Long relaxing lunches, fresh sauce being prepared on a Sunday, aperitivo everyday...
Ever wonder what it's like to live the life of an Italian? TIS team member Giorgio Nardini gives us a true inside look on being a native Roman foodie.
PHOTO BY GIORGIO NARDINI
Sunday morning. I wake up at 11 and the fresh tomato sauce has been ready for three hours. It’s for the lasagna. On another huge pan are mushrooms, olive oil and a little bit of parsley. It’s for the fettuccine. Two main dishes? Sì! The sizzling concoction is reawakening my taste buds as I stir my latte. This is basically a classic Sunday breakfast in Italy. Milk, coffee, cookies or homemade cakes (can I add Nutella?) and the smell of lasagna, mushrooms and fried delicacies.
PHOTO BY GIORGIO NARDINI
On Sundays we usually take our time to enjoy our meal and talk a little bit more with our relatives. Lunch is always followed by coffee. Forget Keruig or Nespresso machines: Bialetti moka is the way. I still have one moka my grandma used probably 20 years ago. And it’s still pouring that good coffee. Thanks granny.
PHOTO BY GIORGIO NARDINI
Italians don't like to eat fast. We like staying with our butts on the chair for a long time to chitchat and comment on the food we have eaten. When I go to a restaurants with my friends, sixty percent of the talk is about what we’re eating: “This one is awesome.” - “You should try this!” - “Can I have more bread please?” - “I. Am. In. Heaven.”
PHOTO BY GIORGIO NARDINI
One night I went out with some friends and decided to eat at McDonald’s. Can you believe we stayed there for one hour and a half? We got our food really fast but didn’t want to leave because we were talking and laughing and having a good time. We reversed the definition of fast food that night. Even when you’re at McDonald’s, take your time. Enjoy the time you’re spending with your friends or family and keep your phone away.
Eating in Italy, is something more than just taking calories. It means embracing a culture that makes food one of its mainstays. It means sharing stories, driving for one hour to get to that restaurant you love, slowing down for one night and then napping with your full belly and a smile on your face.
You should give it a try.
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Meet Giorgio
Giorgio Velardita Nardiniand was born and raised outside Rome! He is joining the TIS team as International Public Relations and Branding Advisor. As a passionate amateur photographer, traveling is the thing he loves the most can’t live a day without thinking about his next destination. When not researching for TIS, Giorgio shares his photos and advice on his very own blog wanderlustdaily.com/en which is written in both in Italian and in English. His goal is to inspire people to travel more. While he loves Italy his dream is to live somewhere in the USA (every since his first visit in 2009 when he was 18 & fell in love with the American culture (and burgers). Oh yes: he is also a foodie. Say “pasta” and “pizza” and Giorgio is your friend.