Trattoria di Monti

Before setting off for the gym, we had breakfast and directed our guests toward the Vatican. A short while later, Josh received a text from Brad, stating that the power had gone out at the Vatican Museums, and no one was being let in. They ended up waiting in line for an hour and half before things were restored to normal and visitors were allowed to enter. The only good news was that at least it wasn't raining.

After I returned from the gym, I had a quiet afternoon. I had lunch, relaxed, and read a book, and even had a brief nap before going to pick up the kids from school.

Morris came over to babysit tonight so we could go out to dinner. We'd been meaning to try a restaurant -- called Trattoria Monti -- on the "10 best list" located off the tourist path in Esquilino. But first, we had an apertivo of prosecco, and an antipasti of fried zucchini flowers a casa. The restaurant serves primarily Marchegiano food -- from the Le Marche region of Italy. We tried a couple of the Le Marche wines and I was unimpressed. My tortelli (on enormous ravioli filled with egg and spinach) was tasty, but my secondi of fried lamb chops was really horrible. Unfortunately, it seems I just made a bad order since everyone else's food was very good.

Also unfortunate, was that it was pouring rain by the time we'd finished our dinner. It had been raining on and off for most of the afternoon, and didn't make for good "touring Rome" weather. Still, we did a brief car tour up past the Quirinale, and then up the Lungotevere and past the Castel Sant'Angelo and and the Ara Pacis. We're hoping for at least a partially dry day tomorrow.