Uncovering Rome's Culinary Wonders with Katie Parla 🇮🇹

Rome, the Eternal City, is often considered one of the world’s great food destinations. The city is a captivating blend of ancient magnificence and overwhelming beauty. Unveiling its layers, you'll encounter remnants of ancient times in marble ruins, navigate medieval streets, and explore early Christian churches.

Unveiling its layers is no easy feat, with so much to see but plenty of tourist traps to fall into, so getting an authentic experience of Roman cuisine usually requires a helping hand for the first-time traveller.

Roman cuisine (La Cucina Romana) is a testament to the city’s history, spanning over 2,000 years, with traditional dishes showcasing centuries-old recipes. 

To guide us through Rome with her extensive knowledge of the city, Italian culture and cuisine is Katie Parla, a New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-nominated television host, journalist, podcast co-host, culinary guide, and educator based in Rome. 

Readers who love to binge on food and travel shows may well know Katie from appearing as an expert on programs such as "Bizarre Food with Andrew Zimmern," “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy”, “F*ck That’s Delicious” with Action Bronson, and Netflix’s “Chef’s Table Pizza.”

Roman Cuisine 🍜 

Roman cuisine, deeply rooted in history and tradition, reflects the heart of Italian gastronomy. It celebrates simple yet flavourful high-quality ingredients, emphasising regional produce and time-honoured techniques. Many of Italy’s most famous/top rated dishes and ingredients are from the region, such as pasta carbonara, cacio e pepe, supplì, pizza al taglio, pecorino romano, and globe artichokes.

Interview: Rome with Katie Parla 🇮🇹

How Has Rome’s Culinary Scene Changed During Your 20+ Years in the City?

Since I moved to Rome in 2003 we have had multiple financial crises and a pandemic, which has changed the means for shopping and dining out. There is certainly a lot more small plates and wine bar dining, as well as so much fast food in the form of pizza by the slice, rice croquettes (supplì) and the like, which provide more affordable alternatives to full-on trattoria meals. 

Recommended Time of Year to Visit Rome

The winter is the best time to visit. The heat and crowds of spring through fall are oppressive and artichokes are in season in the winter!

A Seasonal Recommendation During Winter

Winter is when local Roman artichokes are available and served fried, quartered and floured then fried, or braised. My favorite version is the latter and I eat it everywhere, especially Armando al Pantheon.

What Dishes or Ingredients Does Rome Do Best?

Guanciale (cured pork jowl) and the several Roman pastas made with it: gricia, carbonara and amatriciana.

If You Could Only Recommend 5 Restaurants (Or Bars) to Visitors, Which Would They Be and Why?

1. Cesare al Casaletto: pure Roman comfort food in a residential neighborhood, plus an extraordinary wine list. 

2. Armando al Pantheon: Armando's grandchildren now run the family trattoria, dutifully serving Roman classics with a side of a half century of tradition.

3. Santo Palato: Chef Sarah Cicolini's neo-trattoria serves an offal-positive menu and perfectly al dente pasta.

4. Latteria: This wine bar in Trastevere pours incredible and affordable natural wines from all over Italy and serves a small selection of satisfying dishes like pistachio lasagna.  

5. Tavernaccia Da Bruno: They serve my favorite braised oxtail in town and also happen to have the nicest service anywhere!

Favourite Neighbourhood in Rome

I'm obsessed with my neighborhood Monteverde Vecchio, a blend of 1920s and 1960s housing, plus the largest park in town!

What Neighbourhood Do You Recommend Visitors Stay In?

Trionfale! It has the largest and greatest market in town, as well as landmark baker Gabriele Bonci's eponymous Panificio Bonci.

Recommendation: You can learn more about the genius Gabriele Bonci and how he revolutionised Roman-style pizza in Episode 2 of Chef’s Table Pizza on Netflix, featuring Katie Parla!

Your ‘Roman Cuisine in the Centro Storico Tour’ - Talk Us Through What’s Involved and Why You Label It Perfect for First-Time Visitors

This walking tour explores the history of Roman food commerce and focuses on delis, bakeries, cafes and gelato shops in Rome's historical center. We graze through central Rome and taste pizza, coffee, gelato, and cheese while delving deep into the city's cultural history. If you're into wine or craft beer, we try that, too! This is the perfect walk for first time visitors to Rome who are looking for food havens in the historic center, as well as a wide overview of what the Roman culinary scene has to offer.

Something to Avoid

Eating on main squares like Piazza della Rotonda (home to the Pantheon), Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, and Piazza del Colosseo is a recipe for gastronomic disaster. And speaking of Campo dei Fiori, the market is one of the saddest places in town to see Roman food culture in action. Avoid and shop at Trionfale instead.

When You’re Not in the Mood for Italian Food, What’s Your Go-To?

When I am not in the mood for Italian regional cuisines, I hit up I-Gio, a Korean restaurant in Trastevere, Taco Libre in Prati, Enqutatash for Ethiopian on the Prenestina, and Tianci Chong Qing Farm Hotpot near Piazza Barberini for numbing spice.

What Resources of Yours Would You Recommend to FITR Readers Before Coming to Rome?

• I have a page on my site devoted to my favorite places to eat, drink, and shop for food.

• In addition to that, my Eater 38 Rome Guide is updated quarterly.

• I also have a paid guide with 132 venue recommendations here.

• Finally, I offer tours of Rome for the ultimate one-on-one tips.

Picasso’s $139 million sale reveals unexpected investment opportunity

Just last month, an iconic Picasso painting shattered expectations when it sold for a whopping $139 million at auction. Impressive, considering it was purchased for around $1 million in the late 1960’s. 

But there’s a surprising group of investors also celebrating this sale: 61,000 everyday users of one investment platform. 

Why? Because that platform, called Masterworks, enables anyone to invest in blue-chip paintings by artists like Picasso and Banksy for just a fraction of the cost. When Masterworks sells a painting, investors can get a return. 

This way, not only the billionaires of the world can benefit from the art market.

As a special partner, readers can skip the waitlist to join here. 

Past performance is not indicative of future returns; investing involves risk. See disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

*The above is a sponsored placement

A Recipe to Make at Home 🧑🏻‍🍳

Italian Potato, Ham, and Cheese Pie (Gattò di Patate)

One of the many delicious recipes from Katie’s latest cookbook Food of the Italian Islands.

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