mamma mia!
Since I've come to Rome, I have been eagerly awaiting my mother's arrival. I couldn't wait to show her around my neighborhood and have her have a chance to see the city that has served as my home for the past several weeks. Mom arrived mid-day on Wednesday, as she was suffering from jet-lag, we decided to have lunch at Obladi Oblada. It is an adorable restaurant with only two menus that the owner passes around to the various tables. He collects car memorabilia which decorates the walls, but one wall is adorned with notes written by people passing through. It has an abundance of character and charm. Mom went to take a nap and we crossed the river to see the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps then we headed to Booktique (I'm going to dedicate a whole blogpost to this) and wandered around across the river for a bit. For dinner, we went to San Marco in Prati, it was my first time eating here, but I always walk by it and admire its decor so I made a reservation for us. It was delicious I ordered the quattro formaggi gnocchi and it was so rich, it would melt on my tongue. Mom had some pasta with sausage that was also delish (I stole a bite).
The next morning we woke up and had breakfast on the roof of our hotel which overlooks the Vatican. Something that it is hard to not take for granted, but I am trying to keep in mind is how old and how much history this city possesses. Waking up and being able to look at the Vatican is a humbling experience to say the least. After classes, Mom and I met for lunch at Bonci then headed off to the Vatican for our tour. We did a three hour tour of the Vatican and I was proud of Mom for sticking it out the entire time. I'm actually heading back to the Vatican tomorrow to climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Also check out this amazing article about the new Director of the Vatican Museums, she is the first woman to hold the role. We were quite tired after so we headed back to the hotel for a nap before dinner. For dinner, we went to Hostaria da Cesare. I didn't love my meal, but Mom enjoyed hers. It is definitely an old-school Italian restaurant.
The next day Mom had a cooking class all day, which she really enjoyed and modestly said was the best meal she had in Italy. We started the night off with apertivo with my cousin Mallary and her fiancé Clint, who were in Rome for a couple of days visiting. We went to Il Soprasso, which I have been to before, but has amazing cheese and prosciutto boards. It is a great place to go for nibbles. My mother and I headed to Il Pratolino for pizzas. It is across the street from my apartment and I loved my broccolini and sausage pizza, but Mom's was a bit weird. We wanted to get to bed early because we had an early train to Florence.
Mom's first aperol spritz
We arrived in Florence before our entrance time at the Uffizi Gallery (you have to make reservations before going with a set time to enter) so we wandered into a cafe to kill some time. When it was our time to enter the museum, Mom let me know that I could go at my own pace through the galleries as long as we left at a reasonable time. My mother and I lost each other and she spent 45 minutes waiting for me (I am sorry!) then we finished the museum together. I loved the way it was set up and all of the sculpture. One of the (obvious) highlights was seeing Botticelli's Venus. Once we had finished at the museum, we headed to Cellerini, which is a beautiful shop where people are able to design their own leather goods. After spending a long time debating, we headed to the leather markets to investigate. I got a new leather tote and some gloves that actually fit for once! We then went to lunch at Trattoria 13 gobbi, which a friend of mine had recommended. We had a leisurely lunch and I ordered the rigatoni, which is what they are known for, and chocolate cake. It was sooooooo delicious. I didn't want to stop eating even though I was definitely full.
My rigatoni. Swoon.
I cannot be stopped.
Mom's spaghetti
We headed off to the Ferragamo museum, which focused on Ferragamo's move back to Florence after working in Hollywood for several years. They also tried to connect art to his move. It was interesting to see, but quite small, and I wished they had focused on his creative process and shoes a bit more. From there we went to the Gucci museum. While it was cool to see, it seemed to be something that was curated for instagram in mind. I wish it had focused on Gucci's evolution. What I mean by that was everything seemed to be for a photo opportunity rather than there being a theme to the exhibit.
Loved these orange and blue boxes
Before I left for abroad, Mrs. Dawson put together a thoughtful gift of all the things I would need abroad and one of the things, was for a drink at the Four Seasons Florence. Mom and I left Gucci in search of finding some reprieve from the rain and definitely found that at the Four Seasons. It is spectacular on the inside and I ordered a Moulin Rouge, which was not only aesthetically pleasing but also very sweet. I was a big fan.
On Sunday morning, we headed to the La Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna; on the first Sunday of the month in Rome all museums are free. I had been there before, but I was in for a pleasant surprise when I got there and they had redone several exhibits so it was like seeing everything for the first time again. From there we walked around the Borghese Gardens, the Gardens have quickly become my favorite place in Rome. I could spend hours wandering around there, there is always so much to explore and all the cafes are adorable. The people watching at the gardens is unparalleled, especially on the weekends, Italian families will come here with picnics and their children. We had lunch at Dar Poeta, which I will feature more later.
After lunch, we decided to take a nap so that we would be able to stay up for the Super Bowl. After our nap, we got up and went to Flavio al Velavevodetto ai Quiriti for dinner. I had already made a reservation there, but then Mom's cooking instructor recommended it and to order the Cacio e Pepe. It seems crazy that something so simple could be the most highly recommended item, but it was amazing. We went back to the hotel for a catnap then tried to find a bar to watch the Superbowl. We were turned away from one bar and as we walked back across the Tiber it was 12:15 and there was not a soul in sight. I reflected to Mom, "Do you think a car is going to pick us up and take us back to the 1920's?" Unfortunately this did not happen. After a devastating loss, Mom and I called it a night.
Mom and I by the pond at the Borghese Gardens.
Monday was Mom's last day and we got a quick bite to eat at Capatoast, then we went to the Pantheon. From the Pantheon, I told Mom we had to have gelato one last time so we went to Giolitti and sat outside so we could people watch.
At Giolitti, one must get the whipped cream on top.
I was very sad to see Mom leave Tuesday morning, but am excited to see her in London. Traveling with Mom in Rome was the first time we had done a girl's trip since my senior year of high school (needless to say it went a bit better this time) and it was special for me to show my mom the little part of Rome that I have carved out to call home.
The next morning we woke up and had breakfast on the roof of our hotel which overlooks the Vatican. Something that it is hard to not take for granted, but I am trying to keep in mind is how old and how much history this city possesses. Waking up and being able to look at the Vatican is a humbling experience to say the least. After classes, Mom and I met for lunch at Bonci then headed off to the Vatican for our tour. We did a three hour tour of the Vatican and I was proud of Mom for sticking it out the entire time. I'm actually heading back to the Vatican tomorrow to climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Also check out this amazing article about the new Director of the Vatican Museums, she is the first woman to hold the role. We were quite tired after so we headed back to the hotel for a nap before dinner. For dinner, we went to Hostaria da Cesare. I didn't love my meal, but Mom enjoyed hers. It is definitely an old-school Italian restaurant.
The next day Mom had a cooking class all day, which she really enjoyed and modestly said was the best meal she had in Italy. We started the night off with apertivo with my cousin Mallary and her fiancé Clint, who were in Rome for a couple of days visiting. We went to Il Soprasso, which I have been to before, but has amazing cheese and prosciutto boards. It is a great place to go for nibbles. My mother and I headed to Il Pratolino for pizzas. It is across the street from my apartment and I loved my broccolini and sausage pizza, but Mom's was a bit weird. We wanted to get to bed early because we had an early train to Florence.
Mom's first aperol spritz
We arrived in Florence before our entrance time at the Uffizi Gallery (you have to make reservations before going with a set time to enter) so we wandered into a cafe to kill some time. When it was our time to enter the museum, Mom let me know that I could go at my own pace through the galleries as long as we left at a reasonable time. My mother and I lost each other and she spent 45 minutes waiting for me (I am sorry!) then we finished the museum together. I loved the way it was set up and all of the sculpture. One of the (obvious) highlights was seeing Botticelli's Venus. Once we had finished at the museum, we headed to Cellerini, which is a beautiful shop where people are able to design their own leather goods. After spending a long time debating, we headed to the leather markets to investigate. I got a new leather tote and some gloves that actually fit for once! We then went to lunch at Trattoria 13 gobbi, which a friend of mine had recommended. We had a leisurely lunch and I ordered the rigatoni, which is what they are known for, and chocolate cake. It was sooooooo delicious. I didn't want to stop eating even though I was definitely full.
My rigatoni. Swoon.
I cannot be stopped.
Mom's spaghetti
We headed off to the Ferragamo museum, which focused on Ferragamo's move back to Florence after working in Hollywood for several years. They also tried to connect art to his move. It was interesting to see, but quite small, and I wished they had focused on his creative process and shoes a bit more. From there we went to the Gucci museum. While it was cool to see, it seemed to be something that was curated for instagram in mind. I wish it had focused on Gucci's evolution. What I mean by that was everything seemed to be for a photo opportunity rather than there being a theme to the exhibit.
Loved these orange and blue boxes
Before I left for abroad, Mrs. Dawson put together a thoughtful gift of all the things I would need abroad and one of the things, was for a drink at the Four Seasons Florence. Mom and I left Gucci in search of finding some reprieve from the rain and definitely found that at the Four Seasons. It is spectacular on the inside and I ordered a Moulin Rouge, which was not only aesthetically pleasing but also very sweet. I was a big fan.
On Sunday morning, we headed to the La Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna; on the first Sunday of the month in Rome all museums are free. I had been there before, but I was in for a pleasant surprise when I got there and they had redone several exhibits so it was like seeing everything for the first time again. From there we walked around the Borghese Gardens, the Gardens have quickly become my favorite place in Rome. I could spend hours wandering around there, there is always so much to explore and all the cafes are adorable. The people watching at the gardens is unparalleled, especially on the weekends, Italian families will come here with picnics and their children. We had lunch at Dar Poeta, which I will feature more later.
After lunch, we decided to take a nap so that we would be able to stay up for the Super Bowl. After our nap, we got up and went to Flavio al Velavevodetto ai Quiriti for dinner. I had already made a reservation there, but then Mom's cooking instructor recommended it and to order the Cacio e Pepe. It seems crazy that something so simple could be the most highly recommended item, but it was amazing. We went back to the hotel for a catnap then tried to find a bar to watch the Superbowl. We were turned away from one bar and as we walked back across the Tiber it was 12:15 and there was not a soul in sight. I reflected to Mom, "Do you think a car is going to pick us up and take us back to the 1920's?" Unfortunately this did not happen. After a devastating loss, Mom and I called it a night.
Mom and I by the pond at the Borghese Gardens.
Monday was Mom's last day and we got a quick bite to eat at Capatoast, then we went to the Pantheon. From the Pantheon, I told Mom we had to have gelato one last time so we went to Giolitti and sat outside so we could people watch.
At Giolitti, one must get the whipped cream on top.
I was very sad to see Mom leave Tuesday morning, but am excited to see her in London. Traveling with Mom in Rome was the first time we had done a girl's trip since my senior year of high school (needless to say it went a bit better this time) and it was special for me to show my mom the little part of Rome that I have carved out to call home.
The infamous cacio e pepe!
We met the nicest British couple, who was in town for a rugby match
Mom and I on her last day
Mom thought this was funny
Mom and I are a big fan of some domes
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