Caffe Leonardo Ristorante Pizzeria‏ - Piazza di Spagna. – Rome, Italy.

Caffe Leonardo Ristorante Pizzeria
‏

It was a beautiful day in Rome, very hot and sunny with barely a cloud in sight. We wanted to make the most of our time there as we were only there for a day. One day in Rome is just not enough! We had a late lunch and were still partially full but decided to eat dinner regardless. This is because we didn't want to return back to the hotel and venture back into the city centre. Such greedy and lazy eaters we are.
 

 

 

We spent the whole day roaming the streets and sights of Rome till our legs were so sore, and we were so exhausted, that we had to find a seat to sit on.

 

 

Caffe Leonardo is located behind the famous 'Spanish Steps' in Rome. An area filled with many tourists and a few thieves who pick pocket. Do take care of your belongings as I've heard many stories of money/goods being stolen, but I didn't experience this myself, thankfully.
 

 

It's a beautiful area to dine in, as a short stroll will take you to the water fountain in front of the steps, where you can indulge yourself in delicious Italian ice-cream.

This place offers casual dining at moderate prices that won't blow your budget, with mains starting at below 10 Euro. It may be pricier than restaurants you would find within the inner centre, but you’re paying for the ambience and great location.  

 

Can you believe it's past 8pm in these pictures? Looks like we're dining in broad daylight.

We chose to sit outside under the patio as the weather was warm and we wanted to eye watch people in the plaza. People watching is a popular hobby for the Parisians who sit outside at cafes staring at people but I'm not sure if this applies to the Italians.

 

The staff were friendly and food was served promptly without having to wait long.

The Italians are famous for their pizza and pasta and that is what we ordered even though we just had it for lunch! Can't leave Italy without savouring their specialities.

 

They make excellent coffees here. Warning. Do not order the 'Latte' as this is just milk without coffee! I accidentally pressed Latte on one of those coffee machines back at the hotel and it dispensed only milk. Initially, I thought the machine was broken, until someone told me that the word latte means milk.
 

'Caffe Shakerato (EUR 3.50)' is a shaken iced black coffee. Strong black coffee with a bit of sugar that is shaken with shaved iced. Refreshing and thirst quenching in the summer heat.
 

 

The 'Cappuccino (EUR 3.70)' looks more like our version of the latte. Strong coffee but well balanced out with the addition of milk. Love their cute sugar packets in those heart shaped sachets.

 

The 'Diavola Pizza (EUR 9.50)' looked picture perfect but didn't match the ones we had for lunch. It still tasted pretty good with the exception of the base, which was much thicker than the ones we were accustomed to having in Italy. This was topped with tomato, mozzarella and hot salami pieces.
 

'Spaghetti Allo Scoglio (EUR 10.00)' is their version of the seafood pasta and cooked with a tomato based sauce. Pasta didn't taste as fresh as the one we tried earlier in the day. A few prawns and oysters’ scattered about, here and there, but not the most generous with the seafood.

 

Really wanted to try their 'Tiramisu' but we were so full that there was no space for this lovely Italian dessert.
 

It's a good lunch and dinner spot to be able to relax and enjoy decent Italian fare, but nothing beats the one at Angelino Ai Fori Ristorante Pizzeria.
 

Where?
Piazza Mignanelli 21 (P.zza di Spagna)
00187 Rome
Italy
Phone no: 066797310

Opening Hours

NA

Website
NA
 

Angelino Ai Fori Ristorante Pizzeria – Rome - Rome, Italy.

Angelino Ai Fori Ristorante Pizzeria

 

 

It was a scorcher of a day with the sun out in full swing but that didn’t stop us from going outside. With my sun hat on, SPF 50 sunscreen slopped on and sunglasses in tow, I was good to go. I think I went a few shades darker from walking around the whole day but it was well worth it and if you know me, I don’t want to get any darker.

 

 

 

 

The beauty of the surroundings in Rome and the history behind everything just blew my mind away. I never would have thought that I would be in Rome, and to be able to witness those amazing sights is mind boggling. The pictures from the internet and the guide books don’t do these attractions justice.

 

 

The first restaurant we stumbled on when walking back from the Colosseum was the ‘Angelino Ai Fori Ristorante Pizzeria’.

 

 Located on a corner, near the traffic lights, it is one of the busiest restaurants in the area, where we had to wait 10 to 15 minutes for a table. We were a bit apprehensive due to the number of tourists in there, but left pleasantly surprised after finishing our meals.

 

 

Both indoor and outdoor seating is available but it most sat outside as the weather was so nice and pleasant. The outdoor seating area is covered with vines and leaves, which gives you a nice shade, and is a welcome from the hot and sunny weather. It’s a nice place to relax and watch the world go by as you feast in Italian cuisine.

 

 

They have one menu with a few different languages, to cater for the tourists including English.

 

‘Pizza Poppea (EUR 10.50)’ is topped with fresh cheese made of buffalo’s milk, fresh tomato and basil. The thin flour base is evenly cooked with a nice and crispy outside. Even though the ingredients used were very simple, they were extra fresh and so scrumptious. It was divine.

 

‘Pizza Al Funghi (EUR 8.20)’ is a popular pizza in Italy as I’ve seen it on many menus. This was topped with tomato, mozzarella and mushrooms. Again, a great pizza with minimal toppings but does its job of satisfying one’s cravings.

 

‘Fettuccine Alla Romana (EUR 9.30)’ was a superb pasta dish. Fresh made fettuccine pasta with a roman style meat sauce on top. Yet again, another simple looking dish but excellently made in all elements. It had the right combination and balance of flavours. It wasn’t bland and had the odd addition of snow peas.

 

 

‘Pizza Puttanesca (EUR 9.20)’ was mistakenly ordered as my friend thought it was a spicy pepperoni pizza. No pepperoni in there! This had tomato, mozzarella, olives, anchovies and chilli-pepper. Nice pizza but I don’t like anchovies in my pizza as it can get very salty. Luckily there wasn’t too much of it and as such, the pizza wasn’t very salty at all.

 

Oh how I love you 'Chilli Flakes'.

 

 

'Still Water' and 'Sparking Water'. No tap water is served here.

No room for dessert unfortunately but I really wanted to try the tiramisu. Looks like I may have to make another trip to Italy in a few years time just to have the tiramisu.

Hands down the best pizza and pasta I had in Europe. Absolutely delicious and scrumptious and till today, I still have images of what it looked like and how it tasted. A popular place for tourist but evidently, the food is very good, tasty and the ingredients used are fresh. One of the friendliest wait staff we experienced whilst in Europe. The waiter we had was not only funny and humorous but also very entertaining.

Great location and excellent food at moderate prices is always a winner for me. If you’re after the real deal, then this is the place to go to if you’re in Rome. A must have in Italy is Italian pizza and pasta and you can’t leave Rome without trying the fundamentals.

 

 

 

Even though it is located close to tourist attractions and the restaurant is filled with tourists, don’t be scared off by this. I highly recommended this restaurant if you are visiting Rome.

 

Where?
Largo Corrado Ricci 40-43A

(Angolo Via Dei Imperiali)

00184 Rome Italy

 

Phone no: +39 06 679 1121

Opening Hours

Open Everyday Except Tuesdays

9am - 11pm

Website

www.angelinoaifori.com

 

Hofbrauhaus Munchen - Munich - Munich, Germany.

Hofbrauhaus Munchen

 

 

 

Hofbrauhaus is a German restaurant/beer hall, located within the Munich city centre and has become to be known as a popular tourist destination. It is visited by locals and tourists alike. The restaurant is huge and it can cater for hundreds of people. They are known for their beers and steins (1L), fresh pretzels as big as your face,  sausages, gingerbread hearts and pork knuckles. I was so excited prior to coming here as I never tried German food before. The tour guide said German food is very hearty, heavy and starchy but AMAZING. This is a must visit restaurant if you are in Muinch! When it is busy, expect to wait but the turnover is high so the wait times shouldn’t be too long.

 

 

The interior of the restaurant is simple but feels very homely. The place was packed when we went for dinner and it felt very lively and energetic with  people talking and laughing.  There was also a live band playing with some diners singing and swinging their beer steins.

 

 

 

Do not fret, they have an English menu! Not only is the menu in English, there are also descriptions to go with the menu item so you know what ingredients they use.

 

 

*Credit to A

 

 

You can’t leave Germany without trying one of their famous local beers. The ‘Munchner Weibe (EUR3.95)’ is half a litre. Great value for money and a smooth, refreshing drink.

 

 

If you're extra thirsty, then the 'Hofbrau Original (EUR 7.60)' is for you at an astounding 1L!

 

 

 

I looked around and noticed one very popular dish sitting on most tables. From their ‘Specialities Menu’, the ‘Crispy Roasted Knuckle of Pork - Schweinshaxn (EUR12.90)’ served in natural gravy with a grated potato dumpling was a crowd hit. Absolutely delicious! It was marinated and cooked to perfection. The skin was ultra crispy and the meat was falling off the bone.  That awkward potato looking thing was actually a dumpling that I’ve never tried before. It is commonly served in roasts.

 

We received our order in no time as the staff were very efficient. Didn’t have to wait long. Waitress’s walk around selling large, freshly baked pretzels in baskets.

 

The food is excellent, price is reasonable and staff are friendly.  Three ticks from me.

 

 

*Credit to A

 

If you are in Munich, you have to visit this restaurant. It’s one of the originals and is a great place for lunch or dinner with friends. Most people come here for the beer, food and the atmosphere.

 

I'll definitely be returning if I go back to Munich.

 

Where?

Platzl 9

80331 Munich

Bavaria

Germany

 

Phone no: +49(0)89-29 01 36-100

 

Opening Hours

NA

 

Website

www.hofbraeuhaus.de

 

Holiday Announcement

Holiday Announcement

Hello All,

In a few weeks I will be flying off to the wonderful land of macarons and desserts.

Keep an eye out as I'll be blogging from France and surrounding countries in Europe!!!

Seeya at the other side of the the world shortly!

:)