Rome By Night

The old saying "When in Rome do as the Roman's do" is good advice. Rome is such a lovely place to stroll and the Romans are out in numbers to enjoy the summer nights.

One place to experience this local nightlife is at Piazza del Popolo, once Rome's northern gate. Every night crowds of Italians stroll and shop, with their teenagers working hard to be cool as they wander about the piazza. 

The obvious destination from there is Piazza di Spagna, which is full of people day and night with its piazza and its famous steps - which attracted Goethe, Joyce, Byron, Shelley and Keats. Piazza di Spagna is largely its own enclosed universe, which feels even more insular at night, with a vertical exit signaled by the illuminated Fountain of the Barcaccia, a fanciful fishy barge, up the Spanish Steps to a glowing obelisk in front of the double towers of the church of the Trinità dei Monti. 

For a more literal sense of the Roman night as theater, go south to the Trevi Fountain. This is one place that cannot be missed as art, spectacle and cultural icon. In front of your eyes Oceanus stands gleaming mightily as he tames the waters, a metaphor for the great feat of the aqueducts that brought water to the city. But inside many minds, no doubt, runs the famous night scene in Fellini's "Dolce Vita" of Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni stepping into the fountain. A dip, though, even if you look as great as they did, will land you in trouble, no matter how hot it is. 

There is much to do at night, with perhaps the most spectacular activity being the most costly.

For 250 euros (about $400 at $1.60 to the euro) you can visit the Vatican Museum in small groups led by personal guides after hours. Galleries packed to a slow shuffle by day are, at night, emptied like drawing rooms of dreams. The Sistine Chapel is shared by as few as a dozen others, and no one yells if you take a picture. It's the time to go because unlike the daytime tours, You'll have it all to yourself.

Somehow the world's most famous chapel plays its part in defining the contrasts of Rome that are sharpest at night: the ceiling is Creation, and so newborn light and hope; the Last Judgment on the wall, torment and death.

If the price for a private tour too steep - a free stroll around St. Peter's Square is altogether different on a summer night. By day, the piazza is hot and clogged with long lines for the free look at St. Peter's Basilica. By night, the cobblestones of Via della Conciliazione, stretching to Bernini's colonnade and Michelangelo's dome and the obelisk dragged to Rome by the emperor Caligula, are all quiet, empty, luminous. 

You can even check if Pope Benedict XVI is awake by looking for lights from his bedroom in the two top right windows facing the square in the Apostolic Palace, and contemplate what a shame it is that the Vatican has abandoned its most dramatic nighttime spectacle: for years on Easter, the complex was lighted with thousands of small paper lanterns, to apparently spectacular effect. 

The setting may not be as showy, but a nighttime visit to the Janiculum Hill is no less magical. It is the most spectacular view of Rome - an organic and unimaginably wide panorama from the bright marble of the Vittoriano monument at Piazza Venezia to the dome of the Pantheon to the big bronze angel watching over Castel Sant'Angelo. 

Though many restaurants and shops close in the summer, especially in August, the city makes up for it by opening many famous sites for concerts, movies and the like. Among the best is Castel Sant'Angelo, the stout half-barrel near the Tiber, built as the Emperor Hadrian's tomb, then in the Middle Ages transformed into a castle conveniently close to St. Peter's (via a hidden passageway in the Vatican walls) when troubled popes needed refuge.

Castel Sant'Angelo normally closes in early evening, but in the summer, it is opened for concerts, readings and late-night dining. A temporary beach, with actual sand, is laid down next door. The view from the top including a terrace designed by Michelangelo, is stunning, with the Vatican's dome on one side, all of Rome's center on the other and the river below.

Carlino's Restaurant is the perfect place to socialize and dine on exceptionally prepared meals with professional service. 

So relax, indulge yourself and let Carlino's make you the sumptuous Italian feast you've been craving.

Sincerely,

Carlo and Wali
Carlino's Restaurant
 204 Jericho Turnpike
Mineola, NY 11501-1701
Phone: 516-747-6616

When in Rome Find the Hidden Treasures

Spotlight On Rome's Hidden Treasures

It has been said that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and so it stands to reason that you can’t see and do everything in this amazing city during your 8 days. You know by now that the Colosseum, Roman Forum, St. Peters, the Vatican and the Pantheon are must-see items.

And yet, there are treasures a bit off the beaten path that are worth a look. You want lasting impressions? Visit the church of Sant' Ignazio di Loyola, the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the church of San Luigi dei Francesi.　

Sant' Ignazio di Loyola is located in the city center off of Via del Corso and not far from Piazza Venezia.　Enter the church and view its impressive dome located near the front altar.　Take a few steps forward.　Guess what? The dome is an optical illusion painted on a flat wooden surface. Visitors often enjoy shifting positions in the church to understand at what point the dome begins to appear flat.

San Luigi di Francesi is located in the city center near Piazza Navona.　It is the French national church that was built in the 1500s and is the home of three famous Caravaggio paintings: the Calling of St. Matthew," "The Martyrdom of St. Matthew" and "St. Matthew and the Angel."

Santa Maria degli Angeli is located in Piazza Reppublica, which may be reached with Metro A. A fellow by the name of Michelangelo planned out this church along the ruins of the ancient Roman baths of Diocletian.　

The beautiful thing? These sites are free.

Spotlight on Rome is published each Tuesday by Carlino's Restaurant.  Visit us at http://www.carlinosrestaurant.com.  © 2011 All Rights Reserved.

Carlino’s Restaurant Italian Handmade Sausage Recipe

Carlino’s Italian Sausage (Made Fresh Every Day)

1)    Ingredients

i)     1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed

ii)    2 teaspoons salt   1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

iii)   1/2 cup red wine
iv)  1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves

v)    2 pounds pork (2 1/2 pounds with bone), diced into 1/4-inch pieces

vi)  5 feet of 36 millimeter collagen casings (do not allow to get wet at any time)

vii) Shortening, to lubricate nozzle of stuffer

viii)        Special equipment: meat grinder with stuffing attachment or manual stuffer

2)    Directions

i)     Toast fennel seed about 5 minutes in medium sized, heavy sauté pan over medium heat

ii)    Constantly move fennel seeds around in pan until they start to turn light brown,

iii)   Set aside to cool.

iv)  Once cool, grind seeds and combine with salt, pepper, wine and chopped parsley in medium mixing bowl.

v)    Add pork and blend thoroughly.

vi)  Refrigerate for 1 hour.

vii) Grind the pork using the fine blade of the grinder.

viii)        Lubricating stuffer and stuffing attachment with shortening,

ix)  Load casing onto attachment, clipping end with a clothespin.

x)    Stuff meat into casings, trying to avoid air pockets.

xi)  After stuffing is finished lay out on counter and tie off end.

xii) Pinch and twist to form 4-inch sausages.

xiii)        Wrap in parchment paper and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

3)    To Cook:

i)     Sauté over medium heat in a heavy saute pan with 1/4-inch of water.

ii)    Bring water to boil, put on lid and cook for 10 minutes.

iii)   Remove lid and continue cooking over medium heat, turning every 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown.

iv)    Sausage should reach an internal temperature of 150 to 156 degrees F

Carlino's Restaurant creates its handmade Italian sausages daily using this family recipe passed down through the centuries.  Please visit us at 204 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, NY to try Carlino's mouth watering sausages for yourself.

Visit us on the web at http://www.carlinosrestaurant.com/ for more information on Carlino's Restaurant.

The Sistine Chapel Tour

What do you think of when you hear the word “Rome”? Chances are the word evokes images of history - the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican. When you win this opportunity of a lifetime, and decide what to see, near the top of the list no doubt will be the vaunted “Sistine Chapel.”

You may want to spend an afternoon here and imagine what it was like when Michelangelo worked here.

  

Key things to remember: the Sistine Chapel is at the end of a series of Vatican Museums that you must first go through in order to reach the Chapel.

The recommendation: Set aside no less than 90 minutes to see the Chapel. Since it is at the end of the museums, getting to the Chapel and going back to the exit takes time. On top of that, you must budget time for viewing the Chapel.

  

Entrance on the last Sunday of each month is free, but you can count on spending a decent amount of money on any other day.

Wear proper attire for your visit: shorts, miniskirts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. This is a very important point to keep in mind, as they will refuse entry to those not dressed properly.

  

The drawing for the Romantic Trip to Rome for Two is only 10 weeks away.  Remember that each time you dine at Carlino's restaurant, you'll have another opportunity to win.  So please come and join us often. Who knows, you may be the lucky winner on your way to Italy!

 

Warmest regards,

Carlo Corteo
http://www.carlinosrestaurant.com/

Spotlight on Vatican City

Vatican City
The excitement is palpable today as we take a stroll through the Via della Conciliazione,  the route to Vatican City, a place like none other in the world.  Men and women, young children, middle aged and in their golden years,  pilgrimage here to experience the deep rooted spiritual connection common to those who have come before to bask in the glory.

Nothing demonstrates the profound spirituality of Christianity today more than this holy land that sits on top of a walled enclave of 110 acre within the city of Rome. 

Vatican City, established in 1929, is the sovereign territory of the Holy See and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican is also home to St. Peter's Basilica, the indescribable majesty of the Sistine Chapel, and the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums.  The territory which includes St. Peter's Square is reached through the Via della Conciliazione which runs from close to the Tiber River to St. Peter's.

The medieval Gardens, established during the Renaissance and Baroque era, are decorated with fountains and sculptures and account for more than half of Vatican’s territory. The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from Egypt to decorate his circus and is its last visible remnant. The Gardens became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. Ancient tradition holds that it was in this circus that Saint Peter was crucified upside-down.

 In 326, the first church, the Constantinian basilica, was built over the site that was the tomb of Saint Peter.  The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany.  The Pope resides in the Papal Apartments of the Papal Palace overlooking Saint Peter's Square.

Trevi Fountain

Spotlight on

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is Rome’s largest Baroque fountain and the most famous fountain in the world.

The Fountain gets its name from being located at the junction of three roads (tre vie) and marks the end point of aqueducts which supplied water to ancient Rome.

The fountain’s sculptures represent two main stories. Taming of the Waters depicts water mixing with rock that fills the small square. Tritons guide a shell chariot, taming mythological sea horses. Urns spill water into a cup from which a snake drinks.  Above all this, sculptures illustrate the origin of Rome’s aqueducts.

Legend says that a visitor who throws a coin into the fountain is ensured a return to Rome. Another legend states that luck will follow anyone who throws three coins into the Trevi Fountain with their right hand over their left shoulder. Based on these legends, visitors throw about 3,000 Euros each day into the fountain which is used to fund food for poor citizens of Rome.