I didn’t think it was even possible to be *slightly* tired of tacos in Mexico – but supposedly it does happen. After a full week on the Baja Peninsula and having tacos for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks (think Bubba from Forest Gump; egg tacos, fish tacos, chicken tacos…etc.) My taste buds were craving something a bit different than a meat filled tortilla.
Once arriving in La Paz we found ourselves a handy map and quickly turned it into a foodie atlas, marking X’s on the places we have already devoured. Scanning the map and seeing a place located a few blocks north of the malecon is a tiny Italian restaurant that we couldn’t have been happier stumbling across.
il Rustico is like taking a step back into time and a way to break away from the hustle and bustle of La Paz. Walking up the steps and through the arbor, follow along the stone steps in the garden under the large palm fronds and a flowing fountain you stop and take in the view. Continue on the stone path that meanders throughout the court yard, you take notice to the twinkling wicker lanterns and string lights that sparkle in the trees.
Alessandra and Franco are a couple from Rome and Grosseto opened il Rustico making it their pride and joy to bring a piece of Italy to Mexico, reflecting their taste in the cuisine. Andy and I took our seats near the stone pizza oven, eagerly watching what types of food were being prepped so close to us. Ordering a refreshing glass of white wine, soon our waiter returned with a basket of fresh and still warm bread. Dipping that bread in the oil still has me drooling and craving more.
When in Rome…ahem…I mean Mexico…
When you happen to find yourself in Rome you order the pizza, and the same goes for il Rustico, when you see a giant stone pizza oven, you order the pizza. We quickly decided on the prosciutto pizza and lost ourselves a second time in the scenery of the court yard. When our pizza arrived we took a moment to admire the work crafted into our dinner, soon after we made a vow that every Friday night we would return to il Rustico and treat ourselves to some very tasty Italian food.
After the fourth week of eating at il Rustico, I thought about a favorite quote of mine in the movie ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ where Sofi and Liz took off to Rome and found themselves in a crowded pizzeria. Sofi mentioned to Liz that she couldn’t possibly eat her pizza fearing her jeans wouldn’t button, and Liz rolls her eyes and says when in Rome you eat the pizza…
“I’m going for it. I have no interest in being obese, I’m just through with the guilt. So, here’s what we’re going to do: we’re going to finish this pizza, and tomorrow, we’re going to buy ourselves some bigger jeans. ”
il Rustico wasn’t just a restaurant to me, it was finding a romantic spot to share special nights with my husband and to shine on the memories we had just made. Enjoying a great glass of wine, eating authentic Italian food, and not caring if I did have to buy bigger jeans, because when it is 90 some degrees out in the day, you don’t wear jeans. ;-) If you ever find yourself in La Paz, navigate yourself away from the strip, get lost on some one way roads, and locate yourself in front of il Rustico, and enjoy the simple flavors of Italy in Mexico.
il Rustico Trattoria Phone: 011-52-1-612-157-707 Url: http://ilrusticolapazmx.com
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