Some of the “real” Italians that live in Trastevere boast that they have never been across the Tiber River into the touristy section of Rome they undoubtedly despise. Instead, they make their living making really good food. Our tour guide, an American who has made Italy his home for several years, recommended the area to those looking for an authentic Italian meal. So a group of us set out across the river into the town that was once a Jewish ghetto, not realizing how un-welcome we were going to be. The host in the first restaurant told us (in a very loud voice) that they had no tables, even though it was practically empty. Next restaurant, same story. I suggested that our group of seven may have scared them off, so we decided to split up. In the third restaurant, a quaint little place called Bruno alla Lungaretta, two other girls and I walked in out of the blistering cold and attempted to ask for a table. For a minute, a waiter looked like he was going to give us service, but the blonde in our group gave us away.
“Outside!” he shouted.
“What?” I said
“Sit outside!”
So our first authentic Italian meal was eaten on the restaurant patio in 40-degree weather. Americans must have a bad reputation…
Our luck picked up after lunch. Looking for dessert in Italy is like looking for cabs in New York– they are everywhere! Needless to say, we didn’t have to walk very far to find a gelateria– a wonderful place that makes gelato in almost every flavor imaginable. I was daring and picked pistachio-flavored. And of course being in Europe, it is impossible to gain weight because 1) you have to walk everywhere and 2) you have to squat over all the lidless- toilets! No wonder Italian women have such killer legs…
“What?” I said
“Sit outside!”
So our first authentic Italian meal was eaten on the restaurant patio in 40-degree weather. Americans must have a bad reputation…
Our luck picked up after lunch. Looking for dessert in Italy is like looking for cabs in New York– they are everywhere! Needless to say, we didn’t have to walk very far to find a gelateria– a wonderful place that makes gelato in almost every flavor imaginable. I was daring and picked pistachio-flavored. And of course being in Europe, it is impossible to gain weight because 1) you have to walk everywhere and 2) you have to squat over all the lidless- toilets! No wonder Italian women have such killer legs…
