With spring around the corner, let's dream of traveling to Italy. My first morning in Milan fourteen years ago, I found myself at a charming packed coffee bar where I timidly ordered a latte. The gentleman delivered a hot glass of milk to my table! I quickly learned the Italian word for milk, and I never made that rookie mistake again.
When in Rome you will want to savor the world's finest coffee (well, outside Bali's Kopi Luwak, but that's a future blog). There is no shortage of sampling locations with a "bar" on at least every corner. Vatican City controls the real estate beyond St. Peter's Square and there were mixed opinions when McDonald's opened a location on nearby via Borgo Pio in December 2016. However, the espresso is excellent the seating ample with local delicious bakery as good as my other two favorite locations with deep Roman roots and completely different atmospheres.
Castroni's is a vibrant grocery store at via Ottaviano 55, with a terrific coffee bar serving their own fresh roasted beans. I refresh alongside the many locals with a quick cuppa before shopping for food souvenirs such as their prepackaged spices, pasta, risotto, 000 flour, coffee beans and my JUMBO coffee mug above. These mugs are typically displayed in bars throughout Italy for storing various coffee sweeteners. I had to have one - to go!
For a more private, local coffee bar experience, walk one block off St. Peter's Square to Wine Bar De Penitenzieri via de Penitenzieri 16, for the very best espresso in Rome. They also serve wine and great food, but the morning brew will continue to draw you back.
Here is their link: https://www.winebardepenitenzieri.it
