Since we have discovered the list of World’s 10 Most Beautiful Cafes we though we would give it a try.  Our first experience was with Cafe New York in Budapest – and it was nothing short of spectacular.  Our second attempt was Cafe Imperial in Prague which truth be bold was more Cafe and less Imperial, but the service was good and food was not bad.  So when in Rome….. Caffe Greco is the place to be or to experience.  The write up goes as follows:

‘Rome’s oldest and most famous café has served coffee to many of Europe’s historical figures, and remains a haven for intellectuals and politicians today. Its location in the city’s most luxurious shopping street by the tourist-magnet Piazza di Spagna guarantees that it’s always busy and with plenty of atmosphere. The décor is all about mirrors, romantic paintings, gilt, wood, marble, and period furnishings, lending a unique charm to each of the small rooms that make up the interior.’

Read – no self respecting citizen of Rome would be caught dead in this tourist trap, in fact if it was not for the silly tourists this place would be long gone and turned into a EuroShop.  The place does not look fresh or vibrant or spectacular.  In fact I would go so far as to say that this place is far closer to our “Hotel Europa” we had in London than it is to Cafe New York in Budapest.  The waiters look like they are marching towards their executioner or to fight some wild beasts at the Colosseum.  They certainly are not looking happy to be there or to serve anyone.  We sat around, we looked around, we waited and waited and we left.  Experience is one thing and we are all for it, but we had to draw a line at €8.00 cappuccino and a €12.00 slice of cake.  This place should have never made the list – it is nothing like the other cafes on that list.