Eating Italy Food Tours Part II
If you haven’t read the first part of my experience with Eating Italy Food Tours, take a look here.
After a thorough tour of the Testaccio Market, we were off for a sit-down meal in one of Testaccio’s best restaurants: Flavio al Velavevodetto. The restaurant is located at the base of a (wo)man-made hill that is the result of Romans throwing away their used terracotta pots. If you look closely at the photos below, you’ll see the actual shards of what my tour guide called “Ancient Roman Tupperware.”
Sidenote: The restaurant’s name had a great story behind it–apparently the owner, Flavio, had always dreamed of owning his own restaurant. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by a bunch of naysayers who didn’t believe he’d ever find the money to open his restaurant, so the name he dedicated to them: it basically means “I told ya so”. Love the feistiness, Flavio!
Our table in the restaurant was right next to these three glass windows, offering a peek at the hillside made of pottery.
My attention soon turned from ancient pots to pasta as the waiters dropped off heaping plates of Cacio e Pepe (a simple dish of pasta, Pecorino cheese and freshly ground black pepper), Amatriciana (pasta smothered in a sauce made with a tomato base featuring cured pork cheek and Percorino) and lastly, Carbonara (eggs, cheese, and pancetta.)
We happily sampled all three Roman specialties over glasses of red and white Italian wine until we were pleasantly stuffed. Pulling on our jackets while noting our pants fit a bit more snugly, the group headed out the door into the crisp winter air. It was time for…you guessed it! Yet a couple more stops.
Roman Fast Food
This fried ball of risotto, along with pizza al taglio, is the Roman take on fast food. Called Supplì, it’s risotto that’s battered in egg and breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. It may not be pretty to look at, but it was delicious.
La Dulce Vita
Our final stop included a lesson on the difference between gelato and ice-cream (gelato is made with whole milk instead of cream, so it’s actually “healthier” for you!) and of course, a generous tasting. I loved how many places in Rome offer fresh, hand-whipped cream to top off your gelato–I couldn’t resist!
Many thanks to Kenny and his team at Eating Italy Food Tours for offering me a complimentary tour of Testaccio; all opinions (and weight gained as a result!) are my own. The tour is 65 Euros for adults and 45 Euros for children, lasts around 4 hours and includes stops at over 7 places with 12 tastings. If you book with them, tell them I sent you!
I love the new site design! Is there any better food than Italian? YUM!!!
Andi recently posted…Cayman Islands: Day 4 (Part 1)
That’s a tough call! I’m equally enamored with Spanish, Greek, Thai and Japanese food! It was an amazing tour though!
This post has made me so hungry, Christine! Btw. I love the new look of your blog
Katherina recently posted…The Best Spam Comments on 100 Miles Highway
Thanks so much! Writing about the tour made me hungry–seriously!
Everything looks so yummy! I love the bright colors in all the dishes, I can tell how fresh the ingredients are just by glancing at your pictures. I’d be interested to try the fried risotto ball..sounds a little heavy for me, but I do love risotto! Did you try the lightly fried zucchini flowers? I’d never had them before Rome and fell in love!
Julia recently posted…simple pleasures in the eternal city
If you just have one, they aren’t too heavy. And no–I didn’t try the zucchini flowers, I didn’t even know about them! Next time
Really should not have read this before having lunch
Looks delicious and can’t get the supli out of my head – are they different from arancini or just smaller?
Caitlyn recently posted…View from the Office Days 1-10
Hi Christine, what gorgeous pictures! You’re making me want to return to Italy asap! I especially love the fiesty restaurant name!!
Anyway, I’m new here (came here via Liz’s Young Adventuress blog) but I’m definitely going to be sticking around – looks like you have an awesome blog here!
Sarah P | Travelling Is My Passion recently posted…Food Pilgrimage: The Chocolate Theatre Cafe in Windsor, England
glad to now know the difference between ice-cream and gelato
i have just come back from italy and unsurprisingly, food was the highlight.
El recently posted…From Rome with love: Couchsurfing in Italy
I loved the ice-cream vs. gelato lesson! I knew there was a difference, I just couldn’t pin-point it.
Based on your article, my wife and I are booked in May for both Testaccio and Trastevere. It looks yummy AND entertaining. Thanks.
That’s so great to hear! I know you’ll love it! You’ll have to report back on the Trastevere tour