Dining in Rome I

A few nights ago I leapt from 

The Hotel Lord Byron 

and  into a waiting taxi.

The taxi took me down the hill in Parioli,

across the Tiber into Prati, 

and up into the hills that surround Rome. 

Destination -  The Rome Cavelieri

and 

Dinner at the 3 Michelin star

La Pergola!

The sun was close to setting when I arrived 

and the entry level with softly lit pines 

was 

soothing and inviting.

I went up to the 9th floor and was seated at my beautiful table.

Menus arrived.

Breads arrived. 

Then came a gorgeous 

olive oil from 

Lake Garda.

Delicately fruity and a bit peppery,

it was delicious.

I will have to find out who made this nectar of the Gods 

and pass it on to you!

Having perused the menus a bit,

I decided on a 6 course meal.

It was spectacular!

I started off with...

Duck foie gras with apple, almond and amaretti

that was rich, silken, and had a bit of a crunch - amazing!


Up next a modern take on a rather traditional

Roman dish - carbonara.

Fagottelli  "La Pergola" -

Little pillows of pasta stuffed with and drizzled with

a carbonara sauce, received a grind or two of cracked pepper

as it arrived at the table.


Then came the subtle and lightly crisped

King Prawns in tempura on puree of fried squids -

Are you swooning yet?!

I can assure you I was!


Then there was a very sexy, savory dish!

Black Cod with marinated anchovies and chilli pepper sauce

was so incredible, and to think that it looked like an

abstract expressionist piece - Motherwell perhaps -

made it even more brilliant!


For my last entree an unctuous...

Veal cheek with curly endive, burrata

and popped rice with curry and saffron -

was the ultimate comfort food!


Then the table was cleared and there was a bit of a pause

before the 2nd part of my meal

began.

The Grand Dessert

It began with a

little silver case filled with Petit Fours,

and a little dish of a

Mango Sorbet with Lemongrass Sauce.

The four sided case had three drawers per side with a couple different little cookies,

 candies, gelees etc... per drawer.

24 of these delicious little bites!

All for me!

When I'd enjoyed a few of these delicious treats

I cleared my palate with this

tart sorbet.


I was in 7th heaven and began thinking of delicious coffees.


But no,

that was not to be...

not yet!


After all they sure didn't call this the

Grand Dessert

for nothing!


Along came...

The Warm Desserts

a Banana Raspberry Boat, 

Licorice Souffle, 

and a shot of a Coconut Cream.


And then,

what would Warm Desserts

be without the contrast of

Cold Desserts?

These included a Tiramisu like mousse,

Champagne gelee with a little baby strawberry...

etc...

By this time my head was spinning, I was laughing,

 wondering if someone had been playing a joke on me!


But no, this was all a part of the plan and their

Grand Dessert.


It was time now for a smokey espresso.

As I pondered how perfect my evening had been,

the beautiful setting, the elegant service, every mouthful of my meal,

the absurdly extravagant dessert,

a server strolled by and slid these

Homemade Chocolates 

in next to my cup.


I just had to laugh.


La Pergola was a joy & a delight

and worth every Michelin Star.


If you are like me,

you will not want to miss treating yourself to a sumptuous evening

at this wonderful restaurant

when in Rome.


Arrivederci!

David