While we’re out and about, we start chatting about our dinner reservations.
“Claudia, did you make reservations at “Il Pagliaccio?”
“No, Paola, I thought you did!!!"
Our dinner at one of the best spots in the center of Rome, where the menu is haute cuisine all the way, seems less and less likely. Il Pagliacco has room for about twenty and you’d be well–advised to make reservations well in advance. Claudia is clearly disappointed. She knows Chef Anthony Genovese well. She’s taken his classes and she’s been talking about him with the deepest admiration for months. Many of my foodie friends have fallen in love with his dishes. His food is a mix of traditional French cooking with lots of Asian influence paired with a profound dedication to Italian and Roman cuisine… but with artistic finesse.
It’s no use crying over spilled milk. I just suggest that you go and, as for me, the next time, I’ll make reservations in advance…
Following the advice of Ilaria Mazzarotta, a Roman author and foodblogger living in Milan for the last few years, we decide to hop over to L’Arcangelo, a stone’s throw from piazza Cavour. The ambiance is definitely not touristy and feels truly authentic. A beautiful dark counter brings us centuries back in time and we are greeted with a warm welcome. The aromas and recipes are straight from the Roman countryside but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few modern twists. Claudia orders Vignarola as her first course, a typical stew from Lazio made from vegetables and pork cheek, while I enjoy an excellent Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper).
Not done with our crazy culinary tour, we book a table at Quinzi e Gabrielli, the historic restaurant in Palazzo di Boccapaduli dating back to the 15th century. It’s classic, not touristy and very centrally located. Here we decide on the fish and once again, we are not disappointed with a dinner of various types of extremely fresh fish, many raw, based on the concept that simplicity is king and a wine menu that will satisfy even the most demanding palates.
We head back to the Hotel, full and drunk on the fresh air of our evening in Rome.
Until tomorrow, Rome.
