Roma, Italy

If you’re lucky enough to have visited the romantic city of Rome, you’ve probably wandered the streets and passed hundreds of restaurants which are difficult to distinguish. Here are 3 of my favorites from our trip in August which are slightly off the tourist trail, but close enough to still be convenient during your next Roman holiday-tion.

Eat / Drink

Aroma

We passed by Aroma on our way to the Spanish Steps. We casually stopped to ask for directions and the owner coerced us to come back for lunch. Good thing we did, because it was a delicious!

Via della Mercede, 32

Cul de Sac

Right around the corner from Piazza Navora is the cute, non-touristy Cul de Sac serving Italian style tapas, delectable home-made pastas, and 1,500 different wines. On our 5-day visit to Rome, we ate here twice!

Piazza di Pasquino, 73

http://www.enotecaculdesac.com/

Grano

I choose Grano as my number 3 because it is on a secluded corner and has a lovely candle-lit terrace where you can dine al fresco in the summer. The menu is a mix of traditional and modern and the bread basket is one of the best I've had!

Piazza Rondanini, 53

http://www.ristorantegrano.it/

Huge congratulations to my brother and his fiancee who got engaged during our Holiday-tion! We are so happy for you and can't wait to celebrate this summer.

Holiday-tion style tip

• When in Rome...maybe I was inspired by the location or maybe I'm just obsessed with the gladiator trend but I stocked up on Steve Madden bronze sandals and beaded dresses from my favorite home-town boutique, Knuth's. Landerwood Plaza, 30619 Pinetree Rd, Pepper Pike, OH 44124 / 216.831.1116

Holiday-tion lit pick

• Jamie Oliver's Summer/Fall magazine. If this guy can teach ME to cook...it's worth a read. jamieoliver.com/magazine

Up next: Christmas in Cheshire, England!