I’ve moved to Rome almost two years ago, but I spent scarcely six months in the eternal city that still looks quite hostile to me. I like well organized public means of transport, walk and bicycle friendly streets, organic and healthy stores neighbourhood – non of these are to be easily found here. But I’m persisting in my quest. Few are the places that made me a happy new citizen: Farmers Market, Villa Pamphili and Biopolis.
I found the notice in “Roma c’è” magazine published on Wednesdays, available in every edicola (newsstand). It was mentioned only once, at the opening, then no more news. So either you know about it or some friend brings you along. It takes place every Saturday and Sunday, except holidays, at ex-Mattatoio in Testaccio neighbourhood. It’s open from 9 am to 4 pm the first day and until 2 pm the second (no matter what they officially say, you will find an empty hall if you come at 7.30pm). Every time I go, I leave with at least five bags full of beautiful healthy looking vegetables of many varieties that are not present in the supermarkets, and they all come from local organic farms. There are also dairy products, bread, meat and eggs. Not much fruit, unfortunately.
Villa Pamphili is an enormous park on the North of Rome. Even though the most popular city park is Villa Borghese, the one I mention is far more interesting. First of all, it has a magnificent view on hills and trees, it looks wild but bright, it gives you a sense of openness. It’s joggers and children friendly, with a well equipped playground. There are so many things to say about this beautiful place, but what makes me fly there every sunny Sunday is the urban country chic bar-restaurant Vivi-Bistrot, where you can buy your picnic basket with finger licking vegetarian menu, spread your blanket on the close by field and admire the downhill that face the ancient city. You can grab a table and eat in loco or come back for a coffee. The place is colonial style, warm and friendly, and the staff it smiling. I happened to meet a long time friend that I didn’t see for at least 15 years. She was there with her baby boy and moved to Rome just one year ago. What a coincidence.
Not many organic supermarkets close to my house, though there is one rather near if I go by car, it’s called
NaturaSì. This is a franchising, one of the oldest one of that kind in Italy. But new ones are coming, like Biopolis. I found it while I hade to do some bureaucratic stuff at the Register Office in
Via Dire Daua. I cheered up when I realised there is a supermarket of organic food just in front of the office and decided to comfort myself with healthy shopping. I was pleased with it’s inviting bright design. Though it has almost the same repertoire as the competitor, it seems to me that the prices are slightly lower. I got back several times since the first day even if it’s
not that close. Worth a visit.
