The Pre Dessert!

This was spectacular!

Just look at it.

After a lovely meal filled with intense flavors,

what could one possibly serve to transition from savory to sweet?

 Our

Pre Dessert:

Lapsang Souchong Gelato 

served on a bed of Coffee

with a Berry Coulis

and Salumi Chiffonade.

I thought it was gorgeous.

The gelato... amazing!

Honestly, I'm not sure if I could've done without the salumi or not.

But it was very, very good!

The Best Pre Dessert in Rome.

At 

Il Convivio.

Rome - And another thing...

While in Rome

I stayed at 

The Hotel Lord Byron.

This spectacular 

32 room

Art Deco Villa 

is located  a few minutes 

out of the fray,

in the calm and quiet 

Parioli District. 

It is the perfect place to regroup 

after a busy day in this fascinating city.

The setting,

amenities and service,

led by Concierge

Andrea Lacetera,

could not be better!

And their restaurant

Sapori del Lord Byron,

is world class.

I dined there the first night that I arrived, 

too tired to venture out. 

My delicious meal,

some of it pictured above included -

Medaglioni di tonno rosso ai pistacchi con caponata

agrodolce di asparagi e ostriche al lardo

and for dessert,

one of the best in Rome - 

Mousse di fragole e aceto balsamico 

con salsa al cioccolato bianco e menta

Scenes of Rome

Morandi a Roma 6 Maggio 2012

Scenes of Rome

Renzo Piano's 

Parco della Musica

Scenes of Rome

Misteri di Mitra

Scenes of Rome

L'Ombra di una Spider

Scenes of Rome

MAXXI

by

Pritzker Award winning Architect

Zaha Hadid

Scenes of Rome

Il ritorno degli Angeli

Scenes of Rome

Muro della foglia d'oro

Scenes of Rome

Roma Japonesque

Scenes of Rome

Spirito volare attraverso lo zero

Scenes of Rome

Una Piccola Porta nel Cuore di Roma

Scenes of Rome

Omaggio a Clyfford Still

Scenes of Rome

Valvole Meccaniche del Sole

Old Friends, New Friends - Enrico Rava Jazz Italiano Live 2009

Welcome back Dear Readers.

So nice to see you again.

For this Old Friends, New Friends edition,

(a new-ish feature that is scheduled to appear every Tuesday)

a wonderful new work

from a

Dear Old Friend:

Enrico Rava.

Isn't it nice to have great friends?

My buddy Paolo

just returned from Rome

with a gift

for me.

Enrico Rava's

Jazz Italiano Live 2009

recording is a

rollicking,

freewheeling,

(dare I say?)

gamboling

romp

by one of Italy's

preeminent

Jazz Masters.

I'm not sure if this is available in The States yet.

Regardless,

wherever you are,

keep your eyes peeled for this

fine new disc featuring:

Enrico Rava - Trumpet

Mauro Ottolini - Trombone, tuba

Dan Kinzelman - Tenor Sax

Daniele Tittarelli - Alto Sax

Marcello Giannini - Guitar

Giovanni Guida - Piano

Stefano Senni - Bass

Zeno De Rossi - Drums

This brilliant recording

reminded me of the fine 1978 Enrico Rava Quartet recording on ECM.

For good reason.

Both recordings contain riotous, scorching versions of the tune

- Lavori Casalinghi.

It also happens to be a lot of fun.

Something no one I know has so much of that they can't use a little more.

Treat yourself.

Better yet,

find a wonderful, generous  friend

who might slip this into your Christmas stocking!