For the second restaurant in the Rome 2016 writings, I have to write about the restaurant close to our hotel that we went to on the second day for lunch. And the last full day in Rome for supper.
The restaurant is an unassuming neighbourhood trattoria that serves lunch and dinner and also pizza for take-away. The lunch list consisted of primi: Penne all’arrabbiata or pasta with a spicy tomato sauce (3,50e), rigatoni amatriciana or pasta with “bacon” tomato sauce and pecorino (4,50e), parmigiana or aubergine with tomato sauce and cheese (5e), linguine cozze e vongole or pasta with clams and mussels (5,50e) and fettuccine campagnola or pasta with (I guess?) a creamy sauce and some meat with cheese (4,80e). For lunch the secondi were: Scottadito di tacchino or panfried turkey (3,80e), cotoletta panata or crusted veal(?) (3,50e), fettina rosa di manzo or (I guess?) steak of beef (6e), hamburger (2,50e), petto di pollo or panfired chicken breast (3,80e), braciola di suino or panfried porkchops (3,80e), salsicce di norcia or spicy sausages (3,50e), pollo con peperoni or chicken and bell peppers (5,50e) and passera con pachino(?) (5,50e). For sides there were: Bieta or chard (2,50e), cicoria all’agro or boiled chicory (2,50e), verdura ripassata or sautéed vegetables (2,80e), patate fritte or fries (2,20e), patate lessate or boiled potatoes (2,50e) and spinaci or spinach (2,50e). Insalata caprese or tomato mozzarella salad (6e) was also available.
We took chicken and fries for the kids, parmigiana and insalata caprese for us. Ordering is done in the table and the waiter tried his best to help us navigate the menu.
The payment was done at the counter where another person tallied up our bill. We should have taken maybe a pasta to share, as the food we ate did not keep us until the late dinner/supper time (19:30 onwards) that is usual for Rome.
The kids really liked the chicken and the fries disappeared also quickly. The waiter gave condiments when asked, so the kids got their ketchup (mayo was also available) and we got olive oil, salt and balsamic vinegar.
The parmigiana was deliciously simple and cheesily wonderful. We both loved this and ate it up with some of the bread they brought to the table. We also used extra plates for dipping the bread into olive oil and vinegar.
The insalata caprese was also good, but to our wonder (this happened so many times that it cannot be a coincidence) the tomatoes were not that ripe. Being in Italy one would assume that all the tomatoes would taste of the sun, but no. Still, we did enjoy the salad and the silky mozzarella.
For the supper, we came when the restaurant opened (19:30) and sat outside, although doing that did in effect mean that the smokers were sitting close to us, which is a point to consider. No smoking indoors, so if it bothers you too much, then maybe head inside.
On the menu were a lot of the same things as during lunch and a bunch of other items as well. I’ll let you peruse the attached menu in English. There were also the daily specials and those were: Gnocchi alla sorrentina or potatoe gnocchi with tomato and mozzarella sauce, fettuchine funghi or pasta with mushroom sauce, rigatoni ragú or pasta with a meat and tomato sauce, amatriciana, mezzemaniche cardinale or pasta with (I guess?) a bechamel sauce with tomato, tonnarelli cacio pepe or “thick spaghetti” with pecorino and pepper sauce, parmigiana and bistecca di manzo alla brace or a steak.
Ordering and payment was done in the same manner as lunch. And again we asked for the bread and the condiments. We ordered a few chicken breasts and fries, an insalata caprese, a margharita pizza, cacio pepe and aglio olio (pasta with garlic, olive oil, parmesan, chili and parsley). The kids loved the chicken again.
The pizza was ok, but definitely not the best we had in Rome. But still, very good by the standards of what you get at home. Simple and with a pretty good base.
Insalata caprese was again good, but still the tomatoes were a source of amazement, why are these not as ripe as the ones we use at home? Is it customary for Italians to use this not too ripe tomatoes in salads? If so, then why?
The cacio (e) pepe that I ordered was just wonderful. One of the best pasta dishes I had in Rome and the peppery hit was delightful.
The simple aglio (e) olio pasta dish is my wife’s favourite and this version was the best one she had in Rome. Very good and very filling, she could not finish the large dish (they were worried that she did not like it, but she loved it).
The restaurant is a small and decorated in a simple fashion. This feels very authentic and most of the other customers were decidedly local. The only issue we had with the restaurant was the bathroom, which was not that great. So maybe avoid going there, if you can.
The service was attentive and helpful, we felt very welcome to the restaurant and I heartily recommend stopping by if you are in the neighbourhood. And the neighbourhood was actually very nice, not at all touristy, but felt genuine and it was lovely to walk around the San Lorenzo area.
| URL | La Laurea |
| Puhelin | +39-06491311 |
| Osoite | Via Giovanni Mingazzini 24, 00161 Rome, Italy |