Real Italian gelato and Italian style steak in central Italy

I came up to Rome and Florence. I had really good Naples style espresso and pizza while I was in south. Now I came up to central Italy, Rome and Florence. What amazes me about this country is that it is so easy to find descent food for just several bucks. Even a small grocery super market offer numerous kinds of cured meat and cheese. I want to write about what I enjoyed in Rome and the Florence area while my memory is fresh.

Gelateria Giolliti, Rome
I had only casual food in Rome because I actually ate too much in south.  What I really liked in Rome is gelato. I had gelato at some popular gelaterias, but I liked Giolliti the best. Giolitti is a very old gelateria in central Rome. They have been there since...sorry, I forgot, but anyway for so long. The shop was packed with people and  I had to wait in a long line, but it went very fast. I had small size for 2.5 Euros, which is approximately 3.8 dollars.I ordered small size, but it was actually very big. I had pistachio, chocolate, and lemon flavors with whipped cream. It was so creamy, yet not so heavy. I enjoyed the taste of the natural flavors of ingredients very much. The whipped cream was very rich and melt in my mouth, and the richness of the whipped cream went very well with the creamy texture of the ice cream. It was delicious. There are many famous gelaterias in Rome. I strongly recommend you to stop by Giolliti at least once if you visit Rome.

La Taverna di Cecco, Siena
I found really a lovely restaurant while I was strolling around Siena. The restaurant was full of people, who looked like young professional and local Madames. So, I dropped in. I had a steak with fresh fungi and arugula. The most famous food in this area is steak. It was actually one of the best steak ever. It was different from American steak nor Japanese steak. It did not have much fat, but it was so tender and juicy. It had a hint of smokey flavor, and it went perfectly well with the rich flavors of fungi and butter. I thought this is the Italian style steak. I tasted it very much with a glass of red wine. I paid 25 Euros, which is like 36 dollars for lunch. I thought the price is very reasonable because the steak was memorably good, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was nice. I really had a great time and food there.

Much more delicious food in Italy

Hi, I am writing from Italy now. This country is a fantastic place to enjoy food. It is just amazing. Can you believe that descent Parma prosciutto costs only one or two bucks? It is very easy to find good food for reasonable price. I will write about my experience in Naples today.

As you know, Naples is famous for its fantastic pizza. Two or three local people recommended me to go to Da Michele. Da Michele is definitely one of the best places to know what Naples style pizza is. When I arrived at Da Michele, it was so crowded. I mean, of course the restaurant was crowded, but outside of the restaurant was also packed with the customers as well! You need to take a number at the door and it usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to take a table. The way they offer their pizza is very simple. They have only Pizza Margaruta and double cheese Margaruta in medium and large size. They have pops and a beer also. I have had many great pizzas, but their pizza was very special. The dough was one of its kind. The outside of the pizza was crusty and smokey, but the inside was soft. I would say the softness was something between fluffy, sticky, and chewy. I ordered a medium size pizza and a bottle of beer. I paid only 6 euros or so. The portion was huge. I thought I had no way to finish it, but I ate it up because it was so good!!!

To enjoy great pizza in Naples, you have to be a bit careful there. Even Italians in the area say that they hesitate to go to Naples because it is dangerous to be there. Here are the tips I got from locals to enjoy visiting Naples.

Rule 1, No jewelery on you.
Rule 2, Do not bring your purse. Put your money in your pocket.
Rule 3, Do not bring anything important with you.

I took their advice sincerely and followed them. I was absolutely OK. The traffic was crazy like hell though...I also had famous sphorgliatella, baba, canolli, and espresso while I was in Naples. Everything was excellent, but espresso was especially impressive. It was so rich and had a very special aroma. It costs only a dollar if you have it at a counter, not a table. Italians stop by coffee bars to enjoy espresso several times a day. It is just so nice to enjoy great coffee many times a day. 

I am so glad that I had a chance to visit southern part of Italy. Food was great, people were nice, and the landscape was breathtaking there. My story about much more delicious food in Italy will be moving onto great food in Central Italy the next time. Ciao!