Little Black Book --- Italy

On day 14, we ended our trip right where we started it, with one last night in Rome. Having to catch a ridiculously early flight the next day, we chose to stay at a hotel closer to the airport and realized that there are entire neighbourhoods that we had yet to discover in Rome. I was wishing our return flight was a month away, a year away even, just so that we could explore more of that wonderful city. I could eeeeaaaasily spend a year in Rome.

We have been home for just over two weeks now and putting up with the worst Summer weather I have ever seen in Vancouver, or anywhere else for that matter. It's cold, rainy, grey and, according to predictions, the sun won't show for at least another week and the hot weather may not come at all. It's miserable here.

The day I got home, I put socks on, turned up the heat, took my raincoat out and sulked. I tend to do that when I get back from a trip. Yup, just like a childish, spoiled brat, I sulk and want to leave again. Hopefully, this little blogging adventure will keep me grounded and I will look back and appreciate what I did, what I saw and learned and stop pouting. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm working on it.

Rick Steve says that "if Paris is an urban garden, Rome is a magnificent tangled forest." (I can't believe that I am quoting Rick Steve, the nerdiest tour guide in the world.) I have never been to Paris (I know, I know. Shame on me) so I cannot compare the two cities but I sure loved the tangled forest. Here are a few restaurants and cafes we tried and enjoyed in Rome, Tuscany and Cinque Terre.

LITTLE BLACK BOOK

ROME

Volpetti (Deli)

Via Marmorata, 47, Testaccio Neighbourhood

http://Volpetti.com

Roscioli (Restaurant & Deli)

Via dei Giubbonari, 21, Campo di Fiori Neighbourhood

http://www.salumeriaroscioli.com

(They also own a bakery by the same name, just across the street. It's very good as well.)

Osteria Ditta Trinchetti (Restaurant & Cafe)

Via della Lungaretta, 16, Trastevere Neighbourhood

Osteria La Quercia (Restaurant)

Piazza della Quercia, 23, Campo di Fiori Neighbourhood

http://www.laquerciaosteria.com/

Biscottificio Innocenti (Cookie Bakery)

Via della Luce, 21, Trastevere Neighbourhood

San Crispino (Gelato)

Via della Panetteria, 42, Trevi Fountain Neighbourhood

Other locations as well

http://www.ilgelatodisancrispino.it

Giolitti (Gelato)

Via Uffici del Vicario, 40, Pantheon Neighbourhood

http://www.giolitti.it/english/home.html

Dar Poeta (Pizzeria)

Vicolo del Bologna, 45/46, near Piazza della Scala, Trastevere Neighbourhood

http://www.darpoeta.com/

Trattoria da Lucia (Restaurant)

Vicolo del Mattonato, 2, Trastevere Neighbourhood

Sant' Eustachio Caffe (Espresso Bar)

Piazza Sant' Eustachio, 82, Pantheon Neighbourhood

http://www.santeustachioilcaffe.it

Osteria La Gensola (Restaurant)

Piazza della Gensola, 15, Trastevere Neighbourhood

http://www.osterialagensola.it/

Bar del Fico (Cafe & Bar)

Piazza del Fico, 26, Campo di Fiori Neighbourhood

Cul de Sac (Wine Bar & Restaurant)

Piazza di Pasquino, 73, Piazza Navona Neighbourhood

http://www.enotecaculdesac.com/

TUSCANY

Il Potazzine, Montalcino

http://www.lepotazzine.it/

Altesino (Winery), Montalcino

(Reservations only)

http://www.altesino.it

CINQUE TERRE

Ristorante Ciak (Restaurant)

Via Minzoni Don, 6, Monterosso

http://www.ristoranteciak.it

Taverna del Capitano (Restaurant)

Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, 7, Vernazza