Today I am not a tourist but a local. So I think to myself... Where would a local go first thing in the morning? Yes it is too early to talk about Pizza so I start at IL Caffe' Piu' Buono in Campo de Fiori. I order a Cappuccino and a Cornetto (an Italian pastry filled with Chocolate). I sit and watch as the vendors set up for the daily market. It is here the locals go for their daily provisions.

Rome does not have super markets where you would go to purchase your groceries - so no Frozen Pizza Aisles here. The tradition still holds true for the Italians ... You buy only what you need for the day and only what is in the stalls of the market. You can get all your meat from the butcher, your fish from the fisherman, your produce that was just picked yesterday and all types of dried fruits, nuts and spices. It is the spices that I am going crazy for. I fill my tote with bags of spices... there is a spice to add to each and every pasta dish you would ever dream of making.

What really caught my attention were the Pizza spices. I know you can find our Palermo's spice topper in your local super market but I'm impressed with the quality and freshness of these spices. Dried garlic seems to be the major ingredient in each of these Pizza spice mixes and it smells so fresh I can't wait to get it home and experiment. All this shopping at this market makes me hungry for… Yes, you guessed it Pizza.

I heard of a popular Pizzeria in Rome called L'Insalata Ricca so I had to try it. I sat outside listening to the locals talk about Football (which USA calls Soccer) and the tourists talking about the amazing food in Italy. I got lost between these conversations until the waiter came to take my order. The Pizza menu was overwhelming so I decided to try a Rossa Pizza (with Red Sauce) and a Pizza Biancha (with White Sauce). It was too early for the house table wine so I asked for a Diet Coke. The waiter informed me that he will bring me "Coke Light" Senze (no) Calorie and Senza Zuccheri. It arrived warm and no ice. In the future I need to remember to ask for a cold soda and ice - something I take for granted in the States. When the Pizzas arrived I studied them both for a long time - should I rate them or just eat them and enjoy them, I decided to rate them. My Pizza Margherias crust was very thin and crackery. I think it should have been cooked a little longer and I missed the fresh basil. Next was the Pizza with Arugala, plain tasting until I added some oil and fresh parmesan. Overall I prefer a more fermented crust that adds great taste and cell structure to the pizza.

Not quite satisfied I decided to search for more great Italian Gelatto. My search takes me to a neighborhood only locals know about. Great shops, artists’ studios and really old antiques (Via Giulia is the place to shop for antiques not only 200 years old but 1000 years old.) I just follow the local Italians to Frigidari - Gelateria. I think this Gelatto is better than Tre Scalini. In addition to my quest to find the best pizza I will add Gelaterias to my search. My quest has grown from Pizza to Italian shoes to Gelatto. I better get some sleep so I can keep up my strength for shopping and eating.