ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1028

Supermarkets near the Pantheon: Food is relatively cheap at Italian supermarkets. Su-
per Market Carrefour Express is a convenient place for groceries a block from the Gesù
Church(Mon-Sat8:00-21:00,Sun9:00-19:30,50yardsoffViadelPlebiscitoatViadelGesù
59). Another place, Supermercato Despar, is half a block from the Pantheon toward Piazza
Navona (daily 8:30-22:00, Via Giustiniani 18).
Gelato Close to the Pantheon
(See “Restaurants in the Pantheon Neighborhood” map, here . )
Three fine gelaterie and bars specializing in fresh-fruit smoothies are within a five-minute
walk of the Pantheon.
Gelateria Caffè Pasticceria Giolitti, Rome's most famous and venerable ice-cream
joint, has reasonable take-away prices and elegant Old World seating (daily 7:00-24:00, just
offPiazzaColonnaandPiazzaMonteCitorioatViaUfficidelVicario40,tel.[phone]).
Crèmeria Monteforte is known for its traditional, quality gelato and super-creamy
sorbets (cremolati). Thefruitflavorsareespeciallyrefreshing—thinkgourmetslushies(Tue-
Sun 10:00-24:00, off-season closes earlier, closed Mon and Dec-Jan, faces the west side of
the Pantheon at Via della Rotonda 22, tel. [phone]).
Gelateria San Crispino serves small portions of particularly tasty gourmet gelato using
creative ingredients. Because of their commitment to natural ingredients, the colors are
muted; gelato purists consider bright colors a sign of unnatural chemicals, used to attract
children. They serve cups, but no cones (daily 12:00-24:00, a block in front of the Pantheon
on Piazza della Maddalena, tel. [phone]).
BarPascucci isaholeinthewallthat'sbeenmakingrefreshingfruit frullati andfrappés
(like smoothies and shakes) for more than 75 years. Add a sandwich or fruit salad to make
a healthy light meal (Mon-Sat 6:00-23:00, closed Sun, near Largo Argentina at Via di Torre
Argentina 20, tel. [phone]).
In North Rome: Near the Ara Pacis and Spanish Steps
To locate these restaurants, see the map on here .
Ristorante il Gabriello is inviting and small—modern under medieval arches—and
provides a peaceful and local-feeling respite from all the top-end fashion shops in the area.
Claudio serves with charisma, while his brother Gabriello cooks creative Roman cuisine us-
ing fresh, organic products from his wife's farm. Italians normally just trust their waiter and
say, “Bring it on.” Tourists are understandably more cautious, but you can be trusting here.
Simply close your eyes and point to anything on the menu. Or invest €45 in “Claudio's Ex-
travaganza”(notincludingwine),andhe'llshoweryouwithediblekindness.Specifywheth-
eryou'dpreferfish,meat,orboth.(Romansthinkrawshellfishistheultimateinfinedining.
If you differ, make that clear.) When finished, I stand up, hold my belly, and say, “Ahhh, la