Wining and Dining in Rome

by Celia Sin-Tien Cheng
April 21, 2009

Food Wine Rome
By David Downie
The Little Bookroom
$24.95

When I travel, food is naturally a primary focus, but most guidebooks provide minimal information in that realm. Thankfully, The Little Bookroom is publishing Terroir Guides, a series for the foodie traveler that focuses entirely on culinary delights. The third in the series, Food Wine Rome, just came out this month.

Organized by neighborhood, each chapter includes listings in three categories. “Dining” includes restaurants, trattorias, and osterias; “gourmet shopping” covers venues such as bakeries, markets, cheese mongers, and salumi makers; and “wine” includes both shops and wine bars.

There’s also fun sidebar information, including a listing of museum cafés, a pasta family tree, and 33 ways to order coffee (image below).

Even though I’m not actively using the guide on the ground, it’s a fun, informative read that’s prompting me to plot out all the gastronomic destinations for my next visit to Rome.

The other two guides currently available are Budapest and The Italian Riviera & Genoa. And I hope there will be more!

The classic and beautiful design of the Terroir Guides is by no other than Louise Fili Ltd.