Osteria dei Pazzi, aka the little restaurant of the fools. It's steps away from another excellent spot in Garbatella, but it takes the distance from the Roman traditions, offering an elaborate yet very approachable menu. They have an extensive section of daily specials (always outstanding) plus the regular menu, an eclectic array of bold combinations, beautifully composed. Appetizers tend to be small-ish, first and second courses are quite generous, this is not the kind of place where you leave hungry. The two signature dishes are the personal re-interpretation of the amatriciana (on a basket of pecorino cheese) and the carbonara (with truffle and an exquisite "guanciale", the pig cheek), rich but balanced at the same time, you won't be missing the original version.
Among the entrees, my favorite remains the octopus, cooked to perfection (crunchy and not spongy) on a bed of grilled veggies. I found the pig cheek to be a bit too strong in terms of flavor, I wouldn't orderit again since there are countless alternatives to pick from. If you don't think to have room for dessert, you can always try the "mini" version, because three bites of Tiramisu are much better than nothing, and (almost) guilt-free.
Service is attentive but slow, Osteria dei Pazzi is a perfect romantic spot, or the venue to catch up with friends when you're not in a hurry and can relax in their beautifully decorated upper room. Pricing is a bit steep for the area (and no Amex accepted, only Visa), but you definitely get you pay for. read more