Interlude - food glorious food!

I imagine that by now many of you are thinking - where's the food?

This subject, which is exceptionally dear to my heart and nether regions, deserves a separate post.

In case you haven't already figured out that I am one of those research-before-the-trip-types, let me tell you that I am one of those research-before-the-trip-types.  I habitually read several books, blogs and online materials and then figure out what seems to be the best things to see and do.  I also read between the lines when it comes to recommendations.  Sometimes someone's negative response is what attracts me - everyone's tastes are different.

When it comes to eating out while travelling I veer towards the local and the unique.  Small is also good.  Regional and seasonal is a given.  And I'm also very mindful of locals and their views.

Occasionally I find a place has shut down or has changed hands, but generally I nail it, if I do say so myself. 

One such place was Da Francesco in Piazza del Fico.  We arrived to find the family owned place full of locals but we engaged in playful banter with the lad at the door and it didn't take long to receive the coveted gesture to enter.  We already had a short list of items we wanted to try and our waiter was ecstatic that we chose these and not the usual touristy items.  We eat family style (it helps having friends who feel the same way) so that we can all try everything, which also went down with the waiter.

Another winner was Enoteca Antica, just off teh busy shopping Via del Corso and not far from the Spanish Steps.  At one point there was a small bit of lamb left on the serving dish and teh watier started to remove the place.  I thought Martin was going to stab him with his fork.  Round-eyed, the waiter immediately withdrew, broke into a huge smile and raised both hands in a gesture of mock surrender and deference.  A minute later a complimentary half bottle of red wine landed on our table.

I would have to say that my favourite was a tiny place, Alfredo e Ada, with Alfredo out front and Ada in the kitchen (I suppose it was Ada - some woman was in there).  There are only about 6 tables crushed together and no reservations.  The first night it was busy and, looking at everyone's full plates, we calculated that it would take too long to wait, so we came the next night slightly earlier. 

There's no menu, just a choice of 2or 3 options for each course.  This was the best spaghetti carbonara, a dish that originated in Rome.  Very creamy, with thick hunks of bacon.  My favourite main course was a rustic dish of sausages and beans, very robust and flavourful. 

Alfredo loved that the four of us switched plates in a clockwise movement every few mouthfuls and shared opinions in a cheerful blend of English and Italian as to what we liked best.  Another bottle of wine accompanied by little sweet biscuits mysteriously appeared on our table at meal's end, with yet more wine accompanied by Alfredo after that, who sat down and chatted to us, happy to have travelers who got into the spirit of his local eatery.