To answer an oft-asked question: yes, I do get sick of eating Italian food every night. At home I mix things up a lot, cooking Asian, Indian and Thai food quite a bit. I don’t blog about that stuff, though, since this is an Italian blog (at least in theory) and people (you) have come to expect a certain level of Italianess, especially when it comes to recipes.
And also, there are a lot of resources out there that cover those kinds of things much better than I do.
My other option for pasta fatigue is to go to one of the ethnic restaurants in town. Lately there has been a flood of Chinese and Japanese restaurants. And for some reason Monti has become Indian restaurant central in Rome. (a sixth one just opened)
One of my favorites, though, has been around quite a while: Toros y Tapas. A Spanish restaurant on the Nomentana, they do just a few things, but they do them well.
First of all: jamon. I know, we’ve got prosciutto here. But jamon from Spain is just a completely different animal. Much sweeter and with a chewiness that our prosciutto just doesn’t have. We always start with a plate of that.
Then it’s on to the tapas part of things. Patatas brava is always good, and lately we’ve loved a chickpea and spinach thing they do. The sizzling terracotta dish full of gambas is garlicky goodness at its best.
The main event is, of course, paella. Depending on who we are with, we either get the seafood version or the one with chorizio. Both are done just right.
I”m sure if I lived in Spain I’d be craving pizza and pasta. But as long as I’m here in Rome paella manages to satisfy my ‘exotic’ cravings quite well, thank you. 
Patatas bravas
Spinach and Chickpea Tapas
Gambas with garlic
Paella with Chorzio
Seafood Paella
Toros y Tapas
Via Nomentana 79
Rome
0644290351
Open for dinner. Closed Monday
I was just in London for 8 nights and craved a good pub fish and chips, that I never ended up getting. Instead we had Tapas 2 nights, then Lebanese, Indian, Polish and French ..but the best meal the entire time? Italian at Orsini’s.
We will be in Rome for 2 weeks very soon, and I already have all my restaurants lined up. And because I’m not as fortunate as you are, they are all Italian 😉
Deb, we were in London last October and I know what you mean about craving good fish & chips…ended up in Covent Garden at Rock and Sole Plaice, pretty good, but the best were in Canterbury! We have been to Orsini’s a number of times, great location, across from the V & A, the food is pretty darned good! The first time we were there we just loved the whole “Italian” thing, staff mostly speaking Italian, great, especially as we were headed to Rome in a couple of days! What did you think of the little bathroom at the bottom of the stairs? Here’s a link to the “research” we did on fish & chips. http://oracibo.com/4597/fish-n-chips-london/
I am always game for hearing all of your suggestions and recipes, Italian or no. I read here because I admire your fine taste–and that applies to many things!
I love Italian food but not every day. I’ve been to Italy twice and I must say I had trouble finding non Italian restaurants. I’m glad to two that, in Rome, there many popping up. I did spot a Mexican restaurant the time I visited and don’t remember seeing anything else. In Florence I found a Chinese and an American restaurant. Next time I make it to Rome, I will looking forward to some variety in food. Just the same, I love, love, love Italy and can’t wait to visit again.
Oh my goodness, how did I not know about this restaurant?!! Thank you so much! I love Spanish food, I ate the spinach and chickpea tapas for the first time in Seville last year and can’t wait to try it again. Will try to go next week. You don’t know if there’s anywhere that sells chorizo in Rome do you? I have a great recipe for a chorizo and butter bean stew and I’ve tried with Neopolitan spicy sausage but it’s just not quite the same. And as someone who grew up with Indian food, can I recommend Indian Fast Food, cheap and not so cheerful, plastic plates and cutlery, but great food. Thanks again!