens with no real interaction or animatronics, it’s bullshit.

Fucking obsessed with this strawberry lemonade kombucha that’s apparently only available at Trader Joe’s. I thought their gingerade was the best flavour, but now I have to reassess everything. (Also tried the “watermelon wonder” but it’s pure trash.)

Some songs that I can’t stop listening to: You Need To Calm Down by Taylor Swift, Blow Your Mind by Dua Lipa, Everybody by Elliphant feat. Azealia Banks, Boys by Lizzo, Let Me Go by Hailee Steinfeld & Alesso feat. Florida Georgia Line & watt, Doin’ Time by Lana Del Ray, We Were Young by Petit Biscuit feat. JP Cooper, Calma (Remix) by Pedro Capo & Farruko

Apparently I can’t get enough of Bill Hader.

I refuse to shut up about how great the (square bottle) nail polishes are at Urban Outfitters. They’ve been consistently great for years. I’ve been wearing their neon pink Hot Tub off and on for at least five years, and they keep putting out wicked new colours. There’s almost always a 3 for $10 deal and recently I got Coffee Creamer, Sun Bunny & Optic White and they’re BEAUTIFUL.

It’s currently Restaurant Week again (it’s on until August 16th), so of course I went back to The Dutch for their beautiful wagyu steak tartare. I also had the corn cappelletti with chanterelle mushrooms and marjoram that was heavenly.

Above Photo: Wagyu steak tartare, The Dutch, NYC

Above Photo: Corn cappelletti, The Dutch, NYC

I saw The Farewell and it’s everything I wanted it to be and more! Definitely go see it. It also reminded me of this beautiful song that I had to sing for a competition once years ago, Caro Mio Ben.

There’s a deal with ClassPass where you can use the service for free for two weeks, so I tried it and it’s not that great. It’s just too expensive to justify having it when I already have a monthly gym membership somewhere else. I did try an aqua cycling class through Aqua Studio during the free trial and it was… only okay. I mean, it’s fun and great to be in the salt water, but it wasn’t all that challenging as a workout.

I wasn’t planning on buying it, but I tried it, loved it, so had to buy it: Glossier’s Brow Flick. I’m still learning how to use it properly, but so far I’m really into it. It inspired this eyebrow products video that I posted last week.

I saw Toy Story 4 and I really hope this is the final one they make because the ending was so good. That’s all I’ll say. Quality series of movies, right here.

Some friends of mine recently opened up a small, late night food place called Foodstruck in Astoria and the food is really good. They’ve just opened, so they’re still figuring out their hours but I think they’re catering to the late night crowd, especially servers/bartenders who get off work late. Check out some of the food specials from this past week.

Above Photo: Burger with gruyere, onion marmalade, sun dried tomatoes & a rosemary garlic butter on a potato bun

Above Photo: Fried boneless chicken thighs with a garlic soy tamarind glaze

Above Photo: Fried chicken sandwich with a spicy mayo, cheese sauce & pickles on a potato bun

My too-kind friend Irene got us a housewarming gift of a Diptyque candle (in eucalyptus) and somehow it’s still going after three months of daily use, which is incredible. Do not look up how expensive this candle is.

I watched To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before on Netflix and really liked it! Especially the hot tub scene. But let’s not get into it. I double-checked to make sure they’re both over 21 and they are, so all’s good.

Made this pappardelle pasta with mushroom ragu when Nathan was out of town (I like to get my mushroom recipes in when he’s gone) and it’s definitely going on my favourite-dinner-recipes list.

I ate at Misi in Brooklyn because I’ve wanted to go for ages and the pasta was solid as hell, I’d definitely go back. We had the charred peppers, marjoram, and whipped ricotta crostini, the corzetti with marinated sungold (peeled) tomatoes, garlic, pecorino & summer herbs (have you ever eaten a PEELED tomato? It almost feels wrong. The good kind of wrong), the strangozzi with pork sugo, nutmeg and parmigiana and for dessert we had the strawberries and cream gelato (it was a special that night) and the espresso gelato. Everything was so crazy good. The service was fantastic and the space is huge. Is it better than Lilia or L'Artusi (pasta-wise)? Ugh, that's such a hard question. It's really good. I'll have to revisit to get more intel to make a final decision on that.

I went to Coney Island with Irene and it was great, as it always should be.

I visited the Profundo Day Club (mainly to get my ass in a pool) earlier this month, and I highly doubt that I’ll return. Mostly because even though the pool was nice (small, but nice) and refreshing, the blaring house music in the middle of the day was a little excessive. There’s also a disco ball above the pool itself. And a unicorn floatie that drifts around the water. And waitresses who shoot sparklers off when someone buys a bottle of liquor. It’s… not for me, let’s say. And the cheapest pass was $70 (tax included), which is waaaay too expensive for Queens. Let’s be real.

There’s a new season of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee and the Martin Short episode is just lovely. It almost killed me when he was talking about when he bought his house and said, “We bought it in 1986” even though his wife passed away years ago. Am I being ridiculous in thinking that him using the word “we” is so sad and sweet and nice? Or maybe that’s a normal thing to say and I’d melt at anything to come out of his mouth. And while it was a good episode, I got so fucking sick of all the filler shots of coffee being brewed, coffee being poured into a cup, beans being tossed in a can, flowers sitting in vases - for fuck sake JUST TALK TO MARTIN SHORT AND SHOW ME THAT. Annoying as hell.

Nathan and I started watching season three of Stranger Things and… it’s not good? We saw all of the first season, which was pretty good. Attempted season two and never finished it because it became boring. And last week, we watched the first couple episodes of season three and I think we’ve silently agreed on just stopping it altogether. And look, I’m happy other people like it, but it’s just not for me. Demogorgons are too close to being dragons, maybe that’s why I can’t care about them?

I like to go to at least one baseball game each season, so I went to a Mets game last weekend and got this beauty that was the giveaway (below) since it was the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

Honestly, this bobblehead makes me so happy for some reason. I love going to Citi Field especially ‘cause the food is always so good. We got the filet mignon steak sandwich from the aptly named Pat LaFrieda’s Original Filet Mignon Steak Sandwich, incredible fries from Box Frites, souvenir cups & drinks from Effen Vodka Bar, mozzarella sticks from Big Mozz, and chips & queso with ginger lime margaritas from Cantina.

Above Photo: Pat LaFrieda’s filet mignon steak sandwich, Citi Field

Above Photo: Fries with parmesan ranch and cheese sauce from Box Frites, Citi Field

Two new things that I’m going to start doing:

1. Buying less things off of Amazon. If there’s an alternative, independently run company that I can find the item at (and if the price isn’t wildly more expensive) then I’ll shop there instead. Every new thing I hear about Amazon makes me shudder, and I hate that it’s become my default place for me to buy anything.

2. If a store/restaurant is cashless (ie. credit cards only), then I’ll refuse to shop there. It’s insane that this isn’t illegal everywhere yet. I’m so sick of it and cash should be accepted everywhere, it’s nuts that I even need to say that. (I was excited to have lunch at Ole & Steen in Union Square for lunch the other day, but they’re “cashfree” so fuck them!)

Some things that I’m looking forward to doing this month: I’ve already sent in my email requesting tickets for Saturday Night Live (you can only request tickets during the entire month of August), I can’t wait to see Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark with Layla, there’s a tomato gelato that I want to try that sounds either awful or life-affirming, going on our anniversary trip at the end of the month, excited for a Canyon Creek caesar salad with Harmeet, planning on going to the CNE with my mom (haven’t done this in years), going to two weddings (!!) and I love weddings, being in a pool with Marla and a bunch of our kids, and taking advantage of a few more Restaurant Week specials. Excited for the last month of trash weather!

#Liz Heather #Nathan Macintosh #July Jiffs 2019 #monthly roundup #summer #NYC #best of NYC #best summer #Positive Anger

0 notes

dianashealthyliving · 5 years

Text

One of my favourite things about visiting a new city is exploring the culinary delicacies of each destination. Get ready to indulge, as Rome has no shortage of restaurants or pasta. I’m pretty sure I could eat pasta every day.

Dining in Rome

Aroma Rome

Michelin starred AROMA is located in the Penthouse of the Palazzo Manfredi. The menu offers classic Italian dishes on an outdoor terrace with majestic views of the Colosseum.

The 28 seat restaurant is ideal for a special lunch or dinner. Roman-born Chef Di Lorio has been Aroma’s head chef since it opened in 2010. He has developed a menu that highlights traditional Italian cooking with fresh ingredients.

I would recommend the tasting menu where Giuseppe Di Iorio Executive Chef, will accompany you in a renewed gastronomic journey in which he reveals his philosophy and culinary essence, made of creativity, passion, research, technique and respect for the raw material.

Aroma is probably one of the priciest restaurants in Rome. It can easily set you back $400 Euros for a lunch for two, but if you are looking for a unique dining experience with exquisite food, then it is worth the price.

READ NEXT: WHERE TO STAY IN ROME

Trattoria da Paolo

Alicia of Miles Less Traveled

Trattoria da Paolo, Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 92, 00153 Roma RM, Italia di S. Francesco a Ripa, 92, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Resting on the corner of a small side street in the hipster neighbourhood of Trastevere, this Roman restaurant does not look like much at first glance. The tables are adorned with the stereotypical red and white checkered clothes, the menu is as simple as can be and it’s not close to any specific attraction. But don’t be fooled. The simplicity and hominess of Trattoria da Paolo is what makes it so good.

The lone server, Angelo, speaks mostly Italian but still somehow manages to communicate with those visiting who don’t, making jokes at the guest’s expense in a good-natured way that will have you feeling like your at Grandpas house. The food is comforting and delicious: bowls heaped high with varying kinds of pasta, sauces, and meats and seafood, stewed meats that fall off the bone, and the special antipasto plate that changes nightly. Unlike other restaurants that taste this good in Rome, eating here won’t break the bank. The average meal will cost you roughly 15 Euro.

In the Summer, like most Rome restaurants, the tables spill out onto the sidewalk, lit softly from the indoors. It is quintessential Roman: the friendly yet gruff staff, plate after plate of delicious, hearty pasta, and a meal that lasts hours from sheer enjoyment.

Romeow Cat Bistrot

Angela from Rome Actually

One of my favourite vegetarian restaurants in Rome is Romeow Cat Bistrot (Via Francesco Negri 15). Bistrot and restaurant, it’s located in the Ostiense area, the neighbourhood home to the relics of Rome’s industrial archaeology. All around the restaurant you can visit places like the Centrale Montemartini Museum, the old Gasometer, and view the street art along Via Ostiense and Via del Porto Fluviale streets.

Romeow Cat Bistrot serves only vegan dishes prepared with no animal products. The menu and the ingredients change depending on the season, so in summer you would find more refreshing dishes made with veggies like zucchini, tomatoes and eggplants, while Fall and winter are the time for broccoli, pumpkin, chestnuts, lentils and so on.

The dishes are delicious and the combination of ingredients daring yet spot-on. Some of the courses I had included dumplings on a tempeh ragout, spinach and ginger, soy and chickpea burger with chips on paprika and avocado cream, and crunchy rolls stuffed with Sicilian broccoli and toasted hazelnuts.

The restaurant is not a cheap eat in Rome, with most fares ranging from 12 to 15 euro up for the main courses and between 8 to 10 euros for starters and appetizers.

Here, I liked the serene ambiance and the cats wandering around. While guests are asked not to stress the furry hosts by waking them, grabbing them or attracting them with the food, they are welcome to pet them if the cats make the first move and get close for some cuddling.

If alongside traditional foods you also like to try more adventurous flavours and dishes, you will love Romeow.

Pastificio Guerra

Melissa of The Family Voyage

Our favourite restaurant in Rome is Pastificio Guerra near the Spanish Steps. While it’s not a traditional sit-down restaurant, this spot is an absolute can’t-miss. The menu rotates daily, but all of the kinds of pasta and sauces are made fresh in the kitchen right behind the counter. Everything is served without fanfare in takeaway containers and that’s just fine with us – Pastificio can focus on making some of the city’s best pasta without worrying about a wait staff or charging more for a fancy presentation.

The most remarkable thing about Pastificio is that it’s some of the best pasta you’ll ever eat, yet one of the cheapest meals you can find at a restaurant anywhere: just €4 for pasta and wine. No joke. They’ve been serving up deals to tourists and locals alike for a century!

Deciding when to visit Pastificio is a bit of an art – come at peak times and you could wait in line for ages, come too late and you’ll find fewer options from the day’s menu. Once an item is gone, it’s gone! If you come at a time when the shop isn’t too busy, you’ll be able to stand around the shop’s perimeter and use the small counters to stand for your meal while you ogle the packages pasta for sale.

Trattoria Sora Lella

Sherrie at TravelbyAsherrieaffair

One of the most historic restaurants in Rome is the Sora Lella, located on the only little island on the Tiber River that runs through the city. The Roman people may have turned their backs on the Tiber River, but they will never turn their backs on Sora Lella. Opened in 1959 by Elena “Lella” Fabrizi an actor herself and the sister of Italy’s famous actor Aldo Fabrizi. Immediately it became a popular place for movie stars visiting the city like Aldo himself, and Alberto Sordi.

Today the restaurant is still run by family members as they keep up the wonderful tradition of making delicious very authentic Italian dishes. Earning a well-deserved Michelin Star. You will find some items on the menu that you will recognize but it the regional food that they are famous for. Like Sweetbreads of Lamb with Marsala wine, Roman-Style Veal tripe with tomato sauce flavoured with mint and pecorino cheese, Home-made Gnocchi in a classic Roman sauce with seasoned pork cheeks, tomatoes and Roman pecorino cheese. The desserts especially their Tiramisu are delizioso!

The cost of meals are a little above average in the price range, but so worth it! The best part is the family atmosphere and the history that follows this trattoria. We enjoy going every time we are in Rome. Letting them know that we are distant relatives when we take our seats, they treat us like close family members each and every time.

Nonna Betta

Katy of Untold Morsels

In the heart the Jewish Ghetto district, Nonna Betta is the place to go for home-style kosher cooking in Rome. Jews have played an important part in the city’s food culture for over 2,000 years and this heritage is celebrated at Nonna Betta. The restaurant is cozy and inviting thanks to low hanging wrought iron lanterns hovering over wooden tables. And the staff are more than happy to take you through the menu full of Roman Jewish classics.

Meals at Nonna Betta are homely and hearty. Must try dishes include agnolotti pasta with stracotto (pot roast sauce), pumpkin flowers and baccalà (codfish) with tomato and onion sauce. But most people come for the famous carciofo alla giudia (Jewish style artichokes). Deep fried and seasoned with salt and chilli, they are one of Rome’s iconic dishes and you’ll wonder why you ordered just one serve. For dessert, you can try Middle Eastern style treats like baklava and or the house specialty ricotta cheesecake.

After dining, take a walk through this fascinating part of Rome. The impressive ruins of the Portico d’Ottavia, an ancient Roman walkway, are just steps from the restaurant. Stroll a little further and you reach Teatro Marcello, a huge amphitheatre and entertainment space founded by Julius Caesar.

Nonna Betta is a casual and popular eatery with Romans as well as tourists so it is wise to book ahead, particularly for dinner and on weekends. Expect to pay €20-€30 for a two-course meal without wine. http://www.nonnabetta.it/

Salumeria Roscioli

Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic

It’s easy to get caught in a tourist trap in Rome, I’ve certainly gone places based on top picks on travel review sites only to find out that only tourists eat there. Or even worse, Anthony Bourdain ate somewhere amazing and featured it on his show and it becomes a completely different place in order to deal with the new influx of people.

But Roscioli is where locals go. It’s been around for four generations and where Italian chefs visit when coming to Rome. I follow a lot of chefs who own Italian restaurants in North America. So when planning a trip to Rome I asked them where I should eat and overwhelmingly they said Roscioli was one of their favourites.

But you must love cured meat like prosciutto and lardo di Colonnata because a salumeria is a deli and this one also has a restaurant.

It’s easy to get to, nearby Campo dei Fiori and Via Arenula. I recommend sitting at the bar instead of a table. You can see more of the action and talk to the servers who will share their favourite places to eat.

This is a splurge and you could easily spend $100. You can eat more economically but they serve the best quality burrata in Italy, and the cured meat is incredible. If you’d like something more substantial you cannot miss the cacio e pepe pasta.

Reservations are a must and most hotel concierges know this spot well enough to get you one. If you’re staying in an apartment you can book online at http://www.roscioli.com/

If you love this spot you must also visit their bakery around the corner at Via dei Chiavari.

Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22, 00186 Roma

Trattoria Vecchia Roma

Claudia of My Adventures Across the World

There is no doubt that one of the top things to do in Rome is eating at Trattoria Vecchia Roma, one of the most delicious restaurants in the city. Located in Via Ferruccio 12 B/C, a rather hidden street near Vittorio Emanuele square and Vittorio Emanuele metro station, it’s a favourite of locals and has yet to be discovered by tourists, who can be easily spotted inside as they are the only ones sipping cappuccino after a meal (no Italian would do that!). This is probably due to the fact that no major tourist attractions are nearby (though the area is definitely central, between Stazione Termini and San Giovanni in Laterano).

Trattoria Vecchia Roma serves typical dishes of Roman cuisine, such as “abbacchio alla scottadito” (chargrilled lamb chops); “tonnarelli cacio e pepe” (tonnarelli pasta in a cheese and pepper sauce); “bucatini all’amatriciana” (bucatini pasta in amatriciana sauce, made with guanciale and tomatoes). There is a fantastic salad bar to pick a variety of vegetable dishes: the most typical one is puntarelle, which is made with the sprouts of chicory and a simple dressing of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and anchovies; another one is lightly stir-fried chicory with garlic and chilli. Last but not least, the zucchini flowers are to die for: stuffed with anchovies and a bit of mozzarella, dipped in a light batter and fried until moist yet crispy, this is one of the most typical dishes of local cuisine.

The average cost of a meal at Trattoria Vecchia Roma is 20 to 22 euro. If you go for the set meal, it’s 27 euro for a full meal which includes appetizers, a pasta course, a meat course, side dishes of salad or roast potatoes, dessert, coffee, drinks and liquors.

Portions are huge, so unless you are very hungry, don’t go for the full menu and share at least some of the dishes.

What’s special about Trattoria Vecchia Roma is that it’s retained its local character since the day it was founded, in 1916 (yes, it’s been around for over 100 years!); the food is delicious and the prices are honest. It’s a popular place, so make sure to call in advance to reserve a table. And please, do not order a cappuccino after your meal. You’ll be served one, but you’re going to be frowned upon!

Joseph Ristorante

Kate of Our Escape Clause

Far from the crowds of the Colosseum and tucked into a more local neighbourhood in Rome sits Joseph Ristorante.

It’s quiet, unpretentious, and during lunch on weekdays, arguably the best deal in town.

During lunch on Monday – Friday, they run a lunch special that covers a meal (usually a pick of around 6-8 different kinds of pasta or a meat dish), bread, wine, and dessert… all for 8 Euros flat! Service is friendly and easy-going (though mostly in Italian–brush up on your restaurant Italian before you go!), and we love the casual environment.

The food is wonderful–we’re obsessed with the carbonara in particular–and the atmosphere perfect. For dessert, we’re usually partial to the tiramisu or the pannacotta with caramel–but the chocolate mousse is fantastic as well.

While plenty of tourists do come by, you’ll hear more Italian than English spoken at the tables around you during these lunches.

We originally stumbled across this restaurant due to staying near it: odds are, you will have to intentionally choose to come out here, as there aren’t any major attractions nearby. Joseph Ristorante is less and a 5-minute walk from the Line A Cornelia metro stop–just an extra 3 stops or so past the Vatican! Joseph Ristorante would make a perfect stop after visiting the museums in the morning, especially if you have an all-day metro pass.

We’ve eaten here at least half a dozen times during our various visits to Rome… and we fully intend to keep coming back whenever we’re in town.

Antica Trattoria da Pietro al Pantheon

Kate of Wanderlust Chronicles

Located in a little alleyway behind the Pantheon in Rome, is this charming restaurant nestled in between touristy food options. This hole in the wall restaurant has a charming candlelit interior with artwork all over the walls and staff that speak a little English with a lovely, thick Italian accent. It feels like you are eating in Nonna’s living room. But don’t worry, they have menus in English to bridge the language barrier if needed. I love the atmosphere of the restaurant and the area it is in. It feels like such a secret find when the road is filled with touristy restaurant options and then you stumble inside this cute restaurant.

The restaurant is famous for artichokes, when in season, and fresh truffles, which are to die for. But my favourite dish was their take on the traditional Roman pasta dish, Pasta Alla Gricia, which is perfectly cooked al dente pasta dressed with pork cheek bits, pecorino, garlic, and black pepper. Its simplicity is what makes it delicious. They also serve up a delicious Bucatini Alla Amatriciana, another one of their takes on a Roman classic. They specialize in pasta dishes, so don’t come here if you are looking for a pizza. Their dishes are approximately 20 euros each because the restaurant is in a touristy area. But you have to love a restaurant that provides you with a free glass of prosecco if you have to wait for a seat, even if it’s only a few minutes wait!

Have you been to Rome? I would love to hear your food recommendations.

Where to Eat and Drink in Rome, Italy One of my favourite things about visiting a new city is exploring the culinary delicacies of each destination.

0 notes

almostdiplomatic · 5 years

Text

Will you travel for good food? I think it’s one of the best excuses to get off your lazy bum, hop on a train, and discover a new place and some flavours. Last month, I found myself doing just that. We (and by we, I mean my friend Ute along with a couple of other food journalists) were on an important mission around mid-June. We took a short trip to see whether Medinis, the new Italian restaurant facing the Baltic Sea, was worth the trek from Berlin.

Welcome to Medinis

It’s not that far but it’s not a hop across the pond either. We took the Deutsche Bahn to Rostock and was fetched at their Hauptbahnhof by a van. A short drive later, we were in Heiligendamm. A seaside resort town that’s been around since the late 1700s, it’s a popular destination for royalty to relax and unwind when the sun was out. It recently got a facelift as well. A fancy, new hotel, modernised villas, and dining options can be seen right by the sandy beaches.

youtube

The ‘White City by the Sea’

Chef Luigi Frascella who used to head private members’ club ‘Harry’s Bar’ in London was convinced to move to the idyllic location and set up his own restaurant there by real estate mogul Anno August Jagdfeld himself. Jagdfeld is currently redeveloping Heiligendamm and was convinced Frascella’s talent was what he needed for the new restaurant in the complex.

#gallery-0-19 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-19 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-19 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-19 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

“I love it here. My wife, my daughter – they are happy living here,” Frascella said with a contented smile on his face. “The sunsets are always different, the produce is fresh. It’s a beautiful place.” As the ‘Perlenkette’ (pearl necklace) villas next door are given a new lease on life, Frascella gets to run his restaurant nearby. And it seems nothing makes him happier.

While al fresco dining at Medinis gives you a wonderful view of the Baltic Sea, Germany’s unpredictable weather is not enough reason for you to eat at home instead. The restaurant’s interior is utterly divine. Mr Jagdfeld’s wife, famed interior and landscape designer Anne Maria Jagdfeld, created a cosy yet elegant space for windy evenings and even chilly days.

For foodies and families looking for a special meal during their beach holiday, it looks like the most wonderful setting. “It’s not easy to keep an elegant restaurant next to the beach,” Frascella admitted. “It’s usually a casual setting near the water.”

Their team, however, succeeded in creating a sophisticated, inviting space that won’t intimidate.

#gallery-0-20 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-20 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-20 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-20 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

The most calming combination of blue and white dominate the interior. It reminds people of the vastness of the sky and the sea. Huge windows allow light to filter in while giving you an undisturbed view of the Baltic Sea. Outdoor seats were made to be lower than those inside to allow diners sitting indoors a slice of the view as well.

Classic Italian

Chef Luigi Frascella with his Parmesan and Pepper Breadsticks wrapped in Prosciutto

The Jagdfelds didn’t court Frascella for his expertise for nothing. An Italian was needed to run an Italian restaurant.

But it’s much more than that.

Frascella’s talent in making dishes from his motherland has the power to make you feel at home – and I’m not even Italian. Is comfort an ingredient he imports as well? One can only wonder.

Paired with the view, the warm breeze, and great company that day, I found myself feeling so relaxed with a mouthful of potato salad and truffle shavings.

My type-A personality hardly ever allows me to just let go and enjoy moments during the day but I was doing just that.

Maybe living by the sea and eating Frascella’s creations daily is the answer to fully getting rid of my anxieties? Ah, that would be the dream.

Only the best

#gallery-0-21 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-21 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-21 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-21 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Insalata di Patate e Tartufo

Fresh Focaccia made in-house

Bread freshly made in-house, truffles shaved on to your plate, balsamic vinegar on tables brought in from a small producer in Modena. It’s in the little things, after all. As for their source in Germany, bio farm Gut Vorder Bollhagen is just a kilometre down the road.

“They provide our ingredients. The chickens are moved every 10 days and they get to feed near the sea. Grass in this area is also saltier which makes the meat taste better,” Frascella said.

Peperoni Arrosto Marinati e Acciughe

The Peperoni Arrosto Marinati e Acciughe even features anchovies from Spain. “I like the ones that come from the Atlantic Ocean,” Frascella said. “They have more muscle.”

As someone who loves anchovies to death but looks at bell peppers with disdain, I now know that the only place I’d let paprika anywhere near my mouth is if it’s from Medinis. The fish’s salty flavours gave the bell peppers a whole new flavour profile and I’m all for it.

Summer picks

#gallery-0-22 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-22 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-0-22 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-22 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Carpaccio di Manzo

Carpaccio di Branzino

It’s not an Italian meal without carpaccio and Frascella took his beef version to the next level by using mustard instead of the same old lemon juice. It’s got a slightly spicier kick than your usual and is balanced out by the parmesan. Divine.

For a healthier choice, I highly recommend the fish version (Branzino) which used sea bass, a lemon confit dressing, and was topped with vegetables. A refreshing, summer dish.

Insalata di Anguria

Speaking of refreshing, the Insalata di Anguria is something that you should order if you want something that says summer all over it. Sweet and salty at the same time. Creamy because of the feta but not cloying thanks to the miso dressing on top. A light crunch adds texture to each bite due to the fresh watermelons and salad.

Fiori di Zucca

Another favourite of mine from the whole meal is the Fiori di Zucca. Zucchini flower stuffed with ricotta cheese and honey cooked in a way that the flower becomes a light, crunchy shell. Cutting through it was such a joy and having the melted ricotta and honey in your mouth played into my bias for the sweet and salty combo. Just be careful that you don’t bite into it when it’s too hot so the ricotta won’t burn your tongue.

Heaven for pasta

Ravioli di Ossobuco

The bad thing about my job is how it elevates my standards for food. Sometimes, a little too much. After having Frascella’s Gnocchi Pomodoro e Basilico, I couldn’t make pasta at home knowing it would not taste remotely the same.

The cure to this is usually me going for a different cuisine for a week. (I went for Vietnamese and lots of Middle Eastern dishes before I could eat pasta again.) Helps your tastebuds forget a little.

I also enjoyed the Ravioli di Ossobuco and a version with sharp, sheep cheese.

If you want to see how they looked, check the three-minute video I posted above about our visit. You’ll see not just how the trip went but how creamy the sauces are.

Fruti di mare

“Steak or prawns?” Frascella asked the group. At this point, we were utterly full. But leaving Medinis without trying any of their grilled dishes would have been blasphemous. The decision was unanimous and we went for fresh, gigantic prawns, grilled in a Spanish Josper grill.

It was magical, especially with the spiced, salty salad it came with.

Gamberoni alla Griglia alla Pizzaiola

#gallery-0-23 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-23 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-23 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-23 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Sweetness as a weakness

I said we’re full but how can one leave without having dessert?

#gallery-0-24 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-24 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-24 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-24 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

Lemon Sorbet

Cioccolato Fondente di Hani, Gelato alla Vaniglia di Haiti

Ananas Sorbet

Truly a sweet ending to the whole trip. Frascella also picked the flower beside the lemon sorbet on the way to work.

Is it worth it?

As someone who will travel for food, you’ll probably think I’m biased when I say that it is. But really – I look at other gnocchis with sadness now.

For people looking for a meal that will impress even the pickiest Italian friend, this is also the restaurant for you.

I say make a trip out of it. Stay in the hotel, have a wonderful weekend by the sea, and enjoy the food. Time it with a special occasion and there won’t be any guilt over the calories and the money you’ll spend on multiple meals at Medinis. Once you try the food there, it will seem pointless to look elsewhere in the area. Yes, it is on the pricier side but for the quality and the service you get on this side of the world, it actually feels like a steal.

Medinis

Prof.-Dr.-Vogel-Straße 14, 18209 Bad DoberanProf.-Dr.-Vogel-Straße 14, 18209 Bad Doberan Open daily from 1200-1500, 1800-2230 Call for reservations: 038203 400647 Visit their website

More later.

Video: Medinis in Heiligendamm – Perfect Day Trip from Berlin Will you travel for good food? I think it's one of the best excuses to get off your lazy bum, hop on a train, and discover a new place and some flavours.

#Germany #Heiligendamm #Restaurants

0 notes

kazheadrestcom · 7 years

Text

Traveling in California: The Central Coast – Ojai

In our continuing exploration of the California central coast, we take a short trip into the mountains to visit Ojai. Located about 15 miles from the coast and a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, Ojai is miles away from the fast paced life of its neighbor to the south and has been a retreat for world travelers for over a 100 years. Ojai is situated in a small east-west valley, north of Ventura and east of Santa Barbara at the base of the Topatopa Mountains.

ANCIENT AND OLD TIME OJAI

The Chumash Indians have inhabited the Ojai valley for more than 10,000 years. Ojai derives its name from the Ventureño Chumash word ʼawhaý meaning “moon”. The Chumash believe “that the valley holds mystical powers and that a magnification of energy exists exuding a peaceful sacredness that can be felt. This energy that first drew the Chumash to the valley has been celebrated through the years and many believe today that Ojai is a ‘vortex’ – an unseen force that concentrates energy. Some equate this vortex to the valley’s unusual positioning in the mountain range that runs east to West and that this helps concentrate geological tremors and atmospheric energy. Others point to geology and that the stratified mountain rocks inlaid with quartz can harness energy, transmitting it along the lines of the vortex.” [1]

The area became part of the Rancho Ojai Mexican land grant made to Fernando Tico in 1837, and he established a cattle ranch. Tico sold it in 1853 without much success to prospectors searching for oil. By 1864, the area was settled. [2]

One of the things that make Ojai so charming is that almost all chain stores are restricted in the city. [3] Signage is also regulated. This provides a look of timelessness and serenity that Ojai residents and visitors appreciate. It drives tourism and creates an atmosphere that is becoming unique in our cookie cutter world. If you compare the image below from 1935 to the recent photo of Ojai above, you can detect very little change. Of course the cars are different but the city itself seems frozen in time.

OJAI AND THE HAWAII CONNECTION

Most people associate the great Hawaiian surfing ambassador Duke Kahanamoku exclusively with the islands. However Duke spent a lot of time in Southern California throughout the 1910’s and 1920’s. The Southland was equally charmed with Duke and he made many friends there and was a particular favorite of the movie colony.

In late October of 1922, the prominent Ojai resident Sherman Day Thacher, hosted Duke Kahanamoku at the school that he founded. He had invited Duke to come up from Los Angeles to give a demonstration and swimming instructions to the assembled student body in the Thacher School’s pool. In reality the pool was a crude concrete structure that was used as a fire reservoir. It was filled by a nearby creek and was rather murky and full of algae. Duke braved the elements and put on what I am sure was an amazing exhibition. In the annals of Ojai, Duke’s visit still holds a place of honor. [4] OJAI FARMERS’ MARKET SALAD CRUDO OF PACIFIC YELLOWTAIL BLACK TRUFFLE RISOTTO CABERNET BRAISED SHORT RIB 49 potato fondue, cipollini onion agrodolce, heirloom carrots, black garlic RICOTTA GNOCCHI 20 drake family farms goat cheese, estate lemon, arugula, seasonal vegetables CRUDO OF PACIFIC YELLOWTAIL 21 orange, fennel, hass avocado, california sea salt, extra virgin olive oil

OJAI FESTIVALS

One of the things that makes Ojai so pleasant are the festivals. The Ojai Music Festival (founded in 1947) is an annual festival of performances by some of the world’s top musicians and composers, and occurs on the first weekend after Memorial Day. Notable appearances include Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Pierre Boulez, who was festival director in 2003. “Curious audiences gather at the Ojai Music Festival each year for a transcendent musical communing in the beautiful Ojai Valley. Every Festival follows the lead of a new music director, accommodating wildly different styles and approaches.” In 2017, the festival is being conducted by Grammy-nominated composer-pianist Vijay Iyer (pronounced “VID-jay EYE-yer”). He is “one of the most interesting and vital young pianists in jazz today,” and has been voted DownBeat Magazine‘s Artist of the Year three times. He is a professor of the arts in the Department of Music at Harvard University. This should make this year’s festival lively and modern.

Its official, June is lavender month in Ojai and the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival kicks off on the 26th of the month. “Libbey Park will once again fill with mellow crowds who come for the marvelous sights, sounds and soothing aromas of the many varieties and textures of lavender and lavender products. Living lavender plants and fresh bouquets abound and vendors never fail to surprise and delight visitors with new and unique wares. Growers and producers offer talks on all things lavender. Live music, delicious food and the smell of lavender weaves a magical enchantment that will turn your day into an unforgettable experience.”

OJAI VALLEY INN AND SPA

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is “The” place to stay while visiting Ojai. The resort has a long and rich history. “In 1923, Edward Drummond Libbey, a wealthy Ohio glass manufacturer and philanthropist, commissioned California architect Wallace Neff to build the Ojai Country Club in the Spanish Colonial architectural style. From its earliest days, guests felt the Inn was an escape, a sequestered yet sophisticated getaway that gave them the sense of being on their own private country estate. And ever since 1937, when Frank Capra used the sweeping mountain vistas of the valley as Shangri-La in his film Lost Horizon, the valley has become synonymous with mystical beauty and hidden enchantment. A different kind of notoriety distinguished the inn in 1942 when it was transformed into Camp Oak for a military training center for the Army, and later for the U.S. Navy, which used the grounds for a rest and recuperation facility.

“Ever since returning to private ownership in 1947, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has played host to countless celebrities from nearby Hollywood and an impressive roster of golf pros who return year after year to play the historic course. In 1999, the acclaimed golf course was restored, which included the return of two “lost” signature holes. In 2004, an extensive renovation was completed which upgraded every corner of the resort while maintaining the historical integrity of the property.”

THE SPA

At the Spa Ojai you can have a very unique healing experience developed at the facility called “Kuyam”. Kuyam is a Chumash Native American Indian word that means “a place to rest together”. This is used to describe a spa treatment that “combines the therapeutic effects of self-applied desert clay infused with essential oils, intense dry heat and inhalation therapy. In a sauna-like environment, the journey is guided by a traditional Chumash narrative. This unique detoxifying experience is concluded with a refreshing rinse and presentation of herbal tea while your body core temperature cools.” The spa uses “freshly-harvested, resort-grown produce and blossoming flowers” in many of “Spa Ojai’s sought-after seasonal treatments”. For a truly relaxing and healing experience spend some time treating yourself to one of their custom packages. And of course lavender will be involved.

GOLF

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has one of the best golf courses around. “The world-class Ojai Country Club was one of the first great golf courses in Southern California. Designed and originally built in 1923 under the direction of George C. Thomas, Jr. and Billy Bell, the course was hailed as “a marvel of golfing architecture.” Thomas, who also designed courses at the Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles country clubs, had two initial considerations for the Ojai course: “…that the average golfer could enjoy his round without too great a penalty, and that a test must be afforded requiring the low-handicap man to play fine golf in order to secure pars.”

“In its eight decades, the golf course has been made even more famous by the pros and celebrities who have chosen it for exhibition play and competition. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Will Smith, Kevin Costner, Michael Douglas and a host of Hollywood stars have visited over the years to play the course. The Inn has hosted seven Senior PGA TOUR events that brought legendary superstars such as Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Tom Weiskopf, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Ben Crenshaw to the course. Add golf to your activities and experience firsthand one of the world’s championship golf courses. Enjoy a challenging and rewarding golfing experience no matter what your level of play. The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has been selected for membership in Great Golf Resorts of the World.”

CUISINE

“For more than ninety years, The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has maintained a connection to locally grown food. Its signature restaurant, Olivella represents the epitome of this sense of place. Olivella’s valley-to-table culinary program is supported by the local Ojai valleys, ranches, orchards, farms and ocean waters. The restaurant embraces the seasonal whims of the region, focusing on the bounty of year-round produce provided by the California Central Coast. Chef Andrea Rodella is proud to present a dining experience featuring the best ingredients of California with dishes and techniques inspired by his Italian heritage.” The menu features such delights as the Ojai Farmers Market Salad; Crudo of Pacific Yellowtail with orange, fennel, Hass avocado, California sea salt and extra virgin olive oil; Cabernet Braised Short Ribs with potato fondue, cipollini onion agrodolce, heirloom carrots and black garlic; Ricotta Gnocchi with Drake Family Farms goat cheese, estate lemon, arugula and seasonal vegetables. Chef Rodella was born and raised in Guastalla, Italy. He is passionate about cooking with seasonal, market-driven ingredients.Chef Rodella’s interest in cooking started at a young age, when his passion for discovering different cuisines collided with the northern Italian fare he was raised on. He was determined to learn how to cook with fresh ingredients, uniting tradition with innovation.” This provides the traveller with a unique and delicious dining experience.

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a destination resort worth seeing and will make your visit to Ojai something to remember.

THE OJAI SCENE

There are plenty of fun activities around Ojai that make people came back again and again. The Pink Moment, a rare and magical moment that draws thousands of visitors to Ojai every year happens as the fading sunset creates a brilliant shade of pink for several minutes on the Topa Topa bluffs- over 6,000 feet above sea level. Ojai’s culture is heavily focused on ecology, health and organic agriculture, walking/hiking, spirituality, music and local art. Sites to see include the Rose Valley Falls, a magnificent two-tier 300-foot waterfall located on the west end of the Topatopa Mountains in Los Padres National Forest. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range and while it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier.

Ojai is often seen as a hippie-friendly city, and many New Age shops exist. Whether you believe in this energy or not- there is something about the Ojai Valley that cannot be described – but felt- and the only way to explain it, is to visit for yourself.

from Blog – Kaz Headrest https://www.kazheadrest.com/blog/traveling-in-california-the-central-coast-ojai/

0 notes

kazheadrest · 7 years

Text

Traveling in California: The Central Coast – Ojai

ANCIENT AND OLD TIME OJAI

OJAI AND THE HAWAII CONNECTION

OJAI FESTIVALS

OJAI VALLEY INN AND SPA

THE SPA

GOLF

CUISINE

The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a destination resort worth seeing and will make your visit to Ojai something to remember.

THE OJAI SCENE

0 notes