No big deal if Rome is full of cheap souvenir shops, gypsies at every corner, buses filled to the brink and a metro that is fast and furious with invisible pick pocketers, it still remains the most beautiful city in the world. After thirty years spent in Rome and now at a distance of approximately 16,000 miles, I realize that it’s the daily routine I miss most. The delicious aroma of pizza bianca and countless types of bread, the lively markets with a melting pot of cultures, the gentle ding-dong of ancient church bells, the way people engage with one another… This and so much more, makes me nostalgic of the life of a local.
When in Rome I quickly revert to the philosophy of ‘dolce far niente’, the art of contemplation. And that is to live in the now, and savour the simple things of life. Romans are especially good at this. After a light breakfast at home, they usually stop at a Caffé and order a cappuccino, or cappuccio as it’s referred to in Rome, or a caffe’ nero for an extra splash of energy. Patrons are usually elbow- to-elbow, slowly advancing near the counter where baristas deliver caffeine doses at the speed of light. Here it’s common for people to exchange their views on the moodiness of the weather, the triumphs and losses of their soccer team and everything in between.
Then around 11am it’s time for another pausa caffe’, a brief moment that sets the tempo for the rest of the day. Lunch isn’t a solo activity and you’ll see droves of blue-collar employees during their lunch break: ‘Ti va di prendere qualcosa insieme?’ is an informal way of inviting one out to lunch. When office hours come to an end, Romans often gather for an aperitivo at their favorite local bar, it’s one of those cherished rites that allows people to unwind and chat about anything and everything. They gather around small tables in Rome’s magnificent piazzas or romantic streets, sharing delicious nibbles accompanied by a negroni or some exotic cocktail on the rocks.
For most it will be the foretaste to a scrumptious home cooked meal. Once at home, family members are summoned with a loud ‘a tavola’, ‘come to the table!’. The best seasonal and fresh ingredients, usually sourced at the local markets, have been transformed in mouth-watering dishes. Around the dinner table, food and laughter go hand in hand as the family share their daily whereabouts. There’s always room for unexpected guests, so pull up a chair and join us in 2017 for an authentic full immersion in the Eternal city. Soon we will be publishing the new Roman retreat, with lots of exciting activities and social events.
But first try a Negroni…
Negroni is a world renown Italian drink invented in 1919 in Florence at the Caffe’ Casoni, which at the time was a favourite meeting place amongst the Florentine aristocrats. The bartender, Fosco Scarselli, would always prepare Count Camillo Negroni a drink known as an Americano, a simple blend of Campari, vermouth and soda. One day the Count asked for a twist in his usual drink and so it was reinforced with a good dose of Gin. And that’s how the Negroni was invented! This aperitivo is perfect as a pre-dinner drink, with its beautiful aromatic taste but also powered with alcohol! You can’t go wrong if you sip it slowly, with a few delicious nibbles on the side.
How to make the best negroni in less than 5 minutes!
1/3 (3 dl) Gin
1/3 (3 dl) of red vermouth
1/3 (3 dl) of Campari bitters
1 orange
ice
Method:
Fill a tumbler with ice cubes, then pour the Gin, the red vermouth and for last the Campari bitters. Mix accurately and serve in a glass with a slice of orange on the side. Enjoy!
