To show my parents what I feel is one of the best examples of St. Louis style pizza, I took them them to Faraci Pizza the other night, and we got into a discussion about how I believe that pizza is in part responsible for the fact that I was so well read as a child. This, I feel, is due to a program called "Book It!".
Book It! is a Pizza Hut sponsored program, which offers free personal pan pizzas as a reward for reaching the classroom's reading goal. I don't remember how many books we had to read, but I do remember that I read the King James Bible straight through, the entire science fiction section at my local city library, and countless works by Milton, Dante, Shakespeare....and Dr. Seuss. When you would look at my classroom's Book It! chart at the beginning of the year, you might see one or two gold stars next to each student....and then a year's worth of gold stars next to the name "Joshua Pyles". I remember being so disappointed when I maxed out the number of free pizzas for the year, but it didn't stop me from reading even more. Because when something becomes a habit and a hobby, it isn't easy to let it go.
So, thanks Book It!! You get a gold star from me.
Sunday, January 4
When In Rome...
It's easy to be disappointed with the food in Rome. Everywhere you look, you are bombarded with signs for "Pizza!", "Hamburgers!", and "Coca-Cola!!!!!". In one of the quintessential Italian cities, it is often hard to find authentic Italian cuisine. Now, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but you have to look a little bit harder.
In addition to hosting one of my favorite gelaterias in the world, the eternal city does have some interesting varieties of authentic, old world pizzas. My personal favorite is at Pizzeria da Baffeto, a traditional Lazio style pizzeria, which makes a mean Pizza Margherita. The pizza here is thin, and crispy, but you might have to wait a while to get it. The pizzeria is right around the corner from Piazza Navona, and has very limited seating, so it is bustling.
What I really miss in Italian restaurants is the sense of community and connection you get when you go out by yourself and they seat you with strangers. At Baffeto's, I had a good time hanging out with a couple from Madrid and a retired man from Germany. We talked about wine, pizza, and our travels, and I came away feeling like my sense of the world was expanded just a bit. To me, that is such a part of what the experience of pizza, and food in general, can be. It's not just a bunch of ingredients on a pan.
I, unfortunately, didn't take photos of this pizzeria or the pizza this time, but if you are ever in the area, check it out!
Pizzeria da Baffeto
Via del Governo Vecchio 114
Roma
06-6861617
Daily 6:30 PM - 1:30 AM
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