the best thing i ever ate

I have eaten a lot of good food in my life.

Let me reiterate that – I have eaten a LOT of good food in my life. It makes me so happy to think about since I am only a mere twenty three years old. To think that I have seventy or eighty more years (God willing) of good eating makes me get loopy and giddy inside.

Not too many people would get excited over things such as being able to indulge in delicious food, but I do. It’s a good thing I have this whole “I don’t care what others think about me” thing going on.

Like I said, I’ve eaten a lot of good food. And I’ve eaten at a lot of restaurants. However, I have already been to the best restaurant in the world. Yes, the world. I may not be cultured, but I have traveled (a little). I hope you’re all willing to travel though.

Because you’re going to have to go to Rome, Italy, to get a taste of it yourself.

In May of 2009, I graduated college with a degree in education. Thankfully, I found a job quickly because I had other summer plans. There was no way I was sitting around to look for a job – we were off to Europe!

My parents wanted to go on “one last” family vacation before I started working full time. We planned for almost a year, and in June 2009, we set off on a world wind adventure.

Before traveling to Rome, we had already been to London and Paris. Rome was the last place on our list for this vacation. We were gone for a total of two weeks, and each city had a unique flair and beauty that I cannot even begin to describe. I love the United States, and I think it holds its own great qualities. However, there is so much history behind the cities in Europe – cities that have been around for thousands of years. To see cobblestone roads that are centuries old and historic ruins being uncovered amidst new buildings is absolutely amazing. I felt like I was dreaming the entire time I was there.
 

Don’t worry about my dad’s face in that last picture. We had just traveled on an overnight train for 18 hours from Paris to Rome and hadn’t showered in over two days. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? Pair that with the 85 degree weather and sweaty bodies, and I guess I don’t smell too good. Sorry, Dad.
 

While we were in Rome, we went to all of the famous sights. After seeing so many of Rome’s attractions throughout my lifetime, it was a surreal experience seeing all of the sights close up.
 

I am an adventurous traveler. I don’t really have a plan when I get to my destination, which drove my father insane since I was the appointed navigator on this excursion. I am more than happy to wander around only to look at my map when I decide I want to go somewhere specific. I would much rather spend my time looking at my surroundings, experiencing all the city has to offer, rather than be caught up in following directions and reading a map.
 

On our first night in Rome, we went to a fantastic authentic Italian restaurant, complete with limoncello. While this meal was incredible, another meal topped it immediately.

One thing you must understand about European streets, especially in Rome, is how tiny they are. I would be surprised if one US sized car would be able to fit through some of those streets with the narrow passways. Not to mention the side street cafes with tables and chairs out for customers to sit, relax, and enjoy their meals. There are streets that wind and curve and are tucked away behind famous Piazza’s throughout the city.
 

One afternoon after exploring, we  stumbled across the most incredible and quaint restaurant.
 
The only thing about it? I don’t remember the name. And my pictures cut off the signs. Horrible, right?

Oh, and I don’t have pictures of the food either. What a bad food blogger – and don’t knock me, I didn’t know two years ago I was going to be writing about food.
 

  
This restaurant had the most incredible flatbread pizza I have ever tasted in my entire life. The crust was thin, but doughy with a slight taste of olive oil baked into it. Italian pizza isn’t like American pizza – there is no “tomato sauce”. Instead, this pizza was topped with fresh Roma tomatoes (the brightest and best tomatoes I have ever tasted in my life), fresh basil, and a small amount of Mozzarella cheese.

Every meal ended with a plate of chocolate drizzled dessert bread, which I could eat every day for the rest of my life.

We were only in Rome for three days, and on our last day (which was a Sunday), we headed back to this restaurant. We had been sightseeing all day long and had just been blessed by the Pope (!!). While I’m not Catholic, I thought that was pretty amazing.

However, as we continued along the small road, we came to find the restaurant was closed on Sundays.

To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. We were absolutely devastated. I have been dreaming of that pizza for almost two years now.

I guess that just means that I have to travel back to Rome one of these days.

Until then…. gelato.
   
Question: What is the best thing you have ever eaten?

Tagged as: europe. italian pizza, italy, restaurants, rome, traveling