Scarlet fever, new wave coffee and artisanal pastries in Rome, a nourishing soup, and a bonus March playlist.

Plus, a bit of This & That.

We Got The Fever

For all who've seen my stories this week, you know we've been in pretty bad shape over here. On Monday, there were signs something was brewing. A headache here, a sore throat there, but I was trying to stay optimistic, as I always do when I hear a cough or sniffle from someone in my house. By Tuesday, things had gotten much worse, and it was clear that something serious was going on with Costa, Bruno, and I. Costa had a red rash all over his chest and back, and the glands in his neck were gigantic. My glands were swollen, too, and my hands were bright red and felt like they were on fire. And, Bruno was a snotty-nosed mess. The pediatrician we found in Rome came over for a house visit (thank god for house visits in Italy), and after a strep test and seeing Costa's rash and my red hands confirmed that Costa and I had scarlet fever (a form of strep), and Bruno had plain old strep. Also, Paolo had a head cold, and Andre got food poisoning that night. So, it was a complete family breakdown. It doesn't seem possible that all of this could happen at once, but it did.

Now, back to the scarlet fever!!! I had it once when I was little, but I haven't heard of anyone I know having it since then. And from so many of your comments on Instagram yesterday, I can now see I am not the only one who was surprised by this latest virus we've picked up in Italy:

"Literally thought only pirates got that."

"I just thought it was something from the olden days, and you only hear about it on the Oregon Trail."

"OMGGGG, scarlet fever! What is it 1920 again?!"

"I mean, wasn't that shit extinct after Beth died from it in Little Women."

Thanks for the laughs guys. So many great Oregon Trail references really brought me back to fourth-grade computer class. Luckily, the antibiotics turned it all around quickly, and we're finally back! And, since we've been living on soup, it only feels right to celebrate our recovery with a soup recipe this week. Simple, nourishing, and delicious. Exactly what we all need, with or without “the fever”. x

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Swiss Chard and Cannellini Bean Soup

Serves 4

• Extra virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped

• 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and finely diced

• 1 medium leek, ends trimmed, sliced in half and cut into thin half moons, soaked in water to remove any residue, and drained

• 1 head of Swiss chard, tough stems removed, leaves sliced into 1/2" ribbons

• 3 cups canned or jarred cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 bay leaf

• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock

• 1 piece of a Parmigiano Reggiano rind (3-4 inches long)

• Sea salt

• Freshly cracked black pepper

• Optional: Serve with your favorite toasted bread with olive oil and flakey sea salt

Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil into a medium pot and turn the heat on medium. Add the garlic, onion, and leek, stirring to coat, and cook until soft and tender but not browned, about 5 minutes. Next, add the Swiss chard, a little more olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir to coat and cook for a few more minutes, wilting the Swiss chard.

Add the cannellini beans, a bay leaf, the chicken stock, and the Parmigiano Reggiano rind. Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, allowing it to cook for 15 minutes. Remove the rind and bay leaf. Taste and season, as needed, with salt and black pepper.

Divide the soup between individual bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil and a crack of freshly ground black pepper, and serve with your favorite toasted bread.

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New Wave Coffee + Artisanal Pastries in Rome

By: Andre Vippolis

Italy's coffee culture is built on speed and tradition: a quick hit of no-nonsense dark bitter espresso knocked back at the counter, a bite of something sweet or the standard-issue cornetto that does the job when you need it, and then you're on your merry way. But in Rome, ever traditional, a new wave of specialty coffee and artisanal baking is rising. In these spots, it's about quality over habit, craftsmanship over convenience. Coffee made with precision. Pastries made with care.

The spots featured here aren't your typical Roman coffee bars like Ciampini—no bowties, no old-school hustle and bustle rush, and no detached routine. These are places where passion and quality come first, run by people who care deeply about what they serve. Their offerings draw a mix of in-the-know Romans and travelers who appreciate good coffee and well-made pastries and seek something beyond the usual traditional fare. The spots listed below offer some of the best coffee and pastries in the city.