Now that I've completed my long list of more-restaurants-than-we-could-possibly-eat-in-over-a-month for our upcoming one week trip, its time to start thinking about shopping Given the dollar the way it is, I don't expect to do too much shopping, but I still hope to pick up a few things. Mainly we are interested in kitchenware, household-type things--especially those stylish and sometimes impractical Italian moderne like Alessi (but NOT Alessi--just using that as an example.) The kind of things that look good but never work (like the Alessi lighter we bought in their factory shop in Orta...hasn't worked since the day we got it...they nicely exchanged it here in the States, the second one doesn't work either! But it looks cool on the shelf!)

Actually I wouldn't mind buying some beautiful, useful, practical kitchen stuff too

I found one earlier thread from 2002 that essentially said there were no such shops in Rome! That I can't believe! Someone must know one...

The May issue of Bon Appetit that is being discussed has a list of a couple stores that might be interesting.

Tad
C.U.C.I.N.A
D Cube
Culti

There is a really nice linen store in Trastevere with dish towels, hand towels, tablecloths, place mats, etc. It has pretty good prices and such stuff is really easy to bring home. I will look for the name and address.

Callie

I have been to Cucina a few times, but it is not better than what you will find in NYC. I did get a cute teabag squeezer there and they have potholders that are little sleeves that fit over the pot handle.

This isn't in the league of Alessi or other designer homegoods (altho I have an Alessi teakettle with the red bird whistle that I love) but I've come home with really nice wooden spoons, dish towels, a pot scrubber made of natural straw bristles and a saute pan with a removeable wooden handle from vendors at markets in Italy. All items I love and use daily. That's my kind of shopping in Italy.

I'll also add that Rome has a Rinascente department store but I was disappointed to find that it doesn't have a housewares department like the great one in the basement of the Rinascente in Milan.

Thanks Marta for those links...I am going to pick up a copy of that Bon Apetit tomorrow, if I can find it. Those look like the kind of places...more or less...I'm thinking of. In Florence there was a great ViceVersa shop which we kept going back to, but there doesn't seem to be one in Rome.

Janet, we came across this place--Porcellana 55 on Via dei Coronari--the little street of antiques on the way to Piazza Navona-from the Tiber side. They do not have a large selection but they specialise in unique, unusual,often impractical kitchen gadgets and houseware. The owners are delightful and fun--they were absolutely charming with our grandson. If you go there, tell them Casey sent them--that will bring a smile. If you want to see their dooorway and their picture, go here and scroll down the page. They are on the right side--with Casey. http://www.janeandken.com/italy2004/Roma2004page2.html

There's a great store in the Ghetto, but I have no clue what the name is. It was near Portico d'Ottavia. Does anyone remember the name?

Limentani

Thanks Jane, that shop looks good, I will look for it and I'll say hi from Casey And your post reminds me that I need to go re-read your Rome trip report before I go!

Thanks everyone for all the other suggestions too...I'm making (another) list!

One of the best places that we found for appliances, TVs, Cell Phones and other electronic doodads was DiSalvo on Via Della Lungara, 33.

Janet--gee, re-read? I am honored when people read it once. Glad it is useful to you. Now, I look forward to your report.Have a great time!

Jane, I've gone back and read several of your reports...the Peru one several times as well! Especially since we completely changed our Peru itinerary and are now going to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (and not the Amazon, this time.) Long story...for another part of the message board...lol.

I would add Bagagli, via Campo Marzio 42, and that old stand by Spazio Sette, via dei Barbieri, 7.

Steph

Jim, thanks for mentioning Limentani in the ghetto ..its an experience , not just a place to shop for high-end porcelain, pots & pans. Be sure you check out their showroom in the former Oratory of the Fishmongers...just under Portico d'Ottavia...talk about layer-cake of history!
Locally Limentani is known as Le Catacombe and is preferred for Liste di Nozze . Havnt been there in years...do they still have the wooden mixing spoons with numbers on them ...most shops have numbers that you pull from a machine.

Limmentani has a web site in english here.

Thanks for the link to their site - I remember this place fondly from my first trip to Rome. It was a short walk from my apartment and I stopped in often.

Limentani sounds great--it's now on my must go to list for next time which we hope is next January for 6 months. Janet, I just sent you a private message about Peru. If you don't have private message rights, just e-mail me at jlparke@aol.com. Would love to talk with you about that trip.