Cafe Tazza D'oro- Rome, Italy

There is a reason people say; "when in Rome do as the Romans do"... especially when it comes to food. Rome is the epicenter for fine cuisine. So, instead of searching for the nearest Starbucks,head to Cafe Tazza D'oro just steps from the Pantheon, when in need of a refreshment.

After a long and hot day walking around the streets of Rome step inside the traditional Roman coffee shop and order a Granita di Caffe. Granita is a traditional italian ice which is a semi-frozen dessert made with ice and various flavorings. While granita preparations vary across the country, Cafe Tazza D'oro layers ice shavings and coffee between a double dose of cream. The coarse cool texture is refreshing on a hot and sticky day. The coffee keeps you going so you can continue on your next adventure and the cream makes it an extra sweet treat. 

You can sip it through a straw or scoop it with a spoon! And do as the Romans do, stand at the counter and chat with friends. We can assure you this tops any Frappuccino you have ever had, it authentic and delicious.

Via degli Orfani 84 

Giolitti- Rome, Italy

Heading to Rome? Steps away from the world's most ancient building (the Pantheon) lies the world's most delicious gelato from Giolitti! Four years ago on a trip to Italy our taste buds got to experience the wonders the gelatarians(if that is such a title) at Giolitti created and our mouths are still talking about it. While eating dinner in Tuscany, we overheard people raving about Giolitti.

When you walk into the gelatoria, a classic and elegant old ice cream parlor - the black-vested servers are old-time, professional scoopers who take their scooping seriously! There are what seem to be hundreds of flavors (all written in Italian, so bring your translator), each tasting exactly like what the flavor is. When eating the pear flavored gelato it tastes as though you are biting into juicy and perfectly ripe pear, although its more of a soft feeling than a hard-crunch. And the grapefruit gelato, tastes as though you are eating a tangy grapefruit. The hazelnut flavor,you could be eating a handful of hazelnuts and not even know it,despite the fact your lips are licking the taste off a cone. The Gelatarians have the recipes so down to science, it is virtually indescribable how perfect and savory the gelato is. 

We were so pleased when we discovered Giolitti in the afternoon..

...we went back after dinner that same night...

Sara's shirt enjoyed the Gelato too!

...and for lunch the next day!

The best part is each cone is topped with a large dollop of house-made, fluffy whipped cream!

Look at the pretty colors!

We don't think they will run out of cones for a while!

Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40  Rome, Italy