Day 13 - coffee in Rome

If any of you know me well, you know I love my coffee. Noramlly, i don't really drink it for taste but for ritual. Unless of course, it's Christmas morning at my mom's and she has that french vanilla creamer I'm addicted to but won't ever let myself buy. When I went to Italy in 2008, I couldn't get over the hot and creamy cups they'd serve like it was just nothing out of the ordinary. They come in small white cups filled to the brim of the best coffee I have ever had. Bobbye Jo and I couldn't get enough. I think I still have some of the sweetener packages in a drawer to remember them by, just like a long lost friend...sigh.

The first thing that you should know is that the only thing Italy and Starbucks have in common is some of the names for the types or sizes of coffee. It ends there. Don't expect to get up to the counter and order a skinny vanilla soy latte. It won't happen. In fact, you'll be lucky to get a side of milk. That said, I urge you to just taste waht they have and enjoy it. Who wants fake sugar and nonfat milk on vacation anyway?

Here are the 5 most famous cafes in Rome:

- Caffe Grecco - Via Condotti 86
This is more historic over being the "best" in Rome, and if you sit down to order, you will be charged extra.

- Caffe S. Eustachio - Piazza S. Eustachio 82
The espresso and gran caffe speciale is known to be to die for! You will find this place by the Pantheon.

- Caffe della Pace - Piazza delle Pace 4
After you wander around the Piazza Navona, turn the corner and you'll find it!- Caffe Doney - Via V. Veneto 145
Cute little piano bar.

- Caffe Rosati - Piazza del Popolo 5A
Try a cappucino and one of their famous sandwiches!
(addresses taken from yourguidetoitaly.com)

(Dan Schneider)