We all had hopes and plans this year. A global pandemic callously crushed them for many. For most of the world, leisure travel has been cancelled indefinitely with borders shut and a range of other restrictions. Even with much of the world slowly coming out of lockdown, sadly so many Italophiles won’t get to Italy this year. We know it’s not the same but businesses across the boot have mobilized to provide the best of Made in Italy to homes across the globe. From interactive cooking classes with local chefs to Italian wine and gourmet food packages delivered to your door, here’s how ..read more

When you’ve had your fill of traditional roman style carbonara and oxtail (coda alla vaccinara), head to one of these outstanding contemporary dining establishments. The city really has taken a more cosmopolitan turn over the last 3-4 years and venues boasting stylish contemporary design coupled with innovative, creative and refreshing menus are on the up. Here are my pics for contemporary dining in Rome. 1) Retrobottega Stylish, creative, sleek and chic. I could go on. Nothing in Rome is as cool as Retrobottega. It’s the concept, the staff, the wine list and oh the food. The menu changes seas ..read more

From pizza al taglio (by the slice) to the classic roman style to the latest installments of the gourmet type, Rome certainly isn’t short of options if you’re looking to feast on pizza. What you should also know is that there are a few ‘rules’ you should stick to when seated at a pizzeria in the eternal city. As I always say – when you’re on holiday, the main rule is, have fun and do what you like, but if you’re more of a ‘do as the Romans do‘ follow these tips and thank me later: 1) Romans have dinner (not lunch) at a pizzeria. There are a few (authentic) places that serve pizza during the da ..read more

A new era is dawning. A new and thrilling chapter for HeartRome. I’m talking radio. Digital radio. I’m talking about broadcasting to the world and I’m taking you with me! I’m so honoured to announce my weekly radio spot – Heart Rome Radio – on Radio Food Live – Italy’s first ever digital radio network dedicated solely to food and the brainchild of my super talented press colleagues Andrea Febo and Luca Sessa. The programming is in Italian with some highlights including: Luca Sessa: “Mangio tutto… però!” Founder, blogger and food journalist critiquing and reviewing restaurants across the countr ..read more

There’s Italy, then there’s Sicily. And there’s Sicily and then there are the Aeolian islands (le isole Eolie). I’ve spent more than 5 summers on the islands and dozens more on the Sicilian ‘mainland’ and I just can’t get enough. The fusion of cultures, the architecture, the people, the landscape, the food. And the desserts. Almonds, pistacchio, ricotta, lemon. I could go on. I’d been to Salina before (hell I almost broke my leg on the island about 8 years ago which led to a full ankle reconstruction and a delay to my move to Italy. But that’s another story!) but only for day trips. With fri ..read more

Lately it gives me great pleasure talking to people – foreigners, visitors, experts, friends – about the roman food scene. You’ve always been able to eat well in this city. But lately it’s taken some turns and with a nod to cities like New York and London, it would seem that Rome is becoming more international than ever. Rooftop bars, quality hotel dining, fusion cuisine, contemporary design fit outs, cutting edge technology and young up and coming chefs. All of this paired with consistent excellence in produce at many roman institutions, and it really makes for a food lovers’ paradise. And I ..read more

Sarajevo – I will leave a piece of my heart here. Its eclectic mix of faiths and cultures can be seen and heard on every corner. While we were in town, it was especially heartwarming to see families of all faiths living in harmony as the end of Ramadan was marked (Eid Mubarak). But I felt such an overwhelming sense of sadness during my time there as I saw first-hand the impact and devastation of the Bosnian War – from a genocide exhibition (showcasing powerful images including this one from the 1993 Miss Sarajevo beauty pageant protest) to the prominent shrapnel holes in buildings. It’s all ..read more

Having travelled quite extensively through southern, western and Mediterranean Europe, this summer my sister and I decided to visit some Eastern European capitals. This part of the world has a rich and fascinating history that spans various wars and political upheaval – the impact of which can be felt today. From art nouveau to Russian cuisine to contemporary Latvian dining and rooftop cocktails. Passionfruit eclairs to colourful buildings to a walk through the central market, this is what a few days in Riga looks like! Boutique hotels like the Grand Poet Semarah Upscale day spas like this one ..read more

You might think the Colosseum area is too touristy for a good meal. But the Celio and even Monti neighbourhoods have a great selection of casual and fine dining eateries and excellent bars – you just need to know where to look for them. Opened late in 2017, I hadn’t had a chance to try Perpetual. But I finally got around to it this week. Together with places like Spazio by Niko Romito, the new kid on the block Zia in Trastevere, it’s one of the latest in the minimalist interiors and modern cuisine places to hit the capital. From the moment you walk in, you can tell this place is different. The ..read more

Here are just some of the ways you could spend an hour in Rome: Lining up to enter St Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican Museums Walking through the lush green of Villa Borghese Shopping along Via del Corso Or… you could simply hop on a fast train and be drinking a coffee straight up in the famous Caffe Mexico, amidst the bustling chaotic beauty that is Napoli. That’s right, in just over an hour, a day in Rome could instead be spent eating your way around the city renowned for pizza. But that’s not all it’s famous for. The first time I visited, I could feel the vibe and energy of the place puls ..read more