Sorry it’s been a few too many days since I’ve last posted (thanks Edward for reminding me). But I’m working on a new, exciting food-related project (more to come soon) so my energies have been elsewhere. Also, I had a cold. And the dog ate my paper.
But, don’t worry, I’ve been busy, running around, ‘doing research’. Yesterday, between going to the hairdresser and to a book presentation I managed to eat about 3 dozen cookies. So, today’s post: Cookies. Or, rather, American-style baked stuff in Rome.
The spark for this post is the book I’ve been talking about a lot lately, Biscotti. This jewel of a book is by Mona Talbott and Mirella Misenti. Mona is the executive chef at the Rome Sustainable Food Program at the American Academy and Mirella is the pastry cook. Yesterday they hosted a delicious book presentation for the Friends of the American Academy in Rome (of which I am the chair). They spoke of their approach to biscotti, and how they merged two huge cultural traditions – American and Italian – into these teeny tiny cookies. The talk was fascinating, but the real treat came afterwards, at the book signing, when we got to sample about 15 kinds of biscotti made from the book. While I was blown away by the Palle di Neve (why aren’t mine ever this light and fluffy?) my favorite may have been their take on Fig Newtons. 
There are a couple of ways you too can enjoy these cookies. Buy the book, of course, and make them yourself. But you can actually visit the American Academy, and buy these cookies at their bar. But since this is not a ‘store’, but a private cultural institution, you must first become a Friend of the American Academy (remember? I told you I was the chair). So yes, this is a plug for that as well. If you live in Rome, I hope you consider it. Here’s the link. By becoming a friend you not only support this worthwhile institution, but you can also come for lunch. And eat cookies. (See how everything is all about the cookie).Another reason I had cookies on my mind yesterday was the freshly opened The Perfect Bun: Bakery, Grocery and Deli (Piazza del Paradiso 56). If you live in Rome, and are American, then you already know the location. It is where Josephine’s used to be, near Campo dei Fiori. They’ve taken over her old space (it closed about a year ago). The Perfect Bun also has a restaurant near Piazza Navona that serves up all sorts of American goodies: burgers, burritos and fajitas. And deliciously decadent desserts like cheese cake and brownies. The new outpost is filled with cupcakes, carrot cake, brownies, etc. They also have bagels! Brought in fresh three times a week from a baker on the Cassia, they are for real. They will eventually be offering savory treats as well, like wraps, salads, etc. But for now, this is the place to go for your brownie fix. 
When I walked into the The Perfect Bun, I had a bit of deja vu. Not from it having been Josephine’s (which also specialized in this kind of stuff) but since I knew I had met that carrot cake before. In fact, the new pastry chef at Perfect Bun came straight over from Sweety Rome, where she developed their mouthwatering line of American goodies. It’s very possible that you’ve never been to Sweety Rome. They have a bit of a marketing problem. Kind of stupid name, and strange location off Via Nazionale. But the cakes are to die for. And the cutest cupcakes in town.
And finally, Dolceroma. For years – before this mini flowering of American sweetness in Rome – this was the only place we could head for chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake and bagels.The owner, Stefano, is part of the family that owns Gigetto, next door, and opened up Dolce Roma after he did a stint in Vienna learning the secrets of Sacher torte (which is divine, and maybe the best thing he makes. ) 
Now, I know there are probably a few more places I’m missing. For instance my friend Gillian has tweeted about some places she and her friend Erica go to. In Prati I think? So please comment below, and add your favorite sources for American sweets in Rome (and no, McDonald’s does not count!)
The Perfect Bun: Bakery, Groceries and Deli
Piazza del Paradiso 56
Sweety Rome
Via Milano 48
Dolce Roma
Via Portico D’Ottavio 20B
UPDATE DEC 2012: For a complete and updated list of American style bakeries in Rome download my app, Eat Italy, from iTunes.
I love the cupcakes at Sweety Rome (I agree with you. It’s a terrible name) so I will be checking out the Perfect Bun’s Bakery.
It’s close to my house. This could be a problem as I have a very, very sweet tooth.
I would love a dozen of those bagels. Heck, I’ll take just one!
Bagels! !!!
The place Gillian, Erica and I swear by is Cake and the City (another bad name) which is on Via Orazio, 15 in Prati. Josephine’s ex-partner Valentina Gigli is the pastry chef, and her preparations are worth the struggle to find a parking spot nearby.
I love your blog, I apologize for discovering it so late!
Ok girls (and by girls I mean Gillian, Erica and Eleonora) sounds like a cake stop is in order one of these afternoons.
I’ve been to Cake and the City and the carrot cake is good. Definitely worth the visit. I have a post on my website on this with pictures. http://www.browsingrome.com/rome-travel-guide/cake-and-the-city/3096
Thanks ‘browsing’! But your post didn’t make it sound so great. I know Gillian and Erica like it, did you? hard to tell.
I have to test out Perfect Bun’s cupcakes. Not too convinced by Cake and the City… So far, favorite carrot cake is: Sweety Rome and Dolce Roma.
Not so sure about Carrot Cake at Sweety Rome anymore. The pastry chef left, and is now at Perfect Bun. A recent carrot cake from sweety was just so so. 🙁
Really. I am saddened. I have always liked Dolce Roma’s carrot cake. Thoughts?
The carrot cake at Perfect Bun is great, now being made by Eva, who left Sweety to go to PB
Actually, knowing Sweety Rome almost from the beginning I think that recently the production of the cakes and cupcakes is improved, now there is a little more “innovation” (if I can èut it that way) in the production line, and the taste of the new recipes really makes my mind go wild bite after bite! 🙂
With my comment I absolutely don’t want to say that Eva is a bad pastry chef at all! I loved the production when she was the pastry chef there. But surely the carrot cake from Sweety is perfect (still one of my favourite!) and the new team “behind the scenes” (if they changed it, I don’t know) is making some amazing things!
I Know this is a fairly old article, but if you haven’t tried the new SR production since Eva left, I highly suggest you to give it a try! I’m sure you’ll love it too! 😉
Of course everyone’s taste is different, and like I said I surely don’t want to diminish the work Eva did, but I can assure you (in my humble opinion) that Sweety Rome is really growing fast and the quality is better than ever! 🙂
I’m sorry if my post may sound a little “biased”, but I really fell in love with this bakery, probably the only let down (for them) is the location… Not so visible, so a little too hard to notice…
But for me is perfectly fine, not too “mainstream” so I can enjoy a piece of cake or a delicious cupcake in total relax. 🙂
(BTW nice blog!)
Claudio: I agree, that Sweety is still very good, and didn’t mean to suggest otherwise! I stopped by the other day for a Cheesecake Brownie, and it was excellent! I’ll try the carrot cake again, because maybe the day I tried it they were having an off day. While I’m at it, I may have to try everything else too? Hard work, but someone has to to it.
🙂
hello Elizabeth and everyone
i found this amazing blog yesterday, while desperately googling for “tarte tatin rome” and luckily landed here. i think this is the perfect place for the kind of advice i need: i am literally scrambling to organize a very very short notice jewellery trunk show in Rome, (for next wednesday: the 9th!), from Tuscany. so… short notice, long distance: not the ideal combination!
it’s an afternoon tea party, and … i hate cupcakes. i’d rather go for cucumber sandwiches, scones and tarte Tatin, thank you very much.
but apparently there is very little time left for research, contact, orders (i am doing my homework, but already got a “no can do” as an answer) so… unless i make do with stale cupcakes, i need some advice from someone who can give me some suggestions from experience.
i left Rome a few years ago, and am obviously missing out on all the good things (kudos Elizabeth!) (there are others in Tuscanyshire though… and we are very close to Umbria too).
any help much appreciated!
(Elizabeth, i would be pleased to send you the evite to the trunk show, if you wish, just let me know!)
thank you!
Elizabeth: I highly suggest you the Tiramisù cupcake and the new brownies (caramel and coconut)… You can thank me later hehehe (just kidding, but these new treats are top notch! At least for my tastes).
And surely someone has to do this “hard” work to try out all these new sweet things… 😉