I happened across this little (and I mean little - probably 20 seats maximum) on my way back to my hotel this afternoon. It looked intimate and perfect for the solo diner. Knowing next to nothing about Italian cuisine (or geography) I didn't know before I went that it doesn't serve typical Roman food, but cuisine from Salento in the south, I was a tiny bit disappointed, until I tried the food!
The menu was entirely in Italian, and apart from knowing that pollo is chicken, I'm a bit useless. The wonderful waiter noticed this and was extremely patient in explaining every item on the thankfully small menu. As I was deciding the chef appears to bring me an appetiser of tomato caviar on breadcrumbs. Delicious, and a wonderful indication of what was to come. Still feeling a little lost I asked the waiter to advise me on the best dishes from the Salento region. He chose the Ciceri con misto mare (linguine type pasta with seafood and chickpeas) as my primo and bombette de capocollo (parcels of pork shoulder stuffed with cavallo nero and cheese) as my secondo. Both were incredible and just exactly the right portion size, accompanied by some of the very best house red I've ever tasted.
After this I was brought some home baked biscotti and some Zibbibo dessert wine (free of charge). Having a sweet tooth, and treating myself since it was my birthday I also went for the semifredo for my dolci. I asked my waiter if prosecco or the dessert wine would go best with it, and he brought me another glass of wine, again without charge. I had a wonderful meal here, staying for well over two hours, which when you're dining alone is quite some feat. I almost wish that Rome didn't have so much to offer so that I could go back here and sample more of the delicious menu! read more