when in roma..EAT as the romans do

Dino e Tony: where the vino flows at a steady rate, the food comes in 7 courses, and you instantly feel like family. All for the bargain price of 27 Euros.

On Saturday night we made plans to go to a little restaurant called Dino e Tony near the Vatican. When we arrived at 7:30, they told that that we would be unable to sit until 10. Not willing to miss out on this experience, we headed down the street to a local bar as we awaited our reservation. When 10 rolled around, we sprinted to the restaurant like little kids on Christmas.

When we arrived, we squeezed through the crowded room of local Italian families and took over a table in the back. Immediately we knew we were in good company. Vino was brought to the table by the pitcher, which were replenished as quickly as they were emptied. One—Two—Three—

The first course was greeted with cheers from our hungry table. Fresh prosciutto and salami, followed by fried olives, fried potates, and three types of pizza (gorgonzola, margarita and broccoli).

Four—Five—Six—

The courses that followed kind of resonate as a blur, but among my favorites of the night were the pasta dishes. Four types of pasta were served: carbonara (which we have come to find as a true Italian dish), an arribiata-esque dish, penne with a sauce equivalent to vodka sauce, and a pasta with ricotta and “unknown “spices. All were very tasty.

Seven—eight

The dishes came and went, clean plate after clean plate. The next couple of courses were (ugh-oh) the fish courses. Fried anchovies and snails. Everyone at the table was aware that I don’t really eat fish, and being the spontaneous new Roman resident, that I am, thought I should try the anchovies. We made sure to document it for the non-believers.

Nine—ten—eleven

Next on the menu: the meats. We don’t really know what they were, but they were so good that we really didn’t care.

Twelve—thirteen—

The desserts. A decadent array of fresh cookies and pastries, tiramisu, yogurt with berry sauce, and my knew favorite thing on the planet: granita. Granita is a very special kind of dessert, and MUST be tried when in Rome. It is whipped cream and an icy/slushy espresso mixture. If you are a coffee drinker like I am, you fall instantly in love.

Part of this presentation, so to speak, were the after dinner drinks. Placed on our table was a giant bottle of homemade limoncello, grappa with an alcohol content seriously resembling gasoline, and another type of dessert wine. All were consumed with smiles, laughter, and great conversation.

Mangia, mangia, mangia! (eat, eat, eat!)

ciao, chrissy