I really thought this was going to be a four star review as I enjoyed the food so much. But the restaurant was let down by a few elements which I'll now describe.
8pm on a hot Tuesday night, late July, and 3 friends and I decide to try the new ramen bar in Via Ostiense. We're turned away as its fully booked (but 80% empty). I explain we will be out by 9.30 and they grudgingly find us a table.
We're in a small back space where air conditioning has recently been added. I'm happy it's cool although we're right under the unit which wouldn't suit everyone.
We're greeted with place mats featuring long menus, and given another small menu which has three basic types of ramen bowls and a selection of antipasti. When our waitress comes back to take the order we're told that the placemat menus are no longer valid, they're just placemats. Might have been good to mention before.
I chose the red ramen dish, a spicy broth with noodles, pork mince, cabbage and seaweed, costing a base price of 14 euros. We're encouraged to add to the basic bowl, and offered more meat, boiled eggs, leeks or extra noodles. I add more meat as I'm not very familiar with the formula. Each add on costs 1.50 to 4.00 euros, so if you take all the extras your bowl of ramen soon costs over 20 euros per person.
We all get a plate of dumplings to share, which arrive rapidly.
The ramen bowls, served in smart ceramic dishes, are very attractive. I'm glad I've ordered an additional slice of pork (for 3.50 euros) as the pork included in the dish appears to be just a table spoon of mince. There's about a fist-sized portion of noodles, a couple of cabbage leaves, a strip of seaweed and lots of broth.
I have to say it is absolutely delicious. I loved the whole dish, even if the broth was a bit too salty for my taste. It was the right amount of spice and the pork slice was soft and tasty.
However I didn't feel full at all - I could have ordered the entire meal again and then I might have felt sated. The ramen is well-prepared but to put together a portion which would satisfy - adding extra noodles, extra pork, extra veg - adds another 10 euros onto the dish. €24 for a bowl of ramen is madness, even if the quality is excellent.
I'm going to look out for a lunch option, as I think it would make an ideal light midday snack. read more