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Go For the Food: Yes, you can do brunch in Rome

By WTOP Staff

KAVITHA SURANA
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Rome is a sightseer’s dream, and for many visitors, indulging in authentic Italian cuisine is one of the biggest draws.

But for non-locals, the first meal of the day can be a bit of a letdown. Breakfast in Italy is a stand-up affair: You crowd at the bar, scarf down a stale pastry and a shot of espresso, and in five minutes flat, the day has begun. Tourists quickly learn that if they dare to plop down at a table in the center of Rome, they may be slapped with an extra “table service” charge and ushered out once when they’ve finished.

Long family lunches on Sundays are an established tradition in Italy, but a casual cross between breakfast-and-lunch with friends is almost a foreign concept.

But escaping from the hurried morning routine may be why weekends at Necci, a bohemian outpost in Rome’s edgy Pigneto neighborhood, have become something of an institution to the artists and creative types who live nearby.

“What we really thought was missing in Rome was a place where you could spend a lot of time, because Italian bars and cafes are places where you have to consume and leave,” said Massimo Innocenti, the owner, sitting on Necci’s spacious outdoor terrace.

Innocenti bought the place in 2006 from the Necci brothers, sons of the original owner who had opened it in 1924. He kept the bones of the historic bar but revamped it with kitschy-chic decorations and a round-the-clock menu, all of it cooked fresh in house.

Locals call it brunch. But if this is brunch, it’s with an Italian twist and its own rhythm. “We don’t do bacon, beans on toast and scrambled eggs,” said Innocenti, laughing. “We are an Italian place.”

Perhaps it’s a brunch in stages. The bar opens at 8 a.m. and if you don’t arrive before 11, you may lose your chance to grab one of the fresh-baked croissants. By then, savory bites such as half-baguettes with escarole, raisins and pine nuts, or Neapolitan-inspired pizzelle — puffy fried mounds of pizza dough sprinkled with chopped tomatoes, basil and mozzarella — will be filling the display case.

At 12:30 p.m., the tavola calda — hot plates — are added, including lasagna and eggplant Parmesan, and from 1 p.m. on, you can finally indulge in the full menu of traditional Italian dishes, plus the slightest nods to items that don’t typically turn up on Italian menus but that will be familiar to non-locals: fish and chips, hamburgers and even bagel sandwiches.

Once you’ve had your fill, explore the area. Far from the tourist hordes and grand sites, Pigneto is a place where a different version of Rome emerges. A traditional working-class neighborhood of crooked low-rise apartments, Pigneto has undergone something of a creative renaissance over the past decade as artists and immigrants flocked to the area and a new nightlife district flourished.

Browse the open-air market of flowers and fresh local produce on Via del Pigneto in the morning, stop by Lo Yeti, one of Pigneto’s bookshop cafes, catch an art film at Kino cinema or sample the neighborhood’s best gelato at Fattori.

As the sun goes down, Pigneto wakes up for revelry. Via del Pigneto is the main thoroughfare for bar-hopping, but it also showcases some of Rome’s tastiest ethnic restaurants. Pair a gin and tonic with curry at Tiger Tandoori or enjoy Asian-fusion bites on Yakikinu’s patio. Nearby, Circolo degli Artisti always has a full calendar of concerts, dance parties and pop-up events.

Or you could just as easily return to relaxing on Necci’s inviting terrace — dinner will be starting soon and you can stay as long as you like.

___

If You Go…

NECCI DAL 1924: Via Fanfulla di Lodi, 68,Rome, http://www.necci1924.com/

LO YETI: Via Perugia, 4, Rome, http://www.loyeti.org/

KINO: Via Perugia, 34, Rome, http://www.ilkino.it/

FATTORI: Via Alberto da Giussano 80

TIGER TANDOORI: Via del Pigneto, 193, http://www.tigertandoori.com/

YAKIKINU: Via del Pigneto, 209, http://www.yakiniku.it/

CIRCOLO DEGLI ARTISTI: Via Casilina Vecchia, 42, http://www.circoloartisti.it/en/

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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