Rome Day 2

This morning we are off with Gianluca to the wonderful Borghese Gallery.  

The Borghese was a wonderful experience helped in large part by the civilized limited access policy.  Only 200 visitors at a time are allowed and then for only 2 hours  Reservations are required for the five daily two hour blocks... 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.  The Borghese also has a no photo policy with which I complied.  We spent our full 2 hour allotment and enjoyed the museum's wonderful collection of paintings and sculptures by Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio and Canova.

From the Borghese we headed over to take in the marvels of the Colosseum, which had recently completed an exterior cleaning and looked stunning.

Unlike The Borghese, crowds here were awful.  Although with prereserved tickets, it only took us 10 minutes to access, instead of the hours wait for those without reservations. 

This guy had just proposed and she accepted... to applause from those nearby.

I still marvel at the amazing advanced design and construction from over 2,000 years ago.

Back outside as the New Years Eve Marathon passes by the Colosseum.  

As we head off to our 3pm lunch reservation at Roscioli thru insane traffic and hordes of New Years Eve visitors.   

Located down a narrow street, Roscioli is a multi-generation family owned combination deli, restaurant and wine bar.  Mrs. SFO777 picked this as she read that it was Mario Batali's favorite Rome lunch resto.  The Roscioli website claims 300 types of cheese, 150 varieties of cold cuts, 2,800 wine labels, and a wide selection of preserves, sauces, mustards, canned foods, pastas, oils, and vinegars – not only Italian – for takeout or to enjoy seated at the tables of the Ristorante.  Great atmosphere.  

Our vino and cheese plate starter were fabulous.

But the rest of the meal was a meh.

Average meat balls.

Way overcooked and underseasoned veggies.

My carbonara looked great but was disappointingly tasteless, almost like someone forgot the cheese.

Uber was our friend this afternoon and our Uber Black arrived within 5 minutes, and dropped us off close to Via Condotti for a little shopping.

And then back up the Spanish Steps to The Hassler.

Later that evening, we headed over to nearby Ristorante Life for New Years Eve dinner.   Nice atmosphere in a variety of rooms with great food and wine.