RomaPolacchi

Robert Harris wrote Pompeii and Imperium (about Cicero), two fascinating novels that really brought ancient Rome to life. Now his latest book, Conspirata , is coming out in February, and will certainly prove to be as riveting as his last works. Conspirata is the story of Cicero's consulship and the years that followed-years rife with intrigue and ambition. Buy it now in the UK (under the title Lustrum ) .

Two years ago I wrote about my favorite restaurant in Rome, L'Altro Mastai. But a recent visit to their website (now nonexistent) confirms that they are now closed. Does anyone know if they are planning to reopen in a new location? Where has the chef, Fabio Baldassare, gone? This is indeed a disaster! Read my post from two years ago and don't tell me that you aren't mourning the loss of this wonderful, elegant restaurant. "Tucked away on a tiny street near the bridge to the Castel Sant'Angelo on Via Giraud, 53, is a restaurant unlike the typical Roman trattoria. L'altro Mastai, opened four years ago, is innovative, unexpected, and truly a gourmet experience. The menu offers many interesting twists on Roman dishes such as hen soup with Jerusalem artichoke and braised veal with parsley sauce. There is always a tasting menu with wines to match. The wine list is extensive and offers selections from all over Italy and Europe in all price ranges. The chef often cir...

Festival International del Film di Roma is a week-long celebration of independent and Hollywood films. The festival is juried (there is even a kids' jury!) and celebrities and artists from all over the world attend. This year's winners are sure to cause a stir. Find out who won the coveted Golden Marcus Aurelius.

San Francisco's classical music station, KDFC, is hosting a contest to win a week-long trip to Rome (or London, Paris, Istanbul, or Spain). All you have to do is listen to KDFC (102.1 in SF) at 9, 11, 12, 2, and 4 when Rick Steves gives a few clues about "Where in the World" he is. If you can guess, log in to KDFC.com (you need to join ClubKDFC ) and enter to win! The contest runs through October 24 and you can enter everyday.

It was a great summer for discovery in Italy, even on the island of Capri. The bases of 3 Roman statues discovered in the cave in 1964 have been found on the floor of the Blue Grotto , along with evidence that there were at least 4 more statues in the cave. Now an underwater hunt for the remaining 4 statues is on. When they are discovered, archaeologists plan to make copies of the statues to display in their original positions in the cave, bringing the emperor Tiberius' private swimming grotto back to its ancient glory. I can't wait to see what they find. PS-don't try searching for them yourself-the sea bed is almost 500 feet below!

Thanks to eternallycool.net , news of recent archaeological discoveries in Rome have reached my long-deprived ears. Scholars think that they may have found the famous rotating dining room in the emperor Nero's Domus Aurea and a new amphitheater has been unearthed in Portus , just outside of ancient Rome's port, Ostia. The amphitheater could seat 2,000 people and may have been part of an imperial palace. I am anxiously awaiting more news from the summer's excavations. Stay tuned!