homemade pasta: just one of the highlights of Italy

part of a tasty meal
Originally uploaded by Wanderings

Early on in our trip, Stacy and I discovered that we had very different ideas about eating meals in restaurants. I wanted the full meal: appetizer, salad, pasta. Stacy was content with just getting pasta.

To compromise, we agreed that we would do an all-out meal in Rome.

It was amazing! This picture doesn't even come close to the wonder of the meal. We asked for the special, which is a fixed-price, multi-course meal. When asked if we preferred meat or fish, we said both. And so, without further ado, may I present:

The Meal

Appetizer #1:
steamed shrimp with fennel, thin slices of smoked tuna and swordfish
Appetizer #2:
a selection of meats including prosciutto, 2 kindso f salami, and braciola, topped with arugula and parmesan
Pasta course #1:
spaghetti with mussels in a light butter sauce
Pasta course #2:
spaghetti with a tomato and pancetta sauce, topped with parmesan
Secondi (meat):
Thinly-sliced veal with chopped orange and parsley
Secondi (fish):
Sauteed sea bass with mussels and carmelized tomatoes in a butter sauce
Dessert:
Chocolate gelato garnished with pastry chips and whipped cream, profiterroles with berries and cream (We really should only have had the gelato, but the waiters spoiled us with all the extras. 'Are you ready for your dessert?' they asked. 'Yes!' we grinned. 'Are you sure?' they responded, with the plate hidden behind their backs. 'Yes.' And the dish was presented and we oohed and aahed and beamed at them. There are perks to being single girls.)
After-dinner drinks:
Limoncello (the traditional Italian digestivo) - a liqueur that tastes like a lemon drop. If they like you, they'll often bring it to your table after the meal and may even take a drink with you.

Are you drooling, yet?

We spent four hours at that restaurant savoring every dish, dipping our crusty bread into the sauces, sipping red wine (on my part). One of the things that was wonderful about the experience was that we were eating dishes that we may not have chosen on our own. If you ever go to Italy, you must do this at least once. It's too much to do every night, but find a well-recommended restaurant, set aside an evening, set aside your preconceived ideas about what you might or might not like, order some wine (if you drink it), laugh with the waiters, and enjoy the best of Italian cooking.