We start our day in the Mercato by meeting up with Rachel and, with coffee in hand, discuss what we are going to cook together for lunch tomorrow.
We decide we will walk over to Les Vignerons to pick up the wine today. On our way I spot one of the nine Lombardi fountains that can be found around the city.
Each fountain represents the rione or district in which it is situated. Fontana del Timone (helm) can be found on the banks of the Tiber, once the site of the ancient river port of Rome, Ripa Grande. The Amphorae Fountain in Piazza Testaccio is another example of Lombardi's work. Unexpected treat number one.
We are a little early for Les Vignerons so we walk across Piazza San Cosimato to Bar Calisto.
Thanks to Rachel we enjoy unexpected treat number two. We love this bar for coffee and drinks but had never thought of getting a refreshing lemon sorbet here.
Whilst paying for the wine we spot a business card for Taverna Cestia which strangely enough I had seen mentioned on Instagram earlier this morning. We decide we will all go for lunch there later, and as it allows BYO wine, pick up a couple more bottles to go.
This, of course, is unexpected treat number three. Though we had passed this spot many times on the bus and tram we had never spotted Taverna Cestia, tucked under the trees.
The menu consists of good Roman classics. Mixed Salami & fritti to start.
Pasta and polpette with salsa verde to follow.
The men decided they would have dessert while Rachel & I just ordered coffee. We couldn't resist trying a little when they arrived, particularly the rum baba which were seriously alcoholic!
The wines, chosen by Rachel, complemented the meal perfectly, especially the Ortigara which was slightly sparkling & was lovely with the fritti.
Rachel & Vincenzo were super company and this unexpected lunch became one of the highlights of the week.
We chilled out on the terrace before heading back into the city to shop for our daughter in law who is expecting a baby in October.
We discovered May Dodo a couple of years ago when our daughter was pregnant. They sell Italian made maternity wear & the cutest baby bootees.
Purchases in hand we head back to the apartment to prepare the piennolo tomatoes we bought yesterday in Naples.
After cooking them 'low and slow' in olive oil for around 30 minutes we use them on bruschetta.
This is followed by 'Rachel's lentils' topped with a fried egg.
Our chosen wine from Les Vignerons was pizzacante by Le Coste. Bought as much for the label as anything but actually a final treat to end our day.
