This post is very short. And very sweet. It’s all about a very tiny shot of heaven called Affogato di Zabaione.
The literal translation of affogato is drowned, in English. But of course my preferred use of the term is food related. Affogato is when you drown your scoop of gelato in coffee. And in this case the gelato in question is zabaione flavored.
You’d think that a shot of coffee with a scoop of gelato would be pretty easy to find in Italy, but it’s not. Most gelaterie don’t serve coffee, and most coffee bars don’t serve gelato. So to find the two together is sort of like the search for the holy grail.
Don’t worry. I’ve done the ground work for you.
After you’ve visited the Pantheon and Piazza Navona (because you’re going to be doing that if you are going to Rome, right?) head down the street to Fiocco di Neve. Now, here’s the hard part (are you listening?): don’t be distracted by the big display of about 20 flavors of gelato in the refrigerated case when you walk in. Stay strong. Keep going and head to the back of the small shop, to the coffee counter.
Ask for an Affogato di Zabaione. You will then be asked if you’d like piccolo (small) , media (medium) or grande (large). From personal experience I always order small, but instantly regret not having ordered a large, or at least a medium.Â
The rest is as you’d expect. Pure heaven. Although you can have an Affogato with any flavor of gelato, the Zabaione at Fiocco di Neve is the only way to go for many reasons. First of all it’s extremely creamy and rich, and stands up to the bitterness of the coffee. Also? It’s packed full of true Marsala wine. In other words, it’s really boozy, in a very good way. The combination of booze, cream, sweet and bitter will make you cry.
Also? If you did what I did, and ordered a piccolo? I’m pretty sure that means that you can walk right back inside and order another one.
Fiocco di Neve
Via del Pantheon 51
Daily 10-10. (open till midnight on Saturday)
For more information on dining in Rome and Italy download my app, EAT ITALY. EAT ITALY is a free app, and contains guides to Venice, Milan, Rome, Florence, Torino and Puglia (and an ever expanding list of regions and cities) available as in-app purchases for both iPhone and iPad.
And if you’re coming to Rome you might enjoy my book Eating Rome: Living the Good Life in the Eternal City.
OMG! I’m headed for the airport right NOW!
Perfection!
On my list for next week!!
Be careful. It’s addictive.
Is it like egg nog gelato?
Yes, more or less.
You remind me of this now that I’m back at the gym? I’m probably still working it off:)
That will take a while!!!!
I need to remember this for March!
Don’t worry, we will be stopping by on our tour!!
What is the ratio of Espresso to Gelato?
p.s. – love your posts – you bring a lot of joy to peoples lives!
That depends on the size! The small is a perfect shot of espresso with one small scoop of gelato (about 3 tablespoons worth). The medium and large go up from there, but the coffee amount remains the same. PS Grazie!
Whenever I go to Rome next, I’ll have to go to this place! the affogato di Zabaione sounds absolutely amazing! Great advice for the size! Thanks for posting about this sweet treat!
They have new owners now, who put two young girls on duty. You now just get two scoops of zabaione ice and a shot of coffee in a glass. Not even a cream topping. It’s a shame that they no longer serve the real thing!
Yes, they have new owners, but the quality has remained the same. There were always three different sizes of affogato to ask for (which remains unchanged) and whipped cream (which really isn’t an ingredient of an affogato) was always extra. They absolutely still serve ‘the real thing.’