Occasionally I encounter an Autoimmune flareup at some point throughout my day or week. It can be brought on by a number of scenarios and sometimes totally random. Mine, just so happened to occur during my lunch at the Aroma Michelin Star restaurant. And not just a low-key, subtle Autoimmune flareup that I can usually hide, this was next level and my first major public scene.
Going to the famous Michelin Star restaurant, Aroma, in Rome has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. I’ve visited Rome twice before and I love the city! Perhaps I love it because I find the coolest bars and hot spots, but I always enjoy the people and have the greatest time.
Located just across the street, the restaurant offers extravagant views of the Colosseum. With nothing between you and the Colosseum, it feels like your own intimate experience with its beauty.
The Reservation
Collin and I had traveled to Rome for a weekend trip with his friend Dylan. The two of them had planned to see the Colosseum at 4pm and figured they did not have enough time to join me at the Michelin restaurant. They did plan to stop by the restaurant’s bar to see the view I had been talking about before walking to the Colosseum.
I, however, had already seen the Colosseum and wanted to experience the Aroma Michelin Star Restaurant, so I booked a reservation for myself.
I was excited. I have no problem going to a restaurant by myself to eat. Side note, in my opinion, sushi restaurants are one of the best places to practice eating alone because you can sit at the sushi bar and watch them make the sushi. A little dinner & show for you.
I had good practice going places alone since I lived alone after college. This was no problem for me. In fact, I was looking forward to the luxurious experience by myself.
My Airbnb wasn’t able to check us in early due to a previous late check out from the guest before us. In order for their cleaning crew to sanitize and clean, they were running over on time.
My reservation was originally at 1:30pm but due to the delay, I needed to inform the restaurant that I was running late. When I called to tell them, they offered I move the time to 2pm and were very generous to accomodate me.
I took an Uber black from my Airbnb to the Aroma Michelin Star Restaurant. Once I pulled up, I walked in and was welcomed by the receptionist. He directed me to the elevator for the 2nd floor. The restaurant is housed on the rooftop terrace of the luxury residence of Palazzo Manfredi.
The Arrival
The staff greeted me as soon as the elevator doors opened. I gave the name for my reservation and was escorted to a table outside on the terrace.
Each table was lined with beautiful champagne-lined tablecloths and napkins and the seats were comfortable and plush.
My table was half in the shade and half in the sun. There was a nice breeze over the glass railings so I figured I would be fine when it came to the heat.
It was early June and not too hot so I didn’t ask for a seat in full shade. Plus, I didn’t want to ask for more accommodations being that I already pushed my reservation back.
I was given the tasting menu which included the choice of 4 to 7 plates with wine pairings available. I thought my decision for 5 plates with wine included was perfect. It was just after 2pm which made this an early dinner/late lunch for me. I usually can only eat 5 plates as I end up getting very full by the last courses. The prices were more expensive than other Michelin restaurants, but I figured for the views, it might be worth it.
The waiter came to my table and took my selections before asking me if I had any food allergies or sensitivities. I didn’t think to share that I had an Autoimmune disease. It didn’t seem like important information and I had never had an issue at other Michelin restaurants, so I told him no, I had no food allergies or sensitivities. Which was true…
The Aroma Experience
And so the Michelin experience began. They brought me a glass for champagne with a beautiful yellow stem, and a glass for natural water. Out came the “chef’s welcome plate” which entailed long breadsticks, small crackers in the shape of a knot, with 3 different types of breads. Each were on a different plate. I had a wonderful glass of Prosecco as I took in the views of my lunch.
Next I had the first plate which consisted of 4 different bites. Following the starter I had an amazing seafood soup. The soup bowl was large, round and with a deep center. It was paired with long, thin black silverware. I am always a fan of beautiful silverware and platting. I devoured the soup and the wine that was paired with it.
The next entree was the chef’s rendition of carbonara. I loved the presentation of the food. I was brought an empty plate from one waitress while the waiter shook the carbonara in a cocktail shaker before pouring it over the plate gently.
At this point I was starting to get hot. The shade had lessened since I first sat down and after 3 plates plus my wine, I was starting to overheat. I asked if I could be excused to use the restroom. The staff directed me to the bathroom which was super cute so obviously I took a few mirror selfies.
Curious, I had texted Collin and asked if he was at the bar yet. He said yes, that Dylan and him were drinking a beer at the bar downstairs. They had great views as well. I took my time to cool down again before venturing back upstairs. Once I returned I was ready for my next plate.
The Turning Point
I received a red wine which lately I had been drinking very little of since being in Italy. I know, bizarre…white wine has been my go-to preference when it came to drinking in the hot summer heat. This next course was a meat I believe. The first bite was very rich for my tasting and it didn’t sit well with my stomach.
The rich meat, the red wine, the hot sun and little shade, and my heat sensitivity caused me to get dizzy. I had never been in this situation before. I crossed my silverware in a way that told the staff I was finished with this plate. They took it immediately.
I texted Collin SOS…I was not in good shape. Now I started to get really anxious feeling like I was going to throw up, cry, or faint. I wasn’t sure which would happen first but I knew I was on the verge of an Autoimmune flareup. This made me more anxious as the feeling began to overwhelm me.
I hadn’t had a flare up this bad in a while. Let alone, in public. Let alone, at a Michelin starred restaurant. I asked the waiter if my husband could join me at my table and that they weren’t eating.
I felt horrible asking as I know that is a distraction and not traditionally accepted, but they were very nice to allow it. What they didn’t know was that I needed Collin to help me in case I couldn’t make it out of the restaurant.
Taking a minute to recognize what was happening to me, I became aware of my body and emotions. I didn’t know how my flare up was going to react or what was to come. All I knew was that I could feel it building and getting worse. I had a lump in my throat.
In the meantime, I had enough energy to type out to the waiter on google translate that I was not feeling well, and that I needed to leave. He looked at me and looked back at his colleagues. He said “mam, the chef has just finished your pre-dessert, I think. you should really consider just trying a bite of it.”
I put my sunglasses on because I could feel tears coming. My next step forward was to text Collin and ask him to come up immediately because I was about to have a full blown anxiety attack. (Knowing I would write about this later, I snapped a photo of myself going through it- see how red I get!)
The people pleaser in me felt bad. I knew he was just doing his job being the liaison between me and the chefs. And so I pushed myself to stay longer, ignoring how my body was feeling to make other people feel more comfortable.
I told him I could try it but that I probably can’t eat it. I knew it was disrespectful to leave early but I couldn’t help it. It was I leave early or I have a full on breakdown in front of all the other guests.
The Autoimmune Flareup
When Collin finally got upstairs he took one look at me and knew I was not okay. I could feel my cheeks get red as my eyes filled with tears. I started crying under my sunglasses, wiping away as many tears as I could with one swipe of my hand. It wasn’t enough. I could feel more coming. I knew I was about to breakdown crying any second.
Collin asked me if I wanted him to return home with me but at this point I wanted to be alone. What I had just experienced for the first time in public I needed to feel and process on my own. He called me an Uber black and asked for the bill. I was wiping away tears waiting for what felt like hours for the bill to come.
The waiter asked me if anything was wrong since I was leaving so suddenly. Shaking, I held up my phone to show him what I had typed out that I was experiencing an Autoimmune flareup and that I had to leave.
I couldn’t speak. All I could do was show him my phone. I saw the waiter’s face of disbelief. Collin then took over and explained to them my Autoimmune flareup(s) are sensitive to heat and with the last plate, the sun, and the wine, it was all too much for me.
The waiter agreed and thanked me for coming. He packed me my final desserts to go. Collin lead me toward the exit. I had my head down to hide my face while I bawled my eyes out. Collin thanked them as we walked out together.
I believe it was a mixture of things that triggered my flare up. The experience was scary but it was needed as I continue to move forward.
The Aroma Michelin Star experience taught me that I do need to mention my health condition when I am asked about any food allergies or sensitivities, regardless of how fine I feel at that moment.
I also learned that maybe I shouldn’t go somewhere by myself for a long period of time, for health reasons. I am grateful Collin was nearby to help me through that situation because I don’t know how I would have gotten through it alone.
I got in the Uber black and I cried. I cried and cried. When I arrived back to the Airbnb, I took a shower and washed off all that had happened. Overall, the Aroma Michelin Restaurant was a great learning experience for everyone involved.
Read my Aroma Michelin Star Review on the restaurant, minus my Autoimmune flareup.
