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Pizzeria Florida ~ Good Pizza al Taglio in Rome

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Pizza al taglio, which means pizza by the slice, or more accurately, pizza by the cut, is a popular type of food in Rome.  It’s like the Italian style of fast food, if you will.  There are usually a variety of toppings and flavors to choose from.  The American in me loves being able to have a variety of flavors to choose from.  Although delicious, sometimes you just want more than the classic margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil).  I also like this style of pizza because it has more of a bite when it comes to the crust.  Regular Roman-style pizza (not to be confused with pizza from Naples), has more of a really thin, cracker crust.  Pizza al taglio has a softness to the bread when you first bite in, then a crispy crust underneath.

To order, you let the person behind the counter know which pizza you would like, and if you would like a large or small portion (you pay by weight).  I usually like to get two small portions so I can try different flavors.  As you can see from the photo above, they actually cut the pizza with scissors.  Hence the name, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the cut.  Once cut, the pizza is warmed in the oven for a few minutes.  You can then take your pizza to go (porta via in Italian), or eat there.  At Pizzeria Florida there is a small stand up counter inside, along with a few benches outside on the sidewalk where you can eat.  

On my latest visit, I opted for two different flavors – tuna and a twist on the classic margherita.  Thick pieces of buffalo mozzarella with hints a fresh basil and bursts of juicy, roasted plum tomatoes on a crispy crust always hits the spot.  The tuna is completely different for pizza, but really delicious with moist tuna, juicy olives, chunks of tomato and peppery arugula.

Pizzeria Florida is located in the city center along the tram #8 route, right across from the ruins of Largo Argentina.  They are open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM, and closed Sundays.  Not only is the pizza good here, but their prices are pretty reasonable too.  You can expect to spend around €5 per person for pizza and a drink.  

Pizzeria Florida
Via Florida, 25
06 6880 3236
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Biking ~ Down by the River in Rome

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I’ve been biking pretty regularly lately, and I’ve been loving it!  I work from home, so the morning bike rides help to break my day up and provide some extra exercise.  I live in Trastevere, so the Tiber River is near for me.  I usually always ride down next to the river.  There’s no street traffic, only other bikers, walkers and runners.  It’s so lovely and peaceful being near to the water.  Sometimes I almost forget there is a bustling city going on just above me.   
 

In addition to the exercise, the rides have been great for me to gather my thoughts.  I’m in the process of working on several upcoming projects, and it’s nice to be able to think creatively in an open environment and not always at a desk in front of a computer. 

I like to ride by Castle Sant’ Angelo and the Bridge of Angels.  I never cease to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I am able to be in this environment.  I am always in awe as I approach and ride by the ancient castle that Emperor Hadrian had commissioned 2,000 years ago.  The same feelings evoke as I admire Bernini’s angel sculptures along the bridge.  The things that have happened here and the phenomenal history that surrounds this area just about blows my mind some days.  

You can’t really tell it from the photo below, but the water under this bridge always seems to sparkle like diamonds with the way the morning sunlight hits.  Always a treat!

I also get to do quite a bit of bird watching along my rides.  It’s great being able to enjoy and appreciate the little things.  

It’s been a while now, but we came across this guy playing the saxophone one day during a ride.  It was so beautiful, and felt like he was there to play just for us.  It’s a memory I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon.  

I’ve also been riding in the opposite direction along the river, toward Testaccio.  This part of the river is not so manicured and is a bit more rustic, but it’s still so lovely.  The trees along the bank provide extra shade, and a different feel along the ride.  

Nature and ancient structures … the best of both worlds, and an incredible start to the day!

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Rainbow MagicLand ~ Rome’s Amusement Park

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Did you know Rome has an amusement park?  Most people don’t.  The majority of visitors come to Rome to visit the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican Museums, and an amusement park really isn’t on their list of things to do.  If you have kids, this is a great place for you to think about visiting though.  

Rainbow MagicLand is the name of the amusement park, and it’s actually located on the outskirts of Rome in a town called Valmontone.  To get there you can drive, take a train from Termini or go by bus.  You can see Rainbow MagicLand’s website for the different ways to arrive.  

As soon as you enter the park, everything is done on a grand scale.  The park makes you feel like you’re stepping into an ancient era.  

You’ll also feel the magic with the layout of the park … it’s really stunning.

The park has plenty of rides for those seeking adventure.  Rainbow MagicLand offers several different roller coaster rides.  

They also have an area for the younger children to play and ride rides.  It’s really colorful and fun.  

The park also has a carousel, which I couldn’t resist and had to ride.

If you need a break from enjoying the rides and exploring the park, you can catch a show at the theater.  The show was filled with singing, dancing and beautiful costumes, along with a few tricks.  It was entertaining for both adults and children.

The park is primarily open during the summer months.  You still have September to make a visit to Rainbow MagicLand, then it will mostly be open on the weekends during the winter/school months.  You can visit Rainbow MagicLand’s website for opening times. 

What do you think about Rome’s amusement park?  Would you like to visit, or have you visited?  If you visited, what was your favorite thing at Rainbow Magicland?

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Fish Market ~ A Seafood Restaurant in Rome

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Fish Market is one of my favorite places to go in Rome for a seafood dinner, or for a quick bite in the evening.  The food is always delicious, and they offer one of the best happy hour deals in town! 
 

Fish Market has two locations in Rome, but I always visit the one in Trastevere, near to the river.  You have two options – dine in or dine out.  If you’re in the mood for dinner, then you can dine inside the restaurant or outside on their patio.

If you’re looking for a lighter option and just want a small bite, they have one of the best happy hour deals in town.  For €5 you can get an appetizer and a glass of wine.  They have this offer from the time they open for dinner (around 7:00 PM – P.S., they’re not punctual) until 8:30 PM.  You can sit inside and order this special, or you can grab it to go from their take-away window.  

I always order a cartocci, which is a paper funnel stuffed with either fried calamari or shrimp.  My favorite is calamari.  The one draw back with the take-away option is that there is really no place right there to have a seat.  When we’ve gotten it to go, we’ve taken it across the street and enjoyed our appetizers and wine while looking out over the river.  Always lovely to do!

If you choose to dine inside, you will be given a paper menu and pencil.  You’ll need to mark the items you would like to order, then take the paper menu to the cashier to pay and turn in your order.  

You also have the option of choosing your fish from the ‘catch of the day’ case. You let the chef know which fish you would like and how you would like it cooked (grilled or fried), and they will pull it out right then and prepare it fresh for you.  If you order the appetizer special inside, you will be able to have your accompanying wine in a glass and not in a disposable cup.  Hey, some days these things are important, and a girl just needs a proper glass of wine!  

You don’t have to make reservations, but try to get there closer to opening time to avoid a wait because they tend to pack out around 8:30 PM, especially on weekends.  Enjoy!

Let me know if you’ve ever been to Fish Market, and what your favorite thing there is.

 
Fish Market in Trastevere
Vicolo della Luca, 3/5
Telephone: 366 914 4157
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FishMarketTrastevere
 
UPDATE:  If you have a larger group, Fish Market isn’t the best place to go.  I met up with a larger group here for appetizers and drinks.  The day before we were told a group of our size would be fine.  On the day of the meetup, prior to opening, we were told a group of our size would be fine.  Once everyone arrived, it ended up not being so fine.  Still love this place, but I do not recommend going with a party larger than six.  

Come il Latte ~ A Gelateria in Rome

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I’ve been hearing about a new(ish) gelateria in Rome for a while and decided I had to give it a try.  I normally stick with a few favorites in my area – Fatamorgana, Frigidarium and VIce.  These are consistently good, use high quality ingredients and are convenient to where I live.  I always enjoy trying something new though, and hearing that Come il Latte had a chocolate fountain pushed me over the edge to want to try it.  If chocolate is involved, then I want to be too! 
 
 
The other week I made a special trip to sample the gelato with chocolate sauce.  It’s a short walk from Termini area, and closer to Piazza della Repubblica.  The gelateria is a bit hidden.  In fact, I don’t know how so many people have stumbled across it.  
 
It has a really cute design inside.  The decor is black, white, grey and silver.  The walls are lined with retro style jars of milk, and the walls are made to look like a chalkboard.  The star of the show (for me) was the running faucet fountains of dark and white chocolate. 
 
 
The flavors are listed on the board behind the counter.  The gelato is stored in silver containers with lids, so you won’t be able to visually choose your flavors of choice.  I opted for a medium cup with three flavors – pistachio (my go-to flavor), salted caramel and strawberry cheesecake.  
 
The pistachio was good, but had large, whole bits of pistachio.  I’m sure most people would consider this great, but it was a bit much for me.  While I appreciate the fresh pistachios, I usually like them crushed or ground a bit more so I don’t risk breaking a tooth.  The salted caramel was my favorite of the three – unique and tasty.  The strawberry cheesecake was a little disappointing – it just had a hint of strawberry flavor and not much of a cheesecake flavor at all.  Perhaps it was an off day or that particular batch.  
 
The most upsetting of the whole trip was the amount of chocolate sauce they put on the gelato, or lack there of.  While the chocolate had a great flavor, I was expecting there to be a lot more of it.  The wafer that garnishes the gelato was only half dipped in the chocolate before topping off my cup.  My favorite gelateria, Frigidarium actually dips the whole cup of gelato in chocolate, and that is what I was expecting from Come il Latte. 
Here is what the gelato dipped in chocolate sauce at Frigidarium looks like.  You can understand my disappointment.
 
  
Come il Latte was so-so for me.  If I’m in the neighborhood I wouldn’t mind stopping in to sample a few other flavors, but I won’t be making any more special trips.   
 
What about you?  Do you have a favorite gelateria in Rome?  
 
Come il Latte
Via Silvio Spaventa, 24 26
Telephone: 0642903882