A few years ago in autumn, I visited Rome
โa city everyone dreams of seeing at least once! Walking through streets lined with historic buildings felt like stepping back in time. With ancient Roman ruins, the grandeur of the Vatican, magnificent churches, and green parks, Rome is a city that captivates history lovers and those who simply want to soak in the ambiance.
Inspired by the locals,
we started the morning with an espresso at a Roman cafรฉ. Unlike the leisurely Parisian cafรฉs I wrote about before in my blog, here, a lively energy filled the air. Perhaps it was because everyone ordered at the counter? The baristas moved with skill and speed, seamlessly handling the steady stream of customers. Most people quickly downed their espresso and dashed off to their next stop. Following suit, we sipped ours at the counterโa rich, bold Italian espresso that lingered on the palate. It was a moment where I felt part of Romeโs bustling morning rhythm.
But now, letโs talk about the highlight: the food!
My most unforgettable culinary experience in Rome? Definitely the carbonara! This dish, a traditional specialty of Rome and the Lazio region, could be described as the essence of Roman flavor.
While wandering down a small, bustling street filled with cozy local eateries, we stumbled upon a charming little trattoria and had our fated encounter with true Roman carbonara. As our family glanced over the menu and chatted in French, the owner overheard us and came over to recommend some dishesโin French! As it turns out, he was from Argentina and had met his Roman wife while studying in Paris. Since then, theyโve made Rome their home. Such a beautiful twist of fate!
Our meal began with his recommendation:
a simple yet elegant appetizer of arugula, prosciutto, and mozzarella, dressed with olive oil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. The ingredients were fresh and vibrant, bursting with flavor as soon as they touched our lipsโa perfect pairing with a glass of robust red wine.
And then, the moment we had all been waiting for: the carbonara.
Each strand of pasta was enveloped in a velvety sauce made from savory guanciale, intense cheese, and rich egg. It was pure, unadulterated blissโa meal to remember. Our whole family was enraptured by its depth and simplicity. In true Roman style, the carbonara is made with โguanciale,โ a cured meat from pork cheek, and โPecorino Romano,โ the traditional, tangy sheepโs milk cheese of Rome.The guanciale, with its melt-in-your-mouth richness, added an incredible depth, while the Pecorino Romano, a cheese enjoyed since the Roman Empire, brought a salty boldness that tied the sauce together perfectly.
And hereโs the best part: No cream!
Authentic Roman carbonara gets its luxurious texture only from the egg yolks. This little-known detail makes all the difference, resulting in a beautifully balanced, authentic flavor that simply canโt be replicated.
Completely hooked,
we decided to try carbonara at another trattoria the next day, where it was served in an impressively towering portion. Of course, we sampled many delicious pizzas throughout our trip, but that first carbonara experience was unforgettable. On our last evening, we returned to the same trattoria. Everyone in the family was eager for another taste of that incredible carbonaraโexcept for me, who, out of curiosity, tried the amatriciana this time.
One funny aside:
my husband always eats pasta with a knife and forkโa habit I always found amusing and a bit puzzling. Why would he need a knife for pasta? The Argentinian owner couldnโt help but smile and remark, โCโest nul! (That’s just wrong!)โ Naturally, we all shared a laugh.
This unforgettable experience in Rome
left us inspired to recreate carbonara at home. Though finding the same authentic ingredients can be challenging, itโs wonderful to bring a little slice of Rome to our family table. This Carbonara Roman style recipe has earned its place among our top five family favoritesโgive it a try and taste a bit of Rome yourself!
