After nine straight days of pasta, it was time for something different! I was stunned to find a Middle Eastern place in an alley right off Campo de Fiori. Nobody was inside and all the Italians were walking right on by without even a glance. I figured, someone has to be the first customer and it's going to be me!
I went in and noticed the waiter was sleeping on a table in the back. The cook didn't look happy or even remotely interested but he did decide to take my order. I selected shawarma and gyro sandwiches and he began to prepare them! When it came time to select toppings, I went with the always appropriate "everything" and was pleased to see a generous helping of unidentified white and red sauce along with an assortment of pickled veggies. The sandwiches were prepared in burrito wraps rather than pita bread and then pressed in a sandwich press.
As I left, I noticed a small crowd of Italians watching me closely and whispering to each other. It was apparent I might have been the first customer they'd ever seen go to a non-Italian restaurant in Italy! Was it heresy? Insanity? Should they try it? I was stunned to see them select one of their group and send them inside to order. Could this be the moment hot sauce changes Italian food culture forever!?
We enjoyed our sandwiches and the hot sauce provided a wonderful kick never experienced in traditional Italian food culture! If I'm ever in Rome for a long time again, we'll stop by here one more time! read more