Our class went over to Art Attack, Arkage an advertising company and it was finally sunny during our walk. My first impression of the office was that it seemed like a really calm environment to cultivate creativity. There was all kinds of abstract and geometric art and the structures themselves were rustic and modern.
I loved how passionate these people were about their jobs. They placed a real emphasis on portraying the real lives of the Italian people and focused on sustainability as a Certified B Corporation.
After that we walked around a bit and headed back to the hotel to get ready for our free dinner.
Morgan and I wandered around hoping to find something vegan friendly and we ran into just that.
The owner of the building greeted me with his great English as I was sizing up the menu outside of the restaurant. I commented on the odd menu selections and he told me that all the other restaurants in the areas we’ve been only a offer generic, typical meal and experience that a tourist would expect.
He said “not all Italian food is pizza and pasta just like not all American food is burgers and hotdogs.” That won me over. We walked in and he sat us down towards the back of the restaurant.
The interior was simple, rustic, and quaint but still had an updated and fresh feel. I could already tell my his treatment and the presentation of the space that we were going to have a good experience regardless of the food.
However, the food proved to be amazing and the experience was truly pure bliss. The food was all farm-to-table, organic and house made by the chef. Francesco, or Franky as he suggested we call him, explained that while he lived in Rome currently, he had spent a few years in NYC and California. The menu, although it could be custom made, was a real reflection of that cultural blend.
The fact that there was vegan options was enough to shock me after all of the experiences I’ve had but the selections were really diverse. They had a vegan burger, guacamole salad, lots of Italian inspired pastas and unexpected dessert combinations like buffalo cheese cheesecake.
He brought us out his favorite red wine, bread with his favorite olive oils he let us try, guacamole that I mashed and combined at the table, and vegan risotto.
The wine was my favorite thus far. It was the best blend of initial fruity notes and dry, tangy after taste. The olive oils, as he took the time to explain to us, were spicy and bitter- just like a great extra virgin olive oil should be. The guacamole with house made tortilla chips and olive oil was unexpected but delectable. It really brought out the flavors of the individual spices and added to the creaminess.
The risotto was a beautiful golden color thanks to the cumin and other spices. It was also surprisingly loaded with colorful vegetables which was something I wasn’t used to in Italy thus far. It had carrots, peas, and zucchini and I savored every last bite. They really hit the nail on the head with a vegetable based, vegan Italian pasta dish.
After we finished this our plates were cleared and they brought out a surprise dessert of freshly picked goji berries and dried but juicy orange pieces garnished with slivered almonds and powdered confection sugar. This was accompanied by vegan melted dark chocolate for dipping (and eating with a spoon later). In summation, it was flavorful and a real delight.
Just when I thought the surprises were over, a waiter from behind the bar handed us two boxed long and narrow bottles of fancy Italian moisturizing face lotion. I haven’t used it yet but I’m more than excited to try it out!
The Buff was by far my favorite dining experience yet. The food was finally the vegan meals I’ve been yearning for, the space itself was a breath of fresh air, and the service made me feel welcomed and special.
I hope to go back in the future.
Morgan and I then ended it on a high note and proceeded to dance and sing (mainly musical theater 16 bar cuts) like the happy fools we were all the way home. This has to have been my favorite day.