By Alexandra Redisch, eating pizza in Rome
Hi everyone! Alex (the oldest daughter) here. In my humble opinion, one of the things lacking on this blog is food. Everyone loves food! Everyone likes to look at pictures of food. And everyone likes to read about food. Am I right or am I right?
This post is the first in A Taste of Italy, a series of Italian restaurant reviews, done over the course of my stay in Rome and Umbria for the TBU conference in April 2012.
First up is a small restaurant called Napoletano’s Italian style pizza and steakhouse New York City at Piazza della Rotonda. Apart from the unsuitable name – it’s neither reminicent of a steakhouse nor of NYC – this little place is quintessentially Italian. And you get a great view of the Pantheon (pictured above) while you eat.
The lunch menu, which is served until 7 pm (it seems you can’t have dinner before 8 pm in Italy), starts with a bruschetta topped with fresh pomodoro and ruccola. A choice of pasta or pizza as a main, and a drink (soft drinks, water or wine) sets you back 12 euros. Not too bad!
Margherita – the simple pizza
I chose the pizza margherita with a glass of red wine, as I always do when I have Italian pizza. A native Roman friend of mine told me that the best way to judge a restaurant in Italy is to have the margherita, as it’s so simple. Apparently, if you have lots of toppings on your pizza you can’t really taste it, whereas with a simple margherita you will know at once if this is good or bad pizza. This was definitely a good pizza.
The service was great, the price was unbeatable and the food heavenly. Add an amazing location and season with a couple of street musicians playing cheesy love songs – what’s not to like about this place?
Do you like Italian food? Silly question… of course you do!
I always go for the margherita, as well. It can be fantastic.
ItalianNotes recently posted..Fave e piselli
It is either fantastic or horrid, most of the time
It’s a win or lose kind of pizza!
I had pizza just last night, delicious, I was really craving it! The margherita in your pic looks delicious
Angela recently posted..Travel beyond tourism, visiting Palestinian refugee camp Bourj El Shamali in Lebanon
It was absolutely scrumptious! Nothing like a margherita and a glass of wine
Right on all counts. I do love to look at pictures of food, and I LOVE Italian food! Pizza’s are the best for a zippy meal.. of course using the freshest local ingredients help – just can’t get enough;)
ciki recently posted..Going to Visit the Great Barrier Reef, with ProBlogger!
You’re so right Ciki! The ingredients’ freshness is vital, and I think that’s something that’s very important to Italians. Their food is religious to them
Always margherita. One of the best pizzas I’ve had was in Rome from a takeaway. Buy a big rectangular slice, they fold it in half like a calzone, give you a paper napkin and you eat it walking down the street. A nice glass of chianti would be good, though!
Alex Jones recently posted..Natural World Safaris & the Kianjavato Lemur Project
Definitely Alex – I may have had a couple of those during my stay in Rome… *pats tummy*
Oooohhhh … that pizza looks delish!
JoAnna recently posted..I Love Las Vegas: St. Mark’s Square at The Venetian
Pizzas in Italy: so simple – and so delicious.
You’re right, Alex, there’s never enough talk about food! I thought I wasn’t hungry for dinner, but that pizza has changed my mind!
Abby recently posted..Good New Mexican Food Was Worth Risking My Life, Quince Jerome
Haha, it’s dangerous!
In Courmoyeur last summer I had a heavenly pizza with gorgozola, pear and walnuts.
Leigh recently posted..#FriFotos – My Favourite Pool in the World
That sounds absolutely heavenly! I love all three ingredients! I sometimes make chicken with gorgonzola, which is delish as well
I heard the pizza in Italy tastes very different (and better) than the ones in USA !! Man, I wish I can try one to compare…
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..My Romantic Spanish Happy Hour
Yes, I’d say they do. Something about the origin of the ingredients, probably. Tomatoes aren’t just tomatoes…
That pizza looks delicious! I love how Italy is all about fresh, simple ingredients
Andrea recently posted..How Long Does It Take To Get Settled In Norway? Part One
I know! Fresh, simple and just a few ingredients, so each one gets the attention it deserves.
This meal looks so tasty! I wish I could grab it out of the screen
Alison recently posted..The Medieval Bishop’s Palace in Lincoln, England
I was thinking just that, Alison
It will be very helpful series for all travellers.
Victor Tribunsky recently posted..Venice. Travel to Dying Beauty’s Bedside
Thanks Victor, that’s very kind:)
Yum, that pizza looks appetizing! Thanks for introducing some food to this blog, Alexandra.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Soulful Sundays: Derrick Harriott
Thanks! Food is goooooood…
I love Italian food, especially Pizza. However, there’s a lot of nice dishes that you can discover once you travel across Italy.
Definitely, Debbie! I had some rather interesting local treats when I visited Lake Trasimeno.
And now I am hungry for pizza!!
dtravelsround recently posted..The (in)exchange of energies
Me too!
Alexandra Redisch recently posted..Burano – a photo storyBurano i bilder
They both look simple but I’m sure they taste absolutely delicious. Lovely photos!
Alexa Meisler recently posted..52 Tips for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism
Thanks Alexa! The simpler, the better!
After reading this article, I suddenly wanted to get myself a Margherita! I also love Margherita, it doesn’t fill you up with so much guilt of eating pizza when you’re on a cheat day on your diet because of the lack of all the meaty stuff.
Elena Anne recently posted..Headaches and Exercise: Causes and Treatments
Very true! I try not to eat meat so the margherita is perfect for me
Alexandra Redisch recently posted..Burano – a photo storyBurano i bilder
I just love pizzas and pastas, and I know the best ones come from Italy. Margherita pizza is always my best bet. For sure there is no going back once you’ve tried a real Italian pizza, no other pizza will do a better job of stimulating your taste buds.
Indeed. Pizza hut just doesn’t cut it anymore :=
Alexandra Redisch recently posted..Burano – a photo storyBurano i bilder
Margherita is my favorite style of pizza. Just a few simple, fresh ingredients. If you can’t do that pizza right, you might as well not sell pizza
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Foto of the Week from … Buenos Aires: A Dark Past
So true!
We had Pizza last night and it was really fun. I agree with you, I myself love to see pictures of different foods. Italy is the best place when you want delicious pastas and pizzas.
We were in Rome recently and just had to go for a pizza option. As we live in Turkey and struggle to get hold of pork, we immediately chose a parma ham topping. Sooo good. Not as cheap as the one you found though.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Fethiye Bay After The Storm – A Photo
I love the margherita pizzas in Rome. Sometimes simpler is just better.
Don Faust recently posted..Photo Friday: Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress
Because of the simplicity of the margherita pizza, each ingredient has to stand out. I love the fresh cheese, basil and tomatoes sauce. Everything fresh – yum!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..DESTINATIONS: Conquering 27 Waterfalls in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic