A little bit on food and a little bit on being stuck in Milano…

Sometimes things happen for a reason…I guess…

I travel for a living and for pleasure, I simply love jumping on and off trains, glide through new territory, fly off from rainy airpots listening to the buzz and anticipation of people that are heading to the four corners of the world, and to me what normally frustrates travelers are the very things that makes it a fascination adventure.

But I must admit that this time around I’m very ready to cool off in Norway for a bit, so I’m in a bit of a loss when last night I was trying to buy a ticket from Milano, it simply would not work!

None of my cards worked, no one was reachable by phone and airline websites kept kicking me off!

I’ve never experienced anything like it!

So when I after midnight realized I was not going to get a flight out of Milano today, I settled in and started planning for three more days here in the city.

It’s the strangest thing, because as soon as I picked Thursday for my departure date on different airlins, everything worked, my cards, the websites and et voila I’m now stuck in Milano till Thursday;)

So I thought while here, now that I am in limbo land, I’d share some food from Rome with you as promised, but listen, you might want to bring a snack because I have a feeling you  might get a wee bit hungry:)

Bon Voyage!

I can’t think of better ways to acquaint myself with new places than to slowly make my way through their food scene to be introduced to the flavors of a new place.

Let’s face it, it’s like kissing someone you are beginning to fall for, and I’ve been making out with Rome for the past month, and let me tell you, this city has it all!

But let’s just take a little dive into it’s food scene before we get lost in art, history, shopping and what not.

Little nibblings like small aperitivo dishes are just heaven when you after a long day are waiting to have late dinner, as in Rome they eat dinner between 20-23.

My Norwegian stomach that is used to a big meal at 17 is having a bit of challenge and it’s always so delightfully happy when I feed it small nibblings or aperitivo around 18.

Aperitivo in Italy is just small dishes that you get to nibble on while having a drink in a bar, to prepare you for dinner. It’s a very social thing where friends can meet up and chat.

It’s also great for work relations, to meet up informally, have a drink and nibble on tasty little food delights.

But then I get really hungry and want to be swept off to a charming restaurant like the one above and have something surprising like this spaghetti dish with Lobster and brandy sauce…

What you say?

That’s right, this Chanel pasta has quickly become my favorite, it’s just as delicious as the combo is surprising, and it’s in a quiet little street close to Fontana di Trevi.

For antipasta, the little warm up dish before you eat il Primo, I’ve fallen for a Bruscetta con Brie.

Now I love a good bruschetta with tomatoes, when done with great ingredients it’s simply the best, right after the Tuscan version with herbs, garlic, salt and olive oil…:)

The above bruschetta con Brie is from a great place donwtown Rome called Gusto.

The cheese melts ever so slightly and has a soft texture that mixed with the olive oil, the crunch of the grilled bread and the Basil becomes best friends as you take the first bite.

The food scene in Gusto is a modern fusion of flavors although very rooted in italian cusine. It has a wine bar, pizzeria and inner restaurants. It also sports a charming Enoteca on the second floor and has a little kitchen accessories and tool shop where I get some of my props when needed.

In Rome I’m always on the hunt for a great Panetteria.

Bread is the basis of my life although I don’t eat it every day.

Right before I left Rome I bought this delicious bread above that I styled with one afternoon.

Sprawled out on the floor in my apartment in Rome pages for the upcoming book were filled with crust;)

While researching bakeries for my book project a friend of mine introduced me to this great bakery in Trastevere where I got to enter through the back and take a peak at how they make their bread.

Did you know they burn hazelnut shells in some of the ovens for flavoring the smoke and thus the bread?

For me eating a delicious meal is just as much related to the scenery as it has to do with the quality of the food, and I spend hours scouting out locations to eat in and to shoot in;)

This above nook is from Akbar bar in Trastever.

The food is so so, but the atmosphere, free internet and concerts keep me coming back for more…

Bar del Fico has quickly become one of my favorite places as well.

It’s a fun big restaurant and has a bar on the corner where I often meet with my friends for Aperitivo.

All this talking about food has made me a bit hungry, so I think I need to dash out in the sun here in Milano and get me a snack.

Hope you’re all having a lovely day, and make sure to eat something delicious!

(more to come soon…)