Monday 1st July
Today we have a cooking class booked but first we need coffee. Cafffe Camerino (yes, it is spelt with 3 f's!) is close to the tram stop on Via Arenula so we fuel up there with cappuccino & bombolini as a change from the usual cornetti.
Tram number 8 takes us over the river in to Trastevere. Before finding the cooking class venue we have time to pop in to see our friend Roberto at Antica Caciara. When we were stranded in Rome in 2010 we visited Roberto every day, usually to pick up Panini but occasionally for ricotta, which comes in dailyfrom the countryside. Roberto greets us like old friends. Today we are here for burrata and sun dried tomatoes (I'm trying to recreate Roscioli's famous dish!).
It is time to rendevous at the cookery school which is not to far away. When new arrive the table is set for twelve with home made jams to sample. We are a mixture of nationalities - American, English and Australian. Every one gets on well and we proceed to conjure up a four course lunch from the ingredients set out on the kitchen table.
The time flies by. We learn so much from Chef Andrea (and he is not hard on the eye either - sorry Erica!)
This is what we create
We have wine pairings with lunch and at the end Andrea explains all about the different wines we have tried.
After such a huge lunch it is time for a walk & where better than in Villa Pamphilj We catch the 44 bus from the river side in Trastevere , then walk up to the park. It is hard to believe you are not far from the city in this green & pleasant space.
Part of the Trajan - Paul aqueduct is visible on the edge of the park.
The beautiful villa isn't open to visitors (I read that it was used by the Prime Minister to entertain guests - what a perk!)
Leaving the park we head to Via Piccolomini and an optical illusion. Seen from this end of the road, the dome of St Peter's appears to be huge.
The closer you get, the smaller it seems!
Aperitivo time tonight is spent in 4 Civico, a bar in Monti that we haven't visited before. We are drawn by the fact that you can sit at the open window & be entertained by Monti life passing by. The interior décor is interesting too.
Dinner tonight is a simple affair, enjoyed on the terrace under the Roman night sky.
