Like most cities in Europe, Rome is there to please all senses. The sights are an obvious one, so are the sounds of street musicians and opera — this country is it’s birthplace after all, but perhaps the most obvious sense that Rome appeals to is taste which goes closely hand in hand with scent.
When walking through the streets of Rome the scent that lingers is warm and heavy with thousands of years of culture and calamity. It’s the scent of pizza, wine, the spritz, and perfumes of a hundred different cultures. Rome is by no means easy on the senses.
The city that is home to another city — the Vatican, which is home Roman Catholic church — has never had an affinity for understatement. It’s always been something other: gaudy architecture, lavish people, strong drinks and sublime flavors. Beyond the coliseum and the center of Rome, just south of the Vatican lies the neighborhoods of Gianicolo and Trastevere.
In these tree lined neighborhoods, I found a little place called Freni e Frizioni. Here the spritz is a way of life. Three parts sparkling wine, two parts Campari and one part soda. The drink has a kick and a bitter sweet taste which is ideal for cooling down in the blistering summer heat. It also has a sweeter counterpart called the Aperol spritz.
Freni e Frizioni is perfect for people watching as it’s more of a locals hangout. The bar also offers some complimentary antipasti — a variety of vegetarian local dishes. Sitting on the century old stairs, enjoying rich flavors and hearing the enthusiastic Italian chatter is the way to spend an evening, while not forgetting that dinner is just around the corner.
(the view from Freni e Frizioni)
Penned by Alina K. A. 