I just saw a another mention of my favorite restaurant in Rome. It's not worth finding, the cobblestone alley way is tough walking and last time I was there someone was shaking sheets out the window accross the street--not atmospheric at all! Just because papa will share a glass of wine with you if you arrive before official opening, its not worth it--he said it was made in the hills outside of Rome, no label! And the stories that Andre, the son and waiter will leave a glass of vin santo and grappa on your table if you become a regular are gross exaggerations! After all, since he tore up his knee working out he's gained 20 lbs. and doesn't look like he came off the pages of GQ any more. I have only revealed the name to Maurine Fant and she has kept it quiet--good going Maurine, if too many people go there I'll need a reservation!
Hey, I live in Tally too, so you can tell me the name and location of the restaurant. Need to know, cause I'm leaving for Roma in four weeks. Proof I live in Tally: New Leaf just opened its newly expanded store yesterday. I know because I ate lunch yesterday at Cabo's. And I'm a friend of Jan (JGK) whom you probably know from this board.
I'll keep it a secret too, hate to see great places overrun. Email me at minerva_wins@yahoo.com. (I'm sure you'll eventually reveal it on SlowTrav also. Why would you post a such a teaser and then not follow through?!)
Grazie! Betsy
Posts: 97 | Location: Florida | Registered: 13 August 2006
Originally posted by jhdflyer /tallahassee: I just saw a another mention of my favorite restaurant in Rome. It's not worth finding, the cobblestone alley way is tough walking and last time I was there someone was shaking sheets out the window accross the street--not atmospheric at all! Just because papa will share a glass of wine with you if you arrive before official opening, its not worth it--he said it was made in the hills outside of Rome, no label! And the stories that Andre, the son and waiter will leave a glass of vin santo and grappa on your table if you become a regular are gross exaggerations! After all, since he tore up his knee working out he's gained 20 lbs. and doesn't look like he came off the pages of GQ any more. I have only revealed the name to Maurine Fant and she has kept it quiet--good going Maurine, if too many people go there I'll need a reservation!
Was this supposed to be helpful in some way to those of us who are interested in travel to Italy?
Louise
Posts: 246 | Location: Menasha, WI - USA | Registered: 15 February 2003
Done. It's in your neighborhood so you may know it. Was already on my list of possibilities. I am refraining from most food now to start making room for the Roman feasts . . (one friend said better to eat a lot now, stretch the stomach).
Who is Jim anyway? He apparently lives in my small town, but don't know him. Rome addicts everywhere, apparently.
Are you glad the snow has stopped? Here, we have already had a lovely spring and will soon blast into summer, seemingly endless and too hot.
Betsy
Posts: 97 | Location: Florida | Registered: 13 August 2006
Oh dear, an outbreak of humour. Surely this is a serious board
I sometimes feel like the Golem in Tolkein when somebody asks me for a recommendation I want to go "No - Mineses - keep away nasty tourists" (Yes obviously I am a nasty tourist as well).
TimW
Posts: 786 | Location: Hampshire, UK | Registered: 28 March 2005
Betsy--I pm'd you with the information. I'm sure that Dmae is a very nice person but I'm BEGGING you, keep it in Tallahassee. Just think: Tallahassee GTGs at a secret location in Rome, how cool is that?
If I tell you about my restaurant in Firenze where nobody goes except Italian businessmen in la bella figura, that is 5 mins walk from Il Duomo, with very Tuscan food, will you tell me yours?
I promise not to tell anyone else if you do too.
Charnee Smit: Italian in a previous life.
Posts: 244 | Location: San Leandro, CA | Registered: 21 September 2007
I'm sure that Dmae is a very nice person but I'm BEGGING you, keep it in Tallahassee. Just think: Tallahassee GTGs at a secret location in Rome, how cool is that?
I certainly hope you don't expect to receive any answers to any of your future questions if you don't share your "secret" in Rome.
We need an agent...."Your Mission, if you choose to accept it... is to seek and find the secret dining establishment" "This post will self-destruct in one minute...."
Betsy--In the interests of security, I suggest cocktails on the roof of the Forum Hotel at sunset. It faces west and some of the shrubbery may obstruct the view of Rome so seating is important but, all in all, a nice place. Then, and this is crucial, when you leave the hotel and before you exit the lobby, blindfold the Queen of the Great Frozen North so she won't know which way you turn when you exit--its only a short walk from there. Its ok to tell Jan, she is the soul of discretion.
Charnee--after all the trouble with ZTLs in Firenza, I'm afraid to even WALK there; this fall I'll be eating my way through Ferrara and Bologna.
Well, there's a wonderful restaurant in Bologna where my husband and I had a 2-hour lunch as the only patrons in the restaurant, and three people working. There was tons of yummy food, the whole antipasto, primi, secondi, contorno, insalata, formaggio, dolce thing. Platters-full to choose from at every course. And complimentary limoncello.
Of course, I'd tell you about that one, too. Except I can't because I don't remember the name
Charnee Smit: Italian in a previous life.
Posts: 244 | Location: San Leandro, CA | Registered: 21 September 2007
establishment" 
Its ok to tell Jan, she is the soul of discretion.