
My brother is a chef and his one goal on our Italian vacation was to eat as much good food and drink as much good wine as possible. I signed up for that immediately.



We started our vacation in Rome- 5 days. And these photos just can't do it justice. There are cute shop-fronts, quaint restaurants and bars (for coffee not beer), pizzerias and gelaterias are everywhere.
We ate our weight in pizza and most was excellent. Generally, if we were in a nicer restaurant the pizza was well worth it. And the toppings were wonderful- anchovies, ham, fresh basil and the quattro formaggi- which was an artery clogger- was sooooooooo delicious!

Did I mention that we had beautifully DRY weather for 98% of our glorious Italian vacation? And dining outside (with a heater of course) provided some great opportunities for people watching.
And did I mention that Italians apparently don't get sick of eating Italian food every day.
There isn't the culinary variety that we take for granted over here. We did see a couple of Chinese restaurants and an Irish Pub but mostly you have small neighborhood restaurants serving fresh pasta, beautiful salads and pizza. (I am spoiled by my beloved Portland: Mexican, Thai, Sushi, Middle Eastern food--and Italian-- all in my neighborhood!)

Food presentation is big here. This is the little shop beside our condo with its meats and cheeses displayed so beautifully. The pastries always looked gorgeous, the gelato was piled high and the holiday candy and bakery displays were amazing.
Next up: the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Forum in Rome. Brace yourself.