A Taste of Rome
The Tradition
The Tradition of Italian Dinners
Before I arrived in Italy, I read that a traditional Italian dinner can last up to five hours. As I’m homebased in the States, this idea seemed absurd. Why would I pay for slow service, sitting on a narrow ally, and running out of conversation topics before the appetizer was served.
This is the beauty of culture, the importance placed on something as simple as a meal differs from place to place around the world. In fact, I wish that long drawn-out nights were a tradition more common back at home, instead of turning tables and speed eating culture.
My first night in Rome I remember my mom asking me whether we should spend the night sightseeing – no; I wanted to sit back, relax, and take in the Italian ambiance of a Roman night. This turned into a nightly routine throughout our time in the city, reminiscing on our days over a nice plate of pasta!
“Soon the entire block was looking at a live performance of Michael Jackson hits, courtesy of this street performer on the bike.”
ROme, Italy
Street Vendors and Entertainment
One question I asked myself, never having been to Europe before, was if I needed to make reservations. No! Most European cities, Rome included, are bustling with night culture and restaurants longing to get you seated at one of their tables. It’s almost flattering to have people clamoring to get you seated and serve you the best carbonara in town. The excitement for the night doesn’t end once you choose a place to dine and unwind though, for the street vendors/performers have yet to arrive!
While the word street vendor/performer tends to make me think of a shop owner yelling, with touristy trinkets in hand, I was amazed by the variety of products and performances I saw in my time there. My favorite sight was a man walking around with a small bicycle (fitted for a child) with duct-taped Christmas lights tangled along the tire. At first, I laughed it off, as it could have been another fashion statement (wait… there’s music playing…). While I can appreciate a good jam it was still odd (hold on… now he’s dancing…). Soon the entire block was looking at a live performance of Michael Jackson hits, courtesy of this street performer on the bike. Every single person tipped.
Michael Jackson man made a solid pile of cash off his performance but the next vendor to approach me wasn’t so lucky. I had seen ponchos, phone chargers, and umbrellas, but a robotic dancing cactus was a first for this trip! As hard as I tried, a giggling fit took over as I was forced to watch a live infomercial. It was too ridiculous to contain myself! What a rookie mistake that was as the seller took my reaction as interest in buying the plush moving cactus. Soon the prickly plant was sitting on my table and I was being ushered to buy it. I remember quickly pointing at another family in hopes for him to sell another child this cactus. Suddenly the hour waits for food seemed like no time at all!
Pro Posing Tip: Cheers it
Shoot a picture through a drinking glass or include your friend’s glass/hand for a cute social shot!
The Main Dish
The ambiance of each night came alive well before food had arrived. After an hour of anticipation however, the main event had come. Course by course I got a taste of Italy, my favorite cuisine from all around the world! Our final night in this culinary capitol started off with a basket of bread and a cheers to more delicacies.
Bruschetta, a well-known appetizer from the Rome region, was always my pick for a treat prior to the entree. The toasted bread, topped with dollops of tomato and a drizzle of olive oil was a taste that took me back to the Tuscan wineries from earlier in my Italian adventure.
Pasta. From the variety of noodle shapes and sizes to the choice of the sauce, it felt overwhelming to decide on an entree each night. My personal favorites were Bolognese and carbonara! Bolognese, a meat-based sauce, is a comforting warmth similar to a pasta dish I could find back home. Carbonara caters to a more adventurous eater with its egg-based sauce and bacon/pork topping!
I had saved room for the best course of every meal, dessert! I ate my first bite of Tiramisu in Rome, Italy. A soaked ladyfinger with a coffee taste, I pictured the treat as a slice of cake. In each restaurant I found a new interpretation from the cake slice to a pudding cup, or a gelato flavor! Leaving the area, home to this decadent treat, I had fallen in love with Tiramisu.
Traveler Tips: A River Away
For the best nightlife in Rome head across the Tiber River to the Trastevere neighborhood. There are tons of restaurants bustling with people and many streets without cars, making dining on the street more comfortable for visitors.
Final Thoughts
I typically spent 3 hours having a dinner with my mom each night. A tradition not to be overseen but admired. I was amazed by how casually the words flowed and the connection we made in that short amount of time. A meal is more than the food in front of me, it’s an art form that brings out a social side of each of us. Enjoying a slow meal taught me to appreciate the day of adventure I had before moving onto the next day’s experiences. Talking over a glass of sparkling water and basket of bread, I could see the trip through my mom’s eyes and words. More than the time I spent with my mom; l learned to look beyond our table.
The first night, watching Michael Jackson man, I connected with a Danish couple. Two cultures. 4,789 miles apart. 1 vacation spot. As simple as one connected laugh, turned into an interaction I’ll never forget. Sharing our favorite spots from home, being encouraged to immerse ourselves in their culture… maybe Denmark will be the next stop on my list, for even if I never see their kind faces again, I’ll find their joy and compassion in the culture they shared with us that night.
To experience Italy, is to be open. Try that new dish. Bond with your table neighbor. Live like an Italian.
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