661392 Wed Oct 21 21:54:36 -0700 2009 4 58 Italy 0 5121814 I have to admit my tastes run much more Francophile but I have just arrived in Rome and I am determined to give in a new try (last time I was here I was resigned to Le Pain Quotidien!) My tastes in pastries run more toward chocolate and fruit, not much for custard cream nut concoctions Bakeries, not much for ciabatta and other "white bread" prefer au levain or something more interesting Thanks! Wed Oct 21 21:54:36 -0700 2009 1118224 frank10b 1 5121936 As a pasticceria try "Cristalli di Zucchero". As a bakery I love Roscioli's bakery part (ask for pane Lariano for sourdough but also ask for tozzetti - which in this case are not sweet but little sandwich roll-like breads - or the baguette with kamut) and also the breads of Pizzarium. Thu Oct 22 00:08:00 -0700 2009 5121814 1098786 vinoroma 2 5122404 Panella - l'Arte del Pane is a good place to try for bread, pastries, foccaccia, and chocolate. It's on Via Merulana 54-55 at the corner of Largo Leopardi (a short walk from Santa Maria Maggiore, Thu Oct 22 07:37:21 -0700 2009 5121936 12044 CJT 1 5124499 Boy, few things are more antipatico than some francophile coming down here and badmouthing our bread. The Romans have been baking delicious chewy bread for millennia. Roscioli, already mentioned, is as good a place as any to start. Pannella, also mentioned, should also satisfy for both bread and pasticceria. While you're there have a piece of pizza bianca with mortadella. It's getting to be chestnut season, so try Giuliani, at via Paolo Emilio 67 (Prati), for marrons glacés. Also Moriondo & Gariglio, the chocolatier. Forget your French preferences for a bit and roll with the Roman style. Go to the no-name bakery in the Ghetto for torta di ricotta. Thu Oct 22 23:11:19 -0700 2009 5121814 83777 mbfant 2 5128958 Thanks for the tips, guys. I am going to head out this afternoon to try them...and with a completely open mind! I will even allow that I find Rome more beautiful than Paris, such a different style of course, but more to my (visual if not gustatory) taste. ;) Sun Oct 25 04:26:52 -0700 2009 5124499 1118224 frank10b