Julie_Hurst

dutyfree, I don’t drink coffee & very rarely drink iced tea, (no sugar, with lemon, since you inquired). Does that qualify or disqualify me for something in your mind?

Thanks for the suggestion of the hotel mag. Since we were in an apartment, I didn't think of that.

Also, you said, “You mention that you don't like to eat late, take a lengthy time to eat and that you take your main meal at lunch.......Rome is not where you should be dining at then.” Such a strange statement. ??? While I am in Rome because I enjoy the city, the people, the history, the sites, the energy, then where should I dine? For each meal, jet over to France, maybe? Or are you saying that the food in Rome is not any good during the day, only at night?

You said, “I stay at a hotel near the Via Veneto and the Hard Rock Cafe and the only people that I have ever seen dining there were Americans.” Have you eaten there, or were you standing outside monitoring? Have you talked with the employees? Did you talk with the diners? We did.

Once we went on a Sunday & the place was full of Italians & a long line of Italians on the waiting list. We chat with people where ever we are & there were not any Americans, except us. There was a family group with a whole gaggle of kids for a kid's birthday party – balloons & all - & they were Romans – I know because I asked. They were having a blast! It was fun.

I was told by our server that Sunday is a big day for Roman families to dine out & the Hard Rock was always full with locals on Sundays. So, obviously, some Romans like American food!

On a week day we went for lunch & Hard Rock was full of Roman worker-bees having lunch. Obviously, there are a lot of Italian restaurants in the area that are open for lunch, but they chose Hard Rock.

One time, we chatted with 4 very gracious Romans at the next table (love the Italians) & expressed our surprise at the popularity of the American-food Hard Rock for locals. We were assured that they like American food & the Hard Rock. But then I do not find that strange. Who would not want variety?

You said, “the "crappy Italian food" is all I hear about on the flights home from people." Thanks for acknowledging that my lack of fondness is shared by many others. Some on this thread have tried to indicate that I must be the problem.

You also said, "I would say that perhaps you need to go to other cities?” Am I correct that you are saying that you only travel to countries where you like the food? Better watch out. I was told to experiment, branch out. You’ll be getting that advice too!

This does appear to be a sensitive subject with you! Give me some credit - at least I didn’t say the food was “cr__py”. I just said I don’t like it – that’s all – no big deal - Italy still remains on the map!

By the way, when we were in McD's - sorry, but it was full of Romans too! We talked with a lot of them.

Julie

Julie_Hurst

StCirq, goodness. Sorry, but obviously I pushed your button, huh? Well, I don't get bored with people as easily as you do. I respect their right to choose what they put into their mouths. And when they express their opinion to me, I certainly would NEVER be so rude as to tell them to "go somewhere else or live with it", or "get with the program", or worse yet, "it's not vomit inducing" so eat it, or like our kids try to pull on us - everyone else likes it! But then, obviously your rules of manners are different from mine.

What can possibly be the problem with what I have had to say about the food in Italy. How can it possibly be "wrong" for someone not to like a certain type of food? It's not like calling someone's baby ugly!

For instance, millions of people eat at McDs every day. If someone chooses not to do so, and says it is vomit inducing, I can accept that because he/she has a right to that choice without me judging him/her. Because millions of people differ from their opinion, that does not make one right & the other wrong! How can that basic social interaction be so difficult to understand?

"I mean, you're way outside the norm in what you're asking to begin with..can you accept that?" I think that says it all - only those within the norm are acceptable? How sad.

Re: all of the suggestions, I have thankfully acknowledged those, have printed many & have copied others into my travel docs. I thought the thread would die out the first day when I signed off. I was gone for 2 days & tonite discovered that many other people had posted. Therefore, I am following thru, as I should, & responding to them. I have plenty of info & I am grateful to all of those who gave it. But it is not my decision as to when the thread ends - it ends when folks stop posting.

"if you tried it you might actually like it" I know its been a long thread, but I included that we did try it for 3 weeks last year & 2 weeks in 2005. I also listed the Italian food & restuarants that we did like & will return to this year.

You know, there is one thing about some people on these forums that I do not understand. And that is people who dislike a poster or what the poster has to say, but yet read the posts & respond. ???? Now that is strange! I worded my post "American & other food in Rome". Wouldn't you think that someone who did not agree with that concept would pass by? Makes you wonder about some folks, doesn't it?

Julie

TRSW

Julie,

If you are such a 'chatty Cathy' with the locals as you say you are, then ask THEM to recommend some non-Italian places for you to eat? I am sure they can help you.

Tom

Julie_Hurst

Tom, we did not ask the locals. We felt that would be rude & I still think that would be rude. We would never infer to the Italians that there was anything about their country that we did not like.

However, we did ask the Americans we met, even the two exchange students, & they did not know of any places except Hard Rock & McDs.

Julie

Julie_Hurst

Well, I've tried to catch up on the posts of the last 2 days. If I missed anyone who offered help, I apologize.

DH is excited. I have printed so much info about alternative eating that he is now talking about a month in Rome for 2008! So, my deepest thanks once again for the info. The Fodors’ forums are such great travel planning tools.

I don’t want to mistakenly put this all on DH’s shoulders. He & I concur about the Italian food. Actually, he is the one who initiated this trip, even though food is more important to him. One day, with a dreamy look on his face, he said, “It would be so nice to be standing in the Colosseum right now!” Those who wonder why we return just because we don't care for the food - I don't understand how they can judge Rome just based on food? Or traveling anywhere just because of the food? I guess that is why some folks are called "foodies".

Also, re: cooking - we retired in our 50's & have long since chucked the “pink” & “blue” chores in our life. By hiring out, we have eliminated most of the usually thought of as “blue” chores. So now, we share. But actually, he does most of the kitchen duties, what little there is. So I won’t mind doing some cooking in Rome & actually, I did cook last year & plan to cook this year(apartments). However, we only do quick cooking, not extensive - save that for home.

Another comment - I read the comments about who is & who is not sophisticated. IMO, there are no sophisticated people on this board! Sorry, but I can’t imagine truly sophisticated people hanging around an internet message board!

I do believe there are people here who are passionate about travel & in this discussion about Rome in particular. However, sometimes the passion becomes bullying to prove one’s opinion as the only true way to the light! IMO, traveling to a country, becoming knowledgeable about the food, & liking the food does not make one sophisticated, & it also does not make one right versus wrong, and vice versa. That seems like such an obvious social concept that some on here have not been able to grasp. So strange.

I want to say that no one on this board has said or will ever say anything that could disturb my peace of mind. It is only a message board. Some people seem to have a difficult time keeping that into perspective. We are not the ones determining world peace or who lives or dies. As my wonderful Grandmother always said, “If they don’t put their shoes under my bed, then they don’t bother me.”

I'm done for tonight.

Happy travels everyone, Julie

TRSW

Julie,

I find your answer to be very weak. How would it be rude to ask a local in Rome where some of thier favorite places to eat? I would think that they have some favorites that aren't 'local Roman food.

You say that both McDs and Hard Rock were packed with locals, that proves they like other types of food. You could even ask the owner of the next apartment you rent to make recommendations.

Tom

fall06

ST Cirq wrote:

"The VAST majority of people who travel to Rome have NO problem at all with Roman food.."

So what? I'll bet the VAST majority of people who travel to Tuscany have no problem with Tuscan food, but after a week there, I was looking for something else to eat -- and I really like Sicilian and Ligurian food. Roman food is not everybody's cuppa (although I am very fond of a lot of it.)

SeaUrchin

I have no reason to be mean to you, I think you could develope an imaginative way to get around the problem of not liking the food in the city you love. Such as making cole slaw, cooking meats and vegetables and good wholesome food.

I still say write in Italian a list of what he likes to eat, take it with you when you shop and I am sure you will find it, or something close.

When I stay in an apartment in Rome, I have big breakfasts of oatmeal, nuts, raisins, eggs, french toast, ham and eggs, potatoes, whatever, just like at home. I think the locals don't eat like that but so what, I do.

There are many imaginative ways to get around pasta. I know you want to have a wonderful time for you and your husband and your concerns for his meals are thoughtful.

Good luck.

(I am quasi-sophisicated)

Pvoyageuse

St Cirq

Iceberg salad is available in every French supermarket from Auchan to Lerclerc to Casino to Carrefour.

dherron

Julie,
I would gladly take you for a ride.

I think my comments irked a few people but I hope my point was taken. I've seen rude, derogatory comments on so many of the posts, it just seems out of control. I read this thread (thinking just like you about not liking the food) and I guess I had had enough.

BTW, I really don't hang around internet message boards. Just when I'm researching for a trip. Like Sea Urchin, I too, am quasi-sophisticated.

GSteed

Basic problem: A big breakfast, a huge lunch, and not being really hungry at dinner time. Nothing to do but eat again! Any food will taste great after a day of fasting. Skip breakfast and lunch...Any dinner will be memorable.

SeaUrchin

JulieH, I just reread what I wrote and it does seem mean spirited when I didn't mean it that way.

kerouac

Iceberg lettuce has infested most of Europe, because it is another product with a long shelf life. Romaine would come in second, in that category.

Anybody can make a salad dressing that will appeal to certain Americans with just two ingredients -- fresh cream and grenadine.

freeman0819

Fresh cream and grenadine? Really? or is that supposed to be a joke?

amamax2

Julie,

I just want to thank you for starting this thread - I have taken copious notes for our upcoming trip.

We have never been to Italy and are looking forward very much to trying new things there, but also well aware that we are *used* to variety of cuisine over the course of a single week - Mexican, Chinese, Italian, plain, spicy, etc. We've already decided we need to have Mexican several days in a row before we leave San Diego to sustain us over the three weeks!

We have had several friends recently return from Italy and have the same reaction as you - after several weeks the food all seemed the same. It wasn't a question that they didn't *like* the food, or try new things, more that they *missed* the huge variety to be found here and had cravings for food they usually get on a weekly basis.

Even when we go on vacation in the States, one of the first things we do when we get home is head to one of our favorite restaurants for food we missed while gone!

So thank you!!!

suze

We're NOT sophisticated?

dawnnoelm

Julie,

I prefered the food in Florence over Rome. So did the rest of our family. I found eating meat as opposed to pasta on some nights helped.

When we got home - we had mexican, sushi and all sorts of different cuisine. I do understand.

There was a chinese resturant on the street where our apartment was - Via De Grecci (I think - I will verify) and it was always busy - it was over in the Spanish Steps area - you had to walk down the street and it was right in the middle almost - also there was a great english book store on that street (side note- I always run out of books to read on our trips so was thrilled!).

dutyfree

Julie-I am sorry if I offended you but I quess the bottom line on this forum and so many others is"why is where you eat and what you eat sooooooo important when you are traveling?" Its a different country with a different culture so "PUT YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES ON AND DEAL WITH IT"!!!If you don't like Italian food then don't go to Italy repeatedly-find another country that has all of the things you are looking for including the "menus" and visit there.
As for my comment on the wanting the "sugared teas and decaf coffees"-its the crowd who doesn't travel alot and then always expects EVERYTHING to be exactly like the USA when they go there. They complain alot and are very loud about how different and horrible everything is in that country but then are nice enough to tell everyone that they are from the US.
I have never been in the Hard Rock cafe on the Via Veneto other than walking by it all the time to get to my hotel. I have had a ton of passengers who have eaten there comment that there is nothing but Americans and their cheeseburgers and fries. The Hard Rock to me is nothing more than the "sanitized American chain restaurant" that has been put in every country so you can get a T shirt saying that you have been there along with your hamburger!
As for my comment on dining later(7pm when the restaurants usually open in Roma) it was meant to mean that part of the atmosphere and enjoyment of eating in Rome is at night when the candles are lit; you are enjoying your glass of wine with your appetizer and people watching while you sit outside of your restaurant.
The "crappy food" comment by some of my passengers was tongue in cheek as they tell me that they think that Pizza Hut and Live Garden are so much better than anything that you could get in Italy?
Just for the record since you say you are from Indiana-the Chicago Tribune travel section today highlights Roma. The writer of the article says that ROMA is actually AMOR in Italian!

Zerlina

Look, there are dozens of ethnic restaurants in Rome - Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, etc.

You just have to know how to look for them. May I suggest Googling "ristoranti etnici roma"? Yes, the Web sites will be in Italian, but heck, how difficult is it to figure out that Messicani is Mexican,
Thailandesi is Thai, Cinesi is Chinese,
Vietnamesi is Vietnamese and Giapponesi is Japanese?

dutyfree

Make that Olive Garden-fogot to proofread before pushing the button. Julie-I am not a sophisticated traveler(actually quite a dork!) but in 34 years of flying as a flight attendant and having folks who took me traveling all over the US on family vacations when I was younger I have adopted the mindset that its only "for a short time". So whether its a city,hotel or an experience that wasn't what I had hoped for I just go with the flow.I will get off my soapbox and wish you Happy Traveling too!