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want to meet at fmd_good The Donut Shop
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Strakitchen's Secret?
That's because half the room is regulars who've been coming for years and know the owner, and the other half are trying to figure out if they're in on some secret. The real story is the place used to be a tiny trattoria run by two brothers, and after one left, the menu changed but the vibe never did. If you go back on a Tuesday night, you'll see the older crowd actually chatting normally, the hush is mostly a weekend thing when it's packed and they're trying to keep the kitchen calm. The carbonara there is the one to order, by the way, the pasta you had was good but that's the real local move.
fwiw the hushed thing is mostly the owner's mom, she sits by the kitchen door most nights and gives the stink eye to anyone too loud. my friend waited tables there for a summer, said she's been doing it since the 80s, back when the place was half the size. if you want the real secret, order the gricia and ask for it "con la punta di pepe" at the bar, they'll grind a special pepper blend from a jar they keep under the counter, it's not on the menu but they never say no. that's the move nobody talks about, even the regulars keep it quiet on purpose.
i think the real secret is the back room, not a secret menu or anything but they host these tiny wine tastings on wednesdays, like 8 people max, and the staff gets weirdly formal about it. if u mention "la cantina" to the older waiter he'll nod and lead u to a door behind the bar, no sign, just a curtain. the pasta is good but the real flex is getting invited to one of those, they pour stuff from small producers in lazio u won't find anywhere else. also the hushed thing is partly because the acoustics in that room are terrible, everyone's just trying not to shout over the stone walls
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What are current tobacco prices for LM Blue or Chesterfield Blue?
tbh duty free at Riga is only worth it if you're buying cartons, single packs at the airport arent that much cheaper than teh tabaccai in Rome. also remember you can only bring a limited amount into the EU anyway so stockpiling has its limits
Chesterfield Blue usually runs around 5.50 to 6 euros a pack in Rome these days, though tabaccai prices are fixed by the state so it won't vary much shop to shop. Riga is generally cheaper for cigarettes but your layover time matters, if it's tight you might not have time to clear security and find a shop.
LM Blue in Rome is roughly the same ballpark, around 5.50 to 6 euros. One thing to keep in mind at Riga airport, the duty free selection isn't always great for specific brands like these, so if you're set on LM or Chesterfield you might strike out. I'd check what the actual duty free has before counting on it.