The view of the Piazza Euclide from the seventh floor of the Grand Hotel Ritz in Rome is the perfect backdrop for the restaurant Gaetano Costa Le Roof. Specializing in innovative Italian cuisine, the restaurant offers unique gourmet meals in an elegant setting that's relaxed and original.
While touring the historic square of Parioli, I could enjoy a lunch in such a beautiful location. I was immediately excited by the stunning restaurant design, which featured lots of natural light coming through the floor to ceiling windows, draped with white linens. With plenty of seating at modern black square tables, as well as the outdoor terrace, the restaurant carries the design through cubical shelving and bright green accents.
My server was excellent and recommended I start with the famous Gaetano Costa egg - a poached egg, served on a bed of leafy green spinach and topped with black truffles and black truffle sauce. There's a fine line to getting an egg perfectly poached, and the care put into this dish was obvious. My other starter was a smoked salmon tartare with pasteurized egg yolk, rosemary croutons and low-fat yoghourt sauce. Creamy and delicious with a subtle smoky flavor coming through.
My main was an artfully plated palate pleaser, consisting of crispy lobster with chopped eggplant and basil. Served with a coral scallops sauce, this dish was an excellent blend of Italian flavors and fresh seafood. I mixed it with paccheri pasta with saffron and mussels for a little extra dose of the sea. The pasta was cooked al dente, exactly as I like it.
For dessert, I opted for something light and refreshing: Ricotta cream with coffee crumbles, berries and honey. Just the right amount of sweetness from the honey and berries.
My entire experience at Gaetano Costa was remarkable, and I highly recommend it for its great food, personal service, and breathtaking views. read more