A week plus of Italian cooking has been great and all, but I was really craving a good burger today. Full blame goes to Tony Bourdain and his new book "Medium Raw", which I would highly recommend to anyone remotely interested in food.
First day in Rome and found that my hotel's wireless Internet is out of service for a week, doh. Asking the staff for directions to a good cafe or burger joint with wireless proved futile. While walking around the streets, past numerous designer boutiques and ancient fountains, I see a police officer. If anybody would know where to find a burger, it must be him.
How wrong I was. The spiffily uniformed officer held up his finger, and in one swift motion, turned his back to me and pulled out his walkie-talkie device. I could barely hear him laughingly mutter something into it, and he quickly turned back to me while blurting out "no, sorry". As I thanked him and walked away, I could hear his colleagues laughing from numerous locations through the device. Silly Americans and their hamburgers, Ha-ha-ha.
I ended up finding a burger on the menu of a glitzy "tea room", Babbington's at the Spanish steps. The various foofy rich Russian and British clientele in their suits and jewels were obviously offended by my blue jeans, boots, tattoos and piercings. Oh well, I put on my blinders and continued with my mission.
The burger was made of 100% Chianina big white Italian ground cow meat, which by now I am extremely familiar with. Perfect medium rare, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and dijon mustard. The lettuce, tomato and pickle garnishes on the side were completely unnecessary. All that was missing was a cold beer. I swear the extremely well dressed older lady at the next table gasped when I asked what kind of beer they had.
I feel kind of weird saying this, but it was one of the better burgers I've had, anywhere. Plus, it was HUGE. I couldn't finish it...and in the past I've packed down more than a few burgers in a sitting (once or twice).
Sadly, I left my camera battery in the charger back at the hotel, so no graphic food porn shots this time. Though if you ever find yourself homesick in Rome, the burger at Babbington's will definitely hold you over for a bit.
