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Coffee Slushies at Tazza d’Oro
June 11, 2007
Behold. The almighty “Granita di Caffè,” a hallowed tradition around these parts, especially when summer starts to roll around and Rome heats up. I.e., now.
What is the granita di caffè, you ask? Well, they take Tazza d’Oro espresso (rumored to be the best in the city, unless you prefer their bitter rival, Caffè Sant’Eustachio) and basically it somehow becomes this icy, frozen concoction that is just… you must try it. There is NO excuse for anyone coming to Rome and not making a stop here.
It used to cost €1.50 but now it’s up to €2. Hurry!
Did you notice those layers of fresh whipped cream? Have you ever had whipped cream so thick and decadent you could practically chew it? I know that might sound weird, but that’s what this stuff is like. Very indulgent.
This is a major caffeine jolt as well. Suffering from day-one jet lag? Head over to the Pantheon and pick up one of these puppies. Bask in the Roman sunlight over at the fountain and you’ll be just fine.
There’s always, always a line at Tazza d’Oro, but it moves pretty fast. Just to the right of the cash register you can get fresh-roasted coffee beans and ground coffee. They also sell some nice containers to carry it in, and I think these make perfect gifts for coffee lovers. They are easy to pack and not super expensive for being such famous coffee (around €6 for 250 g.)
They are constantly washing and re-washing the coffee cups in the special bar-sized dishwashers. I think if I had to choose a series of sounds to describe Italy, at least one of them would be the sound of these ceramic espresso cups clinking on the saucers.
Once you get your receipt for your granita, you need to go over to the whole other end of the bar. Just turn around, and walk in the other direction as far as you can go without leaving. In fact, you can’t read it here, but that white sign on the wall actually has an arrow telling people where to go for the granite. They are molto popular!
I won’t go so far as to say that the granita di caffè merits a trip to Rome in and of itself, but I will say that for coffee-lovers, it’s a summertime must.
And if you can’t make it to Rome…look what I found! Judy who “slaves” Over a Tuscan Stove has kindly provided us with a recipe. So now there’s no excuse not to try it. Thanks, Judy!
Via degli Orfani 84
(when your back is to the Pantheon, head to the corner on the far right)
Topics: Have a Drink, Do As the Romans Do |
June 12th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Cup of gold, indeed!
I’ll definitely be stopping by here later this month.
June 12th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Did I make a horses ass of myself at the Arrividerci/Buongiorno bar? How come we’ve never gone for granitas? Next time. Even if it’s winter time, cold and rainy. Unless we accidently go out for Italian Hot Chocolate which is also so deliciously chewable. Maybe it warrants a post of it’s own. When it cools off, of course.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:06 am
WOW ! nice new blog !
I’m not much of a coffee drinker but when I read this, I almost want to try this granita
June 12th, 2007 at 10:17 am
I’ve been to Tazza d’Oro last year the coffee is lovely there
I remember being served by this gorgeous lady and for the longest time, I really would like to tell her how pretty she was. Too bad my Italian language is extremely limited.
A year later, my grasp of language is still pretty weak, but I cant wait for this Thurs when I go back to Roma again
June 12th, 2007 at 10:32 am
John: Cup of gold, I know! So funny!
Finny: OMG, we didn’t get one of these? How is that possible? BOH! Next time.
Isabelle: When you get here we will go!!
Marina: You’re coming back? Well then you can say “Lei è molto bella” if you see the lady again.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:40 am
one of my absolute favorite things about rome…the clanking sounds from the bar! glad to know there is another fan!
June 12th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Gillian: Yes, it took me a while to realize, but really, it’s a classic “sound of Italy.”
June 12th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
i always want to go there, but it is always closed when i go
I don’t know what i am doing wrong!
June 12th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Man that looks good. I loved iced coffee - whats not to like about coffee granita!
June 12th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I am going through a major Roma withdrawal. Thanks for the fix.
June 12th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
It looks like out could lean forward and drink that granita. Oh no! Now I need some screen clean…
Love the new look, even more fitting surroundings for a top class blog!
June 12th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
i want a coffee slush too! thanks for sharing the lovely pics, although getting iced coffee is all that i can think of right now, forget about work. lunch break, hurry up! hehe.
btw, congrats on your new blog. love the layout.
June 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Do I need a happy face to show I subscribed? I’ve thought I succeeded…
I’m a luddite when it comes to computers.
June 13th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Digging the new site Shell! Nicely done.
And as for the coffee? I’ll take a double, minus the whipped cream. Yum!
June 13th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Hmm..I thought I commented already. But my remark bears repeating: I’m all over the granita! I cannot wait to try one when I visit next month. My fear is that I will become addicted and suffer severe withdrawal when I go home.
The site looks bellissimo! (a?) Auguri!
June 17th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
So, why is the sign in what looks to be Spanish? “El Mejor Del Mundo”?
June 20th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
That coffee looks sooooooooo good. I can’t WAIT to get to Rome in October. Love your site
June 27th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
[…] cool to drink but also a pick-me-up, you won’t want to miss a Granita di Caffè from Tazza d’Oro near the Pantheon. Shelley isn’t even able to describe the deliciousness beyond saying the coffee […]
January 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
[…] has written about granita and also another related treat, grattachecca, in Rome and Sara can tell you how to make it […]