Sepia, Sienna, Ochre, Umber ... Via del Governo Vecchio

Via del Governo Vecchio

Facing South, at the Southern end of Piazza Navona hang a right and go West on Via di Pasquino, you'll make a soft right and end up in Piazza Pasquino (where you will see the restaurant Enoteca Cul de Sac on the previous post, on your left.) Continuing on you will end up on this very old and very charming street (Vecchio actually means "old" if I have that right.)

Like most charming streets in Rome, there is plenty of Gelato and food to be found. On Via del Governo Vecchio there are not only some very old and very beautiful buildings but as an added bonus, some fun fabulous vintage shops, as well. I found an adorable vintage leather handbag from the 1940s but talked myself out of it because frankly my luggage was heavy enough and how many handbags does a girl need? O.K., that was a rhetorical question.

More importantly, the colors on this street, like so many in Italy make me want to drag out my oil paints and natural pigments and go to town. I find them so inspiring. I see why everyone went nuts with the whole "faux finishing" thing (I did ... almost every room.) It just never looks quite the same as on the side of an old Italian building. Yet another reason to move to Italy!

The Perfect Lunch

OK, so around the corner from Piazza Navona, in Piazza Pasquino which butts up to Via del Governo Vecchio is Enoteca Cul de Sac. Let me tell you ... the ravioli was magical! A very nice italian lady at the next table was having it and had pointed to it with her fork, and nodding to her dining companion said, "Fantastico." She saw me checking it out and she actually offered me a bite! (See? Love the Italians!) It was some sort of meat and vegetable. No idea but she was right, fantastico.

We had some steamed veggies served with goat cheese and a very crisp delicious salad, as well. Their wine list is extensive and I got this inexpensive glass (see photo on bottom) of wine that I swear, along with the Ravioli put me in a state of bliss. For a glass of wine that fabulous in L.A. I might have to fork over 15 bucks, by the way!

I rarely post pictures of myself but I think the look on my face says it all. Loving life. Plus, I love that t-shirt and I thought it was funny when my mom commented how cute it was and my dad agreed (sort of.)

"Yeah, cute ... like a gondolier."

Hmm.

Maybe it was the day ... the atmosphere ... or just being in Rome ... but it felt like the perfect lunch.