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Monteverde – GT Food & Travel
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GT Food & Travel

Tag: Monteverde

  • Hostaria da Settimio – My Neighborhood Trattoria

    Hostaria da Settimio – My Neighborhood Trattoria

    Last weekend, I had lunch at one of my go-to-spots, Hostaria da Settimio in Monteverde. I stumbled upon it in November 2009.  Honest prices, homey food and a welcoming owner make for a winning recipe.  Carla, the mayor of Settimio, bops from table to table reciting the menu, taking orders and chatting with the regulars. Extremely knowledgeable and passionate about cucina romana, she enjoys discussing traditional Roman food. In fact we were waxing poetic about animelle, rigatoni con la pajata and coda alla vaccinara, three of our mutually loved dishes.

    We snuck in without a reservation.  By 1:30 the dining room was packed. Starters include carciofi alla giudia (deep friend artichoke), suppli and salumi from Norcia. First courses include Roman pastas like cacio e pepe (pasta with grated pecorino romano cheese and black pepper), amatriciana and gricia (tomato-less amatriciana).

    We ordered cacio e pepe. There is something magical about this seemingly simple dish. When done well it is velvety, peppery and deliciously sharp.  Next, pappardelle al cinghiale (fresh pasta with a tomato-wild boar sauce); originally from Tuscany, it is the odd man out on the Roman pasta menu. The sweet, nutty and intense flavor reminds me of autumn; a comforting and hearty dish.

    Second courses include polpette (meatballs), abbacchio (lamb) and saltimbocca alla Romana.

    Side dishes include cicoria ripassata (chicory sauteed with olive oil, garlic and spicy red pepper), spinach and grilled seasonal vegetables. When in season, I order a salad of puntarelle (a type of chicory) as a side dish. The bitter green stalks are tossed in a dressing of anchovies, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. If you love anchovies like me, you’ll want to mop up every last fishy drop with a hunk of bread.

    Desserts include tiramisu, crostata (a tart usually filled with jam) and fresh fruit.

    Visit Settimio for Roman pasta specialties, a lively atmosphere and honest prices. Average cost per person including a starter, pasta or main dish, a bottle of water and wine is 20 – 25 euro.

     Hostaria da Settimio
    Via di val Tellina, 29
    06.58230701
    Open Tuesday – Sunday  for lunch & dinner

     

     

  • Friday Night at L’Osteria di Monteverde

    Friday Night at L’Osteria di Monteverde

    Last Friday, I had dinner at L’Osteria di Monteverde.  I’ve been a bit anti-Osteria di Monteverde since it took over the space of a popular locale and the menu was changed to typical Roman fare.  I visited the Osteria when it first opened its doors in September and wasn’t impressed but after much hype, I decided it was time to give it another go.

    Friday night, I was thrilled to see that chef, Roberto Campitelli had added many fish dishes to his repertoire.  Roberto is the chef and Fabio Tenderini runs the front of the house. The service is warm and the interior is simple.

    By 9:30 there wasn’t a seat left in the dining room. A steamy basket of irresistible artisan bread and grissini arrived quickly. Antipasti of zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, wrapped in prosciutto, served over saffron sauce and raw seabream in sesame oil were well presented. The nutty oil was a great compliment to the thinly sliced fish, mixed salad and yogurt sauce.

    Primi (first courses) included tagliolini pasta with pesce azzuro (typically mackerel, sardines and anchovies), spring onion, lemon and balsamic vinegar and pacchero pasta with arugula and fresh tuna. The tagliolini was the clear winner in this category. The homemade pasta tossed with meaty white morsels of fish was delicately balanced with lively citrus, onion and rich balsamic accents.

    Secondi (second courses) included seared tuna lightly coated in breadcrumbs with eggplant caviar and coda alla vaccinara (Roman stew made of oxtail, tomatoes and other vegetables). The coda was stewed to perfection, succulent and savory. I’ll be heading back for this dish; no doubt.

    I ended the meal with lemon cheesecake in caramel sauce dusted with powdered sugar and an espresso. The crust was moist and divine.

    Average cost per person including a bottle of water, ½ bottle of wine and coffee is 35 euro; reservations recommended.

     

    Osteria di Monteverde

    Via Pietro Cartoni 163/165

    Tel. 06 53273887

     

  • Le Tre Zucche Ristorante

    Le Tre Zucche Ristorante

    Last Thursday, I had dinner at Le Tre Zucche in Monteverde. Open for nearly six years, it is hands-down one of my favorite restaurants in Rome. The professional and warm service, simple and elegant décor, extensive wine list and creative regional plates can be credited to the talented duo; Fabrizio Sepe, chef and co-owner, and Federico Chessa, co-owner.  Their passion can be tasted in every bite.

    By 9:00pm the dining room was full. I’ve eaten here a number of times and it was time to try the tasting menu. I chose an Allegrini Valpolicella Classico 2010 to enjoy alongside dinner. Dishes included grilled polenta topped with endive, stracciata and anchovy fillets; mortadella cannolo filled with ricotta served over asparagus salad; chickpea soup with chicory and pecorino cheese meatballs; chiatarrucci pasta with meat ragù in a red wine reduction; braised beef cheek with red onions in agrodolce (sweet and sour sauce) and roman broccoli; sea salt and Amedei gianduia chocolate cake.

    Every plate was well executed. The buttery stracciata, anchovy fillets, bitter endive and crisp grilled polenta were an incredible texture and flavor explosion. The mortadella cannolo packed with a creamy ricotta filling and splash of robust balsamic vinegar was divine. The handmade egg pasta with meat sauce was rich and savory. The beef cheek was perfectly cooked, succulent and tender. The pre-dessert of phyllo pastry piped full of crema di noci (hazelnut cream) topped with glazed pear trumped the main chocolate dessert.

    The tasting menu (minimum of two people), ½ bottle of water, and artisan bread basket costs 35 euro per person excluding service – well worth every euro!

    Le Tre Zucche Ristorante

    Via G. Mengarini 43-45 – Roma

    +39 06/5560758

     


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