End of the world (as we know it) ?

Yes folks, every now and then, I take a break from restaurant reviews, and try and focus on other things. Its been going on for a while, and it seems that every where I turn I am bombarded with misery, and bad news. All this makes me think, is the end of the world coming? Were the Mayans right in predicting the end of the world in December 2012??
A while back, I didn't think it was at all possible, today I think it could. It is very sad, but sometimes when everything in the world seems to be colored black, how can you possibly see the bright?? Wars, disasters, fundamentalism, crime, greed, genocide, I can go on and on.
 Here in Italy, the situation is dire. There seems to be no such thing as a non corrupt politician, so even here we are doomed. The economy is dead, taxes are so high, and everything that can be taxed is being taxed. I'm curious to see in what other ways this technocratic government will have us handing our salaries over.
So, I leave you with this lovely picture that I have painted. It doesn't mean I am not going out, and trying to enjoy myself, and discovering new places, but it does mean that my motivation to post is at an all time low. Sorry.

Duke's (Parioli)

I love going to Duke's in the Summer since I love their outside garden area. Duke's is obviously, from the name, not an Italian restaurant. It started off originally with California cuisine, and more recently transformed into an International restaurant. I find the menu to have remained pretty much as it was before, with the addition of an international dish here and there. They have an extensive cocktail list, and the ones I've tried are really good. It's a good place for an aperitivo or as an after dinner hangout, as the bar is quite popular. I tend to go to Duke's for the food. The menu changes depending on the season, but their classic dishes can be found year round. Appetizers include sushi, ceviche made with watermelon, sweet potatoes, and swordfish, nice salads, while main courses include Indian spiced chicken, bacon wrapped tenderloin steak, pineapple marinated swordfish. They have two or three pasta dishes, and even though they are good, I prefer to have pasta elsewhere. Dessert is something I can't resist, and my favorite is the chocolate freakout, which is a Valrhona chocolate mousse cake served with chopped hazelnuts and chocolate sauce. Duke's has an extensive wine list, which includes, Californian, Australian, Chilean, and of course Italian wines. Great place to consider when one wants a break from Italian cuisine.  www.dukes.it

Ondanomala Restaurant (Fregene)

If you are not familiar with it, Ondanomola is a stabilimento (beach)-bar-aperitivo spot-restaurant-tavola calda. Four years ago they started a restaurant in the evening, which was not very well known but slowly picked up since their value for money was better than the Fregene average. I went several times the summer it opened but, after learning that the nice man who was running it was not running it anymore, I wasn't in a hurry to go back. For some reason we ended up there a few weeks ago for dinner, and while there were some disappointments, overall, we ended up satisfied.

We ordered a bunch of their appetizers which included cooked and raw seafood to share for the table and then continued with a dish they called fish soup. In reality this wonderful dish was more than a fish soup, it was more a seafood extravaganza in a seafood broth. I can explain it away but I think the photo will speak louder.

This dish was for four adults and included shrimp, scampi (langoustine), mussels, clams, crayfish (astice), and two whole fish.

 So, on the food front, very good. We had a lovely Lugana wine from Lombardia area to accompany the meal. We were all stuffed by the time we were done with the "soup", but happily stuffed. We were expecting a killer end to the evening, considering the amount of seafood we were presented with, but were blown away when we paid 35 euros a head. Note: Usually in Fregene a 50 euro a head dinner for an average meal (drinks included) is standard.

Now the bad. We arrived with two hungry kids (ages 2 and 5) and we ordered for them immediately in order to get their food as soon as possible. The service was strange, the waiters seemed to be confused and we had to ask several times for the kids pasta. Our starters started coming out, even though we made it clear that we wanted the kids to be served first. After all, it was about 10pm, and way past their dinner time. My baby saw the raw stuff come out, and tried to reach for something to eat and was very angry when I took it away from him. I was doing it for his own good, but obviously he didn't understand, and so this led to a mini melt down. This in turn set me off, and I had a go at the waiter, stressing that I asked not to be served before the kids get their pasta. Long story short, the kids got their pasta at 10.30 pm !! For some this would automatically cancel out the place. I think I would probably not go there again with a hungry baby, but may give the place a second chance considering the good food and value for money.

If you are in Fregene, give the place a try, and leave me a comment about your experience.

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.