Eating Bombolone

Following the series of very busy days that we have spent learning about all the art and various treasures in Rome, we decided to give ourselves – and most particularly our feet – a bit of a rest.

We have found a pastecerria/restaurante that is across the street from our apartment that serves the best bombolone that I have tasted in Italy (and I have given a number of them a try). Bombolone are Italian doughnuts. These particular bombolone are always fresh and warm and absolutely covered with sugar. In fact, they sit on a tray filled with sugar. So, since I have discovered them, I have become addicted to them. Every morning we go over and order due (2) bombolone and due caffe. We lick our sticky fingers (well, at least I do; Bill goes and washes his hands after) and drink our caffe and love life. So that’s how we started our day.

We then took the underground to the Termini station where we caught a bus that took us to Campo di Fiore, where the best market in Rome is held every morning except Sunday. It really is a good market. I bought some dried fruits, a couple of artichokes, and some souvenirs for my family. Because we were so tired, we came home after, and spent the remainder of the afternoon napping, reading, and reading emails.

Our plan was to cook dinner here at home, but about the time we were going to begin cooking, we got a text message from our landlord asking if he could come clean the apartment tonight instead of tomorrow as he had originally planned. Being flexible, we told him sure, no problem.

We decided since the restaurant across the street makes such good bombolone, perhaps the rest of their food is good as well. Well, we were certainly right on that point. We started out with crostini and pomodori (tomatoes), then we each had our own pasta dish. I had spaghetti aglio e olio and Bill had fettucine ragu. Both were exceptionally prepared. In fact, it might have been the best pasta I have had yet, though I keep saying that. We split a second course of chicken romana. They tossed in a sambuca and a lemincello, and we were happy campers.

We will hit the hay early tonight, and go to early Mass at St. Susanna’s, which is the American Catholic Church in Rome.