01 Rome 6 of the best Gourmet experiences in Rome The historic Italian capital is the place to go for extraordinary gastronomic delights By Penny Watson Gladiatorial gala Drink in the sights of the glorious Colosseum HELPFUL RESOURCES Gelato happy hour guests socialise, Parla pairs the gelato with Tourism Rome a cocktail based on the same alcohol used in the Email [email protected] There’s probably only one thing better than happy treat, creating an unusual but pleasant alternative Web www.turismoroma.it hour on a business trip: a gelato happy hour. to the classic Italian happy hour. Culinary historian, food journalist and certified www.katieparla.com sommelier Katie Parla hosts up to 70 delegates on this gelato aperitivo outing. Guests meet at Cocktails over the Colosseum Gelateria Fatamorgana in Piazza degli Zingari, a stunning square in Rome’s central Monti All that lies between Palazzo Manfredi hotel and district. The gelato maker – a brilliant and Rome’s Colosseum is an open-air archaeological creative woman – conjures up savoury and area called Ludus Magnus, where gladiators alcohol-based flavours depending on the season. warmed up before entering the arena. Hosted Taste-sensation combinations include olive and by Concierge in Rome, up to 100 guests can take vermouth and popcorn and campari. While in this spectacular historical view from the fourth-floor terrace of Palazzo Manfredi while Sweet escape sipping on prosecco and supping on antipasti Gelato happy such as little ‘roses’ of Parma ham, mozzarella, hour starts at pizzette and arancini. A classical music trio adds the Gelateria to the timeless atmosphere. Fatamorgana Concierge in Rome can also organise after- hours visits to sites such as Borghese Gallery. Smaller groups of 44 people seated inside plus 20 outside can opt for lunch and dinner. www.conciergeinrome.com Savouring Roma Context Travel has a three-hour Savouring Roma food-tasting tour, one of the company’s most popular options. Up to 20 guests, divided into three groups so the guide can be heard on the busy streets of Rome, will get a solid introduction 58 CEI ASIA APRIL 2013 WWW.CEI.ASIA Rome 02 from the terrace at Palazzo Manfredi Savouring Rome Try a taste of pizza al taglio (top left); delegates try their hands at making local cuisine at Daniela del Balzo’s cooking school (top right); the Wines of Italy walk includes a stop at an enoteca (above) to local fare. The walk begins close to the Roman wine history, technique and appreciation. It’s also Ghetto, where guests sample some legendary a great way to explore Rome’s characteristic old fried snacks, including carciofi, or artichokes, drinking quarters. Up to 20 guests, divided a local specialty. The groups will hit several into three groups, will meander around Rome’s different shops for unique taste sensations, ivy-covered labyrinth of streets, dropping into including coffee at one of two historic cafes two characteristic enoteche on the way. White near the Pantheon and a local pizzeria to try wines are covered at the first stop, then reds thin-crusted pizza al taglio. at the second. The docent will explain the www.contexttravel.com characteristics of each region’s important varietals and then pair a selection of wines Cooking with a local with appetizers. The group will come away knowing the difference between a Chianti and Daniela del Balzo, a qualified chef with a litany a Fiano, as well as a great area of Rome. of recipes handed down from her grandmother, www.contexttravel.com lives on Aventine Hill, an elegant residential area near the Colosseum. Up to six guests can Wine and dine on the Tiber experience the pleasures of cooking and eating in Daniela’s own home. Classes begin with a trip to Moored near the Piazza Tevere on the stretch Testaccio market and local specialty shops. of River Tiber that runs from Ponte Sisto IV to Groups then head back to Daniela’s kitchen to the beautiful arched Ponte Mazzini bridge, transform the ingredients into traditional dishes the IV – a four-storey, fully renovated luxury such as bucatini all’Amatriciana, pasta e ceci and river boat – is one of Rome’s unique corporate stuffed fried zucchini. The four-hour session ends venues. Organisers can choose from three decks with lunch at Daniela’s elegantly set dining table, and a combination of dining rooms, along with an surrounded by antiques and artwork and open kitchen, wine bar, VIP lounge, terraces, accompanied by local wine. rooftop and lounge bar. The boat can host up to www.danielascookingschool.com 250 guests (or 130 seated) and caters to high-end business lunches and dinners with a focus on fine Italian cuisine. It can be used for presentations Wine walkabout and press conferences, and previous clients Led by a trained sommelier, Context Travel’s include Costa Cruises, Sky and 4 Salti in Padella. Meat and greet A visit to one of Rome’s Wines of Italy walk is a casual tutorial in Italian www.ivroma.it n specialty delicatessens is a must WWW.CEI.ASIA APRIL 2013 CEI ASIA 59.