We have arrived.  The American Academy in Rome (AAR) is housed in the Mckim building, a beautiful old villa-like structure in front of a park atop the Gianicolo.  It’s surrounded by embassies, more parks, other academies and sweeping views of the city.  The food here is delicious.  The kitchen is run by two ex-Chez Panisse chefs (as much as I know so far….) and also employs cooking interns on roughly five month cycles.  It that something you might be interested in? Yes, please.

In just a few days we’ve already seen A LOT.  There are so many farmer’s markets everywhere.  Exploring Trastevere is a lot of fun.  There are so many good eats and cool little shops; however I still have not bought anything substantial on this trip.  Be proud.  Pizza Romano is different than Napolitano.  It’s thicker butt he crust is generally tastier.  I’ve sampled quite a few different kinds so far: La Renella in Trastevere – almost like focaccia, try their zucchini flower pizza, Pizza Gianni in Trastevere – great pizza senza mozzarella (if that’s your thing), obviously Il Forno Campo di Fiori – amazing pizza, this is a great piazza and has a great farmer’s market every day (I think).  If you go to Campo di Fiori make sure to check out Piazza Farnessi and the French Embassy.   Also, get the pizza at Il Forno and eat it in front of the embassy.

We’ve also been to numerous churches… I would say about 40.  Not bad for a couple of heebs and in 3 days.  We even weaseled our way into the church where the Italian bureaucrats and Berlusconi himself go to pray and confess their sins – which are probably numerous.

Meals have consisted of lots of homemade pasta, braised short ribs, pork, different kinds of salads, veggies and various deserts including some kind of lemon cake that was spectacolo.

Go take a look at the AAR if you’re ever in Rome.  It’s at 5 Via Angelo Masina.