Eataly (Rome)

I've heard about Eataly for a while, but had no idea exactly what is was. I knew it comes from Torino, and that there was a branch in NYC. So since I was in the neighborhood and had heard that it just opened, my husband and I decided to make a stop to check out what the buzz was about. It was fairly early (10.30) when we went in, but around lunch time when we came out! What can I say....Eataly can be best described as a luxury food emporium. It is exactly what Rome needed, a place where you can not only buy, but eat, good, organic food. There are themed restaurants, fish, pizza, meat, pasta, sandwiches, piadine, desserts, ice cream, you name it. There is a wonderful wine section, where you can find so many different wines from all over Italy. There is a library dedicated to food and every food and wine book you can imagine. The cheese, oh the cheese, lovely cheese from all over, not only Italy. On this trip we managed to get some wine, cheese, prosciutto, bread, pasta, bottled organic tomato sauce, and yogurt, all very good. No, it is not cheap, but organic and high quality food usually isn't. They have wine courses, cooking courses, and dinners with famous chefs, which can be bought online at www.roma.eataly.it. Not to be missed, especially for a quick bite or an after work aperitivo! 

Hummingbird Bakery (London)

I know that the cupcake craze is getting a little old in most parts of the world, but unfortunately it is really hard to find a decent cupcake in Rome. So, yes I did indulge by getting myself a cupcake sampler from Hummingbird bakery when I was in London. My sampler included some flavors that I have not tried before like tiramisu, carrot cake, and panettone. I have to say that although they were interesting, I do prefer the traditional red velvet cupcake, and vanilla sponge chocolate frosting combo the best. Hummingbird bakery can be found on Portabello Road (original store), South Kensington, Soho, and Spitalfields.

Breakfast at the Wolsley (London)

above:  smoked salmon eggs benedict and  blueberry french toast

Breakfast at the Wolsley is something I like to do when I am in London. For one thing, we don't have breakfast places like this in Rome, and secondly, I love me a good breakfast!

On a recent trip to London, I decided to reserve a table online at the Wolsley. They were all booked up so I emailed instead, and was surprised when they got back to me with an availability. I had tea and salmon eggs benedict, which comes as a small or large. I greedily ordered the large but with the tons of smoked salmon that was on it, I could have easily had the small and enjoyed something else as a side. A friend had the french toast that looked and smelled amazing. Definitely a good dining option when in London.

Primo Sale

We decided to try out Primo Sale (Trionfale area) last Friday night since we had passed by a few times and it seemed like a quiet place where we could take a sleeping toddler. The restaurant is not the type of place that invites you in from the outside, but once inside, I think it is quite cozy. The food was simple yet good. We had two pastas, the amatriciana and the cacio e pepe, and two secondi: steak and seared tuna. I also had some veggies on the side that were really nice. Everything was perfectly cooked.
We skipped dessert, but had a nice red wine with dinner that we enjoyed. Don't remember what we paid, but it was good, or as they say in Rome, honest.
Nice, friendly neighborhood restaurant, one to keep in mind for a quiet evening.