Historical Aperitivo: Ancient Banquets - March 28, 2026

From eggs to apples! Have you ever wondered what would it be like to be invited to a Roman banquet? What was the proper etiquette? What were the pitfalls and how would the foods compare to those available to us today? To find out, join us for a brief overview during a special aperitivo!

Light refreshments will follow this lecture and discussion with historian Olivia Ercoli.

When: Saturday, 28 March 2026.

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Private residence (near Corso Trieste); exact address sent to confirmed participants.

Cost: €15 members; €20 non-members (who must, however, be guests of a current member)

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina.

NB: Book early, as space is limited. Payment required by  25 March 2026.

Historical Aperitivo: Marie Antoinette - February 5, 2026

Marie Antoinette’s destiny is often recounted as a Shakespearean tragedy defined by hamartia, conflict, catastrophe, and a glimpse of restored order within the French Revolution. She is the most well-known of Maria Theresa’s sixteen children. The only female ruler of the Hapsburg dynasty, Maria Theresa excelled in early modern marriage politics, and “happily ever after” was the exception -- certainly not Marie Antoinette’s case.

Queen Marie Antoinette in 1787 with Marie Thérèse, Louis Charles, and Louis Joseph. Palace of Versailles (Wikimedia Commons)

Inspired by the blockbuster exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, we will revisit Marie Antoinette’s agency in the fishbowl that was Versailles. Was she an innocent in the wrong place at the wrong time? Did her acts of disloyalty have malicious intent? Or was she, perhaps, a Helen of Troy whose face launched 17,000 guillotine blades? She was, in part, all of those things. Our contemporary view of her tends to emphasize idolization and pity more than hatred and outrage.  We will be so bold as to ask why.

Light refreshments will follow the lecture and discussion with historian Christine Contrada.

When: Thursday, February 5th, 2026.

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Private residence (near Corso Trieste); exact address sent to confirmed participants.

Cost: €15 members; €20 non-members (who must, however, be guests of a current member)

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina.

NB: Book early, as space is limited. Payment required by 3 Feb. 2026.

Historical Aperitivo: The Fall of Rome - November 12, 2025

NB Full/waiting list started.

The Roman Empire was not built in a day, but it was built to last. Over the course of its final centuries, the vast empire slowly and dramatically fell to its knees. What caused Rome’s demise? Was it inflation, invasion, corruption, Christianity or maybe even lead poisoning? There is no one simple or obvious answer. Bring your curiosity and an open mind to unravel the neat and tidy story you probably learned in school.  Get ready to get to the bottom of this complex and shadowy transformation into the Middle Ages.

Light refreshments will follow the lecture and discussion with historian Christine Contrada.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Private residence (near Corso Trieste); exact address sent to confirmed participants.

Cost: €10 members; €20 non-members (who must, however, be guests of a current member)

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina.

NB: Book early, as space is limited. Payment required by 4 Nov. 2025.

Historical Aperitivo: Colourful Popes - April 2, 2025

Sold out.

One of history’s most provocative topics is the story of the papacy, and namely the 266 popes (or 267, depending on who you ask) who have tried to fill the shoes of Saint Peter. If papal history has shown us anything, it makes it clear how difficult it is for mere mortals, even those chosen by God, to walk the fine line between temporal and spiritual power. Come and frolic through 2000 years of intrigue with some delightfully devious and scintillatingly suspect papal behaviour. From parading around Rome with an elephant, to putting a corpse on trial, to labyrinthian backroom political deals, to fathering children, history is even better than fiction. Hold on to your socks, papal or not, and see the Jubilee in high definition with historian Christine Contrada.

When: Wednesday, 2 April, 2025

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Plebiscito Cucina Bar Mercato, Via del Plebiscito 104 (near Piazza Venezia)

Cost: €30 includes history talk and the aperitivo combo with 1 drink (wine, beverage or select cocktails), water, focaccia, and charcuterie board (or vegetarian option: pinzimonio with veggies and cheese). Advance payment required to confirm your place.

Please note that you will be charged individually for any additional orders beyond the set menu listed above.

RSVP & PoP: to canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina by close of business on 28 March.

Historical Aperitivo: Napoleon and the Repubblica Romana - September 23, 2024

We're going to gather again at the gourmet hang-out, Plebiscito, just steps away from the famous enclosed balcony of the apartment where Napoleon Bonaparte's mother lived. That's no accident because we'll have historian Christine Contrada telling us more about the famous revolutionary general and his connections to Rome, while we enjoy a delicious aperitivo.

When: Monday, Sept. 23, 2024

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Plebiscito Cucina Bar Mercato, Via del Plebiscito 104 (near Piazza Venezia)

Cost: €20 for the aperitivo combo with a drink (wine, beverage or select cocktails), water, focaccia, and charcuterie board (or vegetarian/vegan option: pinzimonio with veggies rather than coldcuts and cheese). Each participant is responsible for their individual payment, including any extras ordered.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina to secure a spot with us.