SNO PLACE LIKE ROME: Buon appetito!

The cuisine of Italy, as many people know, is a whole new category of it's own. The food is so fresh and so good! You can never go wrong with ordering spaghetti and meat sauce out or just a simple pizza. One thing that Brad brought to my attention-which I could not agree more with-is that they eat such small portions and drink small amounts but everything they consume is really good. Italy cooks it to taste good, America cooks it to have the most amount of food for a cheap price! so very true. So, with that being said, I find it appropriate to dedicate a blog post to the foods that I have tried when out to eat in Italy (yes, I take pictures every time..unless I forget).

This may take a while. So pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy...careful not to drool too much

Colazione (breakfast):

Breakfast is simple and usually consists of a croissant and coffee or juice. My favorite juice is the blood red orange juice (pictured), but Brad's orange juice was also delicious.

Pranzo (lunch):

Lunch is the most important meal of the day for the Italians. A lot of shops close down between 1 and 3 for a lunch break and the kids get out of school for it. Usually, lunches will consist of a course meal (generally 4 courses).

I still stick to the typical American lunch and this is usually what my lunch consists of...

Ham and Cheese crepe

Cena (dinner):

Dinner is usually light..but still gourmet. It also may consist of course meals for some (if I choose the course meal, I do it at dinner)

Starting with Vino: one thing I am absolutely going to miss after I leave Rome is getting a half liter of "vino della casa" (house wine) with your dinner for 4 euros. The price of

water...because wine is that important at meals. Getting any kind of bottle of wine with your dinner at home would cost you well over 20 dollars.

Brad and I's "Venice Martini":

wine and pistachios..great combination!

Antipasti (appetizer):

Fried seafood mix consisting of shrimp, calamari, octopus, mussels, clams, etc.

Fried zucchini flowers stuffed with prosciutto and mozzarella

Prosciutto Bruschetta

Tomato and rocket salad bruschetta

This was actually at a Chinese restaurant in Florence but it's my new favorite soup. Hot and sour soup!

Primi Piatti (first plate):

I haven't quite figured out what you order for each course because it's different at each restaurant. Most of them have the first plate consisting of a pasta type dish.

Spaghetti alla bolognese (meat sauce)

Spaghetti with clams and mussels is popular and SO GOOD!

Gnocchi with mussels and clams

Risotto with Spinach

Pizza:

I'm not sure what course pizza falls under so it gets it's own category. Their pizzas ordered at a restaurant are very thin but the size of a large plate. They are basic with a small amount of sauce and cheese and few toppings. They are typically a single serving, however when I split it in half with someone it still fills me up.

Mozzarella and rocket salad

Diavola pizza (spicy salami)

Secondi piatti (second plate):

Often, I don't reach this because I get too full. But I've noticed it consists of a meat plate.

Saltimbocca: a popular Roman dish consisting of veal, prosciutto and Mozzarella rolled up.

Sushi: I will never pass up an opportunity to indulge in my favorite food :)

Dolce (dessert):

After you finish a meal, they always ask if you would like coffee. Italians drink coffee at the end of their meal (never with a meal) which helps you digest your food. For dessert they typically have gelato, tiramisu, or a sweet liqeur such as limoncello.