Rome Guide: A New Series

The best gelato in Rome, which I written about elsewhere.

For the past fortnight I have not been able to blog as much as I would have liked.

One of the things I love about my job is that it gives me more free time than I imagine most people get. Another is that it takes me here and there and I get to enjoy good food in different countries regularly.

Of course, it is not all sunshine and roses; nothing is. I work irregular hours, am always tired and cranky (just ask the long-suffering Mr. Other P) and sometimes, I will have a sudden roster change and have to disappear somewhere at the drop of a hat. That is precisely what happened at the start of February. I had to go to Rome - had to - which meant no time at home and no blogging.

I mentioned this in passing to Mathea, and she said why didn't I just write something about Rome, almost like a food guide, since I was going to have to eat while I was there anyway, and might as well make an effort to make it something delicious. So that's what I have decided to do.

I feel it is only fair at any rate; I write about food on this blog, and, hopefully, others enjoy it. Rome is my favourite food destination in Europe, hands down, and I do think I know where to find the good eating. I'm not saying I only ever eat like a king when I am there, but I have places I go to. It would be mean-spirited, would it not, to keep that information to myself? This blog is called Delicious Delicious Delicious, not Selfish Selfish Selfish.

I am not without apprehension, however, and I think there are three main reasons why this is so:

1. I may blog, but am not actually a gastronome, and attempting to write a food guide to somewhere, anywhere, makes me feel nervous and worried. What would people think of it?
2. I am not Italian, and do not live in Rome. I am English and live in Wales. (Can you see my dilemma?)
3. Food can be so subjective. I can't tell you how many times I have been disappointed after I ate somewhere or bought some expensive ingredient that gained rave reviews.

And then I thought, 'Oh, grow up, Mr. P. This is just a bit of fun.'

More to the point, for every argument there is a counter-argument. Thus:

1. I may not be a gastronome, but the whole point of blogging is to share information with others; someone might take my advice and have a great food experience in Rome as a result of this.
   
2. I would LOVE to live in Rome, but that's just not going to happen. However, I have spent considerable time there, albeit as a tourist, and brief stays for work, but still - I am now at the point where I don't even need to carry a map, which is big for me.
3. The only places I would write about would be restaurants, shops or cafes that I have already taken other people to, and that they have enjoyed. Which is actually something I have done before.

So there you go. It looks like I'm doing it!

It occurred to me last time I was in Rome that I do actually have a bit of a routine now anyway, which of course, is mostly centred around filling my stomach. So my guide is going to take the form of one of my strolls around the city, starting with a morning coffee.

Come join me - the first instalment is coming up soon!