Dinner in Rome

There is more history in a bowl of pasta than in the Colosseum, writes Andreas Viestad in Dinner in Rome. From the table of a classic Roman restaurant, Viestad takes us on a fascinating culinary exploration of The Eternal City, and global civilization. Food, he argues, is historys secret driving force. Viestad finds deeper meanings in his meal: From the bread that begins the dinner he traces the origins of wheat and its role in Romes rise as well as its downfall. From his fried artichoke antipasto he explains olive oils part in the religious conflict of 16th-century Europe. From his sorbet dessert he recounts how lemons featured in the history of the Mafia in the 19th century, and how the hunger for sugar fuelled the slave trade. Viestads dinner may be local, but his story is universal. His culinary archaeology is an entertaining, flavourful journey across the dinner table and time. Youll never look at spaghetti carbonara the same way again.