Beef tacos at Pinches Tacos in LA.

Rome may be a world food capital, but for a voracious eater raised in the American northeast, its culinary offerings can feel stunningly homogenous. Sure, the native cuisine is great and there is some Indian, Ethiopian, and Korean food in Rome worth talking about (more…)

In my humble opinion, there are few things more vile than a McDonalds hamburger, regardless of what ingredients it includes. In January, nearly 400 McDonalds “restaurants” in Italy launched the McItaly menu, which employs the “Made in Italy” (more…)

Tagliolini alle vongole at Piperno.

Last night I got back from a much needed holiday by the sea (read: fish binge). Nevertheless, it wasn’t shocking when I woke up this morning with spaghetti alla vongole on the brain. Being Sunday in Rome, when many restaurants (more…)

Carciofo alla romana, artichoke braised with oil and herbs, is a winter and spring dish.

Visitors to Rome have long understood that among the city’s highlights, ranking right up there with the Pantheon or the Colosseum, are its typical dishes. Some are seasonal (carciofi alla giudia, pizza con prosciutto e fichi), others are not (more…)

Taqueria’s Choriqueso, house made Mexican chorizo rolled inside browned cheese.

I use Tripadvisor occasionally for researching accommodations, but when it comes to food, I cannot think of a worse source of information. I am constantly perturbed by their Rome restaurant rankings, which (more…)

Nabucco performed at the Baths in 2007.

This month and next, the hulking ruins of the third century Baths of Caracalla in Rome will host ballet and opera performances. (more…)

In spite of its name and location, Tuna is no typical Via Veneto tourist trap. On the contrary, the fish-only restaurant pulls mostly locals who come for the raw bar, white wines, and stellar Mediterranean fish dishes (more…)

Claudio Torcè’s black sesame and lemon-almond gelato.
Rome is freaking hot right now. In fact, I cannot recall a heatwave this bad since 2003. Then again, I tend to repress temperature-related discomfort, so I may be totally wrong. Anyway, when it’s this hot, one must (more…)

Piping hot microwaved chicken tacos at Griglieria La Vaca.

When I think of Mexican food in Rome, one phrase comes to mind: basura caliente — “hot garbage”. One doesn’t have to be bilingual, however, to appreciate how much of Mexico’s culinary greatness is lost in (more…)

Photo courtesy All’Ombra del Colosseo.

Well, sort of. All’Ombra del Colosseo (In the Shade of the Colosseum) has launched at the Caelian Hill overlooking the Colosseum valley and through September 4 the venue will be hosting a pool, aperitivo, and a restaurant. (more…)