If I'm honest, this was a disappointment. I hate to be too critical as this place has been on my bucket list for years, ever since I saw Anthony Bourdain eat the infamous Roman Cacio e Pepe here over a decade ago. It not only looked delicious but the setting was idyllic and I figured, based on the TV portrayal of it, it had to be great. So when in Rome... I did not want to miss my opportunity so I made an online reservation a week ahead. The process was simple as it involved sending an email request. I got a near immediate reply, requesting credit card info. The process felt a little threatening (if you don't show, your card will be charged). I initially interpreted this as a good sign since it suggested to me that reservations here might be difficult to come by. When the day came, imagine my surprise to find it empty. I was there for lunch when they opened so maybe that had something to do with it but even after spending 90 minutes there, only about five tables were occupied. I'm sure there are busier times, but the reservation process for that time of day seemed unnecessary and the threat of charging my card given the emptiness of the place seemed unfriendly. Regarding the food, it was great. I ordered the Cacio e Pepe because I had to and also a main of Roman Tripe in tomato sauce. But I will say that I ate in several cafés in Rome and had the same or similar dishes and every one of them was equally delicious. (it was a lot like going to Arizona and looking to eat a burrito. They are found everywhere, and everywhere does them well.) I would not be able to say that Sparita was discernibly better than any of the other local Trattorias I visited. The food here is certainly up to Roman standards, if but a tad pricier, which I am guessing is because of its fame since Bourdain. My lesson learned from all of this is that it is tough to find a bad meal in Rome. One thing that did strike me was that of the five tables occupied, three were tourists very much like myself here on a pilgrimage. I really did not see locals or the neighborhood community piling in to have lunch here. I think that says something. Where it really falls down for me. Is the pushiness of the service staff for tips. When it came time to pay, my server was sure to mention to me no less than four times that "service" was not included. It actually was very annoying and he was very clear about his expectations. Europe, in general, is not a tipping culture. When paying by credit card, their machines do not even give you an opportunity to add a tip in if you wanted to. I certainly don't mind leaving a small gratuity in any country that I am in when service recognition is warranted or the culture requires it. But this felt like an uncomfortable request to me multiple times which seemed more like extortion than a helpful suggestion. (No other Roman restaurant I visited did this.). I am glad I finally got the opportunity to visit and have a meal here. I would not pass up that experience or the chance to take it off my bucket list. But I really can't say that it was the best thing I had in Rome, nor was it head and shoulders better than any other Trattorias that I visited. Based on my observations during this visit, it seemed clear that this place has become more of a tourist spot brought into its own a decade ago by a celebrity visit. I don't think it is going to get a second visit from me. read more

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Roma Sparita has been on my list since watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations series. This was the first place I made a reservation to as soon as our trip to Rome was finalized. Highly recommend doing that because when we went they were turning back everybody who didn't have a reservation. There was no waitlist, no walk-ins and no cancellations. We got the deep fried artichoke (Carciofi alla giudia), the Amatriciana and the iconic Cacio e pepe served in a cheese bowl. The deep fried artichoke was my first and it was crispy and delicious. The Amatriciana was very flavorful. The Cacio e pepe had the perfect balance of cheese and pepper and was served in a crispy parmigiano reggiano cheese bowl which gave it a unique touch. It definitely lived up to the hype. The tiramisu, paired with their house wine, was the perfect end to one of the most fantastic meals we had in Italy. The location is something I didn't care about much, it is located in a very quiet, almost boring piazza. It somehow seemed more lively in the documentary. All I can say is that a trip to Rome is incomplete without visiting Roma Sparita. read more

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A little disappointed with this restaurant, since it's so highly reviewed. We arrived when it opened and there was already a small line. We didn't have a reservation, but they said we could be seated right away but only outside. There was a pretty big downpour that day which luckily subsided by dinner, and the umbrellas provided enough cover. We ordered the fried artichoke, carbonara, and amatriciana. The fried artichoke was good but I had better ones at other restaurants, which were a bit lighter and crisper. This one was a little too oily and dense. My husband wished the guanciale in the amatriciana was crispy. My carbonara was good but suuuper salty and heavy. I know carbonara is rich, but it seemed a little more than usual. Bread was complimentary but pretty stale. Since we were all seated at opening, service was very slow. The waiters seemed to cater to other people (maybe local) instead of us and it was really hard to get our check. He kept acknowledging us and saying he would come help us but never did. Out of all of the restaurants we went to during our trip, the service was probably the worst. read more

Roma Sparita - Carbonara - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

This spot came highly recommended by Anthony Bourdain, and after dining here, we completely understand why. We were smart enough to make a reservation in advance -- and so glad we did. The place fills up fast, and for good reason. Let's start with the star of the night: the Cacio e Pepe pasta served in a Parmesan bowl. Without exaggeration, it was the best pasta dish I've ever had -- rich, flavorful, and indulgent in all the right ways. Every bite was unforgettable. We started with a few appetizers. The stuffed olives were packed with flavor and a perfect way to begin the meal. The fried artichoke, a Roman classic, wasn't quite our taste, but it's worth trying if you want a true local experience. The atmosphere was full of character, and knowing Bourdain had sat here before added an extra layer of charm. If you're in Rome and love food with soul, this is a stop you can't miss. read more

Roma Sparita - Cacio e Pepe - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

Don't bother. Overhyped. I'm sure it was good at one time however it got some attention.., and with all the crowds to please it's gone way downhill. Our c e p was awful, dry with cut noodles, waiter suggested meatballs which set a new bar for the worst meatballs my Husband has ever had. When we commented to our waiter (who was nice enough and manic probably serving 15 tables at least)) his only come back was "we need to do something to make them unique...". We waited over 30-minutes to pay (ONE person w the card reader running around for all tables). If you're a "box checker" then fine. If you want the best c e p in Roma then do some research and find the one that sounds best to you and don't disappoint yourself by coming here. read more

Roma Sparita has been on my radar since Anthony Bourdain dined here. I know that they are nearby to another famous restaurant but I had to dine here instead. I highly recommend reservations but sometimes life happens and it slips your mind. It happened to me with our fluid itinerary. Knowing this, I arrived early but no one was in line so I went around the corner for some wine. Came back when they opened and the wait was till 9pm and they opened at 7:30pm! I put my name on the list and just waited there. The owner, I'm pretty sure he was the owner, told me there might be a cancellation and if there was a cancellation, he'll seat me right away. A few moments later, I was seated. They have outdoor seating and seating upstairs. This is where I was seated. It was nice and the place was cozy. A menu came and I ordered almost right away since I knew what I wanted. Everyone orders their Cachio e Pepe but I just ordered a Spaghetti Amatriciana and Coda alla Vaccinara since I just had Cachio e Pepe recently. The pasta came out first and it was al dente. The sauce was really good and I was able to finish the serving quickly. It took some time for the kitchen to get my Coda alla Vaccinara out but it was worth the wait. It came with 3 pieces of oxtail. I ate two and got one to go for Mink to try back at the hotel. Everything was delicious and I appreciate the great customer service from the owner. read more

Roma Sparita - Coda alla Vaccinara - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

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Really enjoyed my meal here! Definitely would encourage a reservation. We came on a weekday and there was a line at the door before they even opened. Luckily we had a reservation, although we saw two groups get turned away. The food was really good, I got the Amatriciana pasta and really enjoyed it. read more

Roma Sparita - Amatriciana and other pasta - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

BEST RESTAURANT WE HAVE BEEN TO YET!!! Service was outstanding, food was INCREDIBLE!! Adorable vibes! So happy to have eaten here- going to try to make it again before we leave! If you get a chance DEFINITELY make this a must!! read more

Roma Sparita - Famous Cacio e Pepe - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

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This place was amazing! The service was great and has a cute patio area. We ate outside but the inside super cute as well! Very friendly and the food was 10/10. Would recommend! read more

Roma Sparita - Filetto al Pepe verde - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

This restaurant came recommended by a friend mother who dined there a couple of months ago. Turns out it was right down the street from Da Enzo, and we had passed by it twice! Location is great, in a quiet corner of Trastevere. Reservations are required and they don't open until 7:30 PM they're outside tables as well as inside, and the outside tables are well lit under umbrellas. The menu features lots of iconic Roman dishes like Cacio and Pepe served in a Parmesan crust bowl, Amatriciana, and a steak in green pepper sauce. I recommend a starter of the Roman Meatballs -- they're lightly friend and served atop a sauce made of Romano cheese, butter, flour, and a touch of curcumin for color. The sauce was a silky delight -- I'm lactose intolerant and I can't indulge in cream sauce, so I almost cried at how delicious this dish was! We also shared a tomato brushetta that came bursting with flavor from the sweetest tomatoes I've ever eaten and bright fresh green basil. Two slices were just right for two people. My friend asked for her steak medium and it was prepared perfectly. She said the green pepper sauce was flavorful and complemented her steak nicely. My Amatriciana was served with bucatini that was perfectly al dente, and was tastier than the same dish I had at Da Enzo down the street. Dinner was served with bread and breadsticks but we couldn't! Our server was friendly, kind, and accommodating, and made excellent recommendations based on our preferences. I would recommend booking a table her. read more

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We had dinner here on our first night in rome. We made a reservation via their website. We were quickly seated. Dinner time was busy, so we did have to wait a little bit to order and for our food, which is expected in rome, pretty much every where. Our food was delicious. We mostly enjoyed the cacio e pepe and the pizza, the sausage was easily the best sauasage we've ever had! read more

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This was one of the first restaurants I ever visited in Rome. As my travels have taken me back to Rome a few times I have revisited Roma Sparita. Always a solid bet for great food. A bit off the beaten path and tucked away, you'll still see a few tourists here as the place was made famous to outsiders by Anthony Bourdain, who actually refused to name it since he thought tourists would ruin it. The service is typical Italian, not particularly fast or overly friendly. You're meant to enjoy your time here with whomever you're dining with. The Cacio e Pepe and carbonara are top notch. Other pasta may be equally tasty but I can never bring myself to skip my two favorites. Anytime oxtail is on the menu it's also a must order for me. Has that "nonna" element to it as though your eating it at grandmas table. read more

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My wife and I checked in and were told there was no space available. Others were turned away. We stayed in front of the restaurant searching for a substitute and the host approached us and asked if we wanted to eat inside. We were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful interior. What appeared to be a large family reunion was ongoing and it became obvious why they chose this place since the service and food was amazing. We ordered 3 appetizers and all were great. Afterwards we tried what was considered the best gnocchi we have tasted. Must try! read more

We came here because we read it was Anthony Bourdain's favorite restaurant in Rome. It is within walking distance of the incredibly touristy and crowded Trastevere area ... but it doesn't have that crowded vibe, lines or hoards of tourists. Sadly, while we were there, they were doing construction to the building next door, which was netted off and included noisy power tools ... but we didn't let that stop us from sitting outside on a perfect, sunny day. When the construction is done, the outside will once again be splendid. Make sure to made an advance reservation ... they offer them through email, for those who are traveling and don't want to call. Even though the restaurant was about 60% empty when we went, we saw them turn many walk-ins away. It is more of a formal policy that reservations are required, it seems, and maybe that's why it is not full of tourists, which is good in our book. Before I go into the meal in more detail ... let me just say that the bottom line is that while we enjoyed our meal ... the hype is a bit much. Honestly, it wasn't our best meal in Rome but we left satisfied and felt the value and service was great. Manage your expectations and you'll enjoy the experience. The famous cacio e pepe pasta ... This is the dish Tony raved about ... and others. Their most famous. I was not great friends with him, but I did know him and we hung out once or twice. A lot of people don't know this but when it came to pasta, he had very simple tastes. It was a comfort food for him. He was incredibly happy eating Popeye's macaroni and cheese ... so it is not a surprise he liked this dish ... which is basically a sharper version of Italian mac & cheese. It comes in a bowl made from melted parmesan cheese. Given Tony's dislike for culinary 'schtick' (think Guy Fieri) ... I am quite surprised that alone didn't relegate this place to the cold underbelly of his restaurant contempt. The pasta was cooked perfectly ... I would have thought it would be a bit more creamy/gooey. While it did have a VERY cheesy taste, it was a bit on the dry side to be honest. The pepper wasn't very pronounced and the standout flavour of the dish was sharp pecorino romano. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as great as I thought it would be. Arrabiata ... This was hotter tasting than most Indian curries I've had in India. Our mouths were literally almost numb. Make sure you know what you are getting into here with this dish. The flavors were very good (assuming you like very spicy dishes) but this was almost nuclear. Not sure I'd order this again. Salad ... Everything seemed fresh and it was just an average, everyday green salad with some tomatoes. House red wine ... At 8 Euro per 750 ml bottle, I left drunk and happy. The wine tasted great ... and even better was the price. You couldn't buy a bottle of red wine like this for 8 Euro at any grocery store in Rome. Fried Zucchini Blossom ... You order this by the piece. I had one ... it was good. Almost like a corn dog ... the batter was very thick but somehow, the flavor of the flower came through most. I did not have another zucchini blossom like this during our two week trip to Italy. Dessert ... Fresh strawberries and cream. One of the most expensive desserts on the menu, this was small strawberries cut up with a huge dollop of whipped cream on the top. Honestly, I thought they'd be a bit better. The main flavor was the cream ... the strawberries were slightly sour. I'd skip this, if I had it to do over. Overall, I'd 100% eat here again. The meal was fine ... mostly well above average. The waiter was very clinical ... didn't laugh or make small talk. He treated us like a clockmaker would treat a watch he was working on. Fast, efficient and methodical. We actually liked his lack of ebullience. In the tourist restaurants, waiters are trying too hard to be your buddy, thinking if you are American you will tip 20%. This guy didn't seem to care. The atmosphere is great and feels like 1950's Rome on the outside. The memory and the experience slightly surpassed the food, which was still some of the better food we had in Rome. read more

Anthony Bourdain's favorite place and favorite pasta (Cacio e Pepe) in all of Rome. A must visit for the foodie and the perfect spot for a roman lunch. The cacio e pepe came in a parmesan bowl you can eat, very tasty and unique compared to other places. read more

While many may still come for the Anthony Bordain association, I think coming to Roma Sparita without sitting outside during the summer might miss the mark. Inside I thought that the service was rushed and more cookie cutter than anything else. Was the cacio e pepe good; of course. Better served in a cheese crusty bowl, sure. But something I would go out of my way for in Rome I am not sure. There are so many other places to try I would save this for a time when you still want a good meal but with less expectations. read more

Roma Sparita - More cacio e' pepe... - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

This place is not on a Main Street. In fact, it's tucked away and you're gonna have to walk a little. But trust me, it'll be worth it. There were 4 of us and we couldn't agree on which pasta was to best. So try all 3 of the ones we loved: Carbonara, Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe. Also try the rice Crockett to start. read more

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So we came to Rome to visit the sites but my adult kids helped turn this into a foodie trip as well. We visited some great locations but none were better than Roma Sparita. First, a huge shout out to the Maitre d'. We showed up but did not have a reservation and the Maitre d' said they only took reservations but seeing the look on my son's face and the fact that we were early, he allowed us in. The service was incredible and friendly. They were very patient with these Americans trying to order. My son knew since before we showed up that he was ordering the cacio e pepe and it was an awesome choice. I must say that my Oxtail in tomato sauce was the best dish. It was just so delicious. My other son picked the mussels in garlic sauce. It too was very good. My wife had the cacio e pepe in a parmesan crusted bowl. We started with a fried artichoke and it was very different and very good. It is like eating artichoke chips with a similar texture like a potato chip. The wine list was very nice and we enjoyed a couple of bottles and the boys had some Peroni's. read more

FOOD WAS SO SALTY. We ordered the carbonara and cacio e pepe. Service was fairly quick and ambiance was nice. It's a quaint and cozy restaurant inside with tables outside as well. We called and had a reservation, but showed up early and they sat us right away. read more

What a lovely place! The service from the moment we arrived was excellent. The food... omg! We loved our meal!!! Appetizers and main were incredibly tasty all paired with a bottle of their house white wine. If you are in Rome for a visit, don't pass this place by! read more

One of the best meals in Rome; I thought it definitely lived up to the hype, although some in our party thought the pasta dishes were too salty. The place is nice, and the service was some of the best we had on our visit. We started with fried courgette blossoms, rice croquettes, or suppli, fried stuffed olives, grilled vegetables, and prosciutto & mozzarella The suppli were not very flavorful; the courgette were good. I think the rest was pretty good. For mains, we had the cacio e pepe, carbonara, and a fillet steak with pepper sauce. I thought the cacio e pepe was awesome. I'm sure you can read about it in most other reviews. As mentioned, opinions were split on the pasta, especially the carbonara, which some loved but others thought was way too salty (also noted in other reviews). Our waiter was super nice and attentive. Great service and experience. We did not do dessert; we opted for gelato later. I would definitely put this place on your list for Rome. read more

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Heaven. That's it, that's the tweet. FANTASTIC food - and not just the famed cacio e pepe, which lives up to the hype. Tonight we also had grilled steak, fried artichoke, and cod as well. All best in class. Thank you Roma Sparita! read more

Made lunch reservations 2 weeks in advance. Impossible to get a table otherwise. Very strict on their reservations. Of course got the famous cacio de pepe dish. Outdoor seating was very enjoyable! read more

Roma Sparita - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

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Great meal at Roma Sparita. We came here inspired by the Stanley Tucci show "Searching for Italy." He mentioned that Anthony Bourdain came to this great little Roman gem. My wife wanted to make the pilgrimage to enjoy 'the best Cacio e Pepe in Roma'. She was not disappointed! The Burrata appetizer was a great starter dish. The burrata was fluffy, and the ham was not greasy at all. My son had the Tagliatelle a la Carbonara, and I had the Grilled Lamb. Both were very good, although I think his was better. My wife LOVED her Cacio e Pepe and gobbled it all up (including cheese bowl). My daughter had a Margharita pizza, which was made very well. My 'Crunchy Cherry' dessert was my personal favorite dish of the night. And the Chocolate Mouse and Tiramisu were both very good. The wine we had was recommended by the server. It was from the nearby Lazio region. We really enjoyed it. I would recommend if U see it on a menu somewhere or at a neighborhood market (see pics). read more

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What can I say about this place? This is Anthony Bourdain's favorite restaurant and he knew where to go eat. Cacio E Pepe was absolutely the best in Rome. I couldn't get enough of it. We actually ordered an extra because it was so good. We also got filet mignon and a pepper sauce, and a couple of other things. read more

Roma Sparita - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

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Food was average at best! Pasta was over cooked and dry!!! Server was rude and the host told us we need to pay because he needed the table. We were there for 1:15 minutes. Rude service and rushed dinner. Told my travel agent to take it off her list of restaurants. First time ever my husband didn't tip at a restaurant! read more

An almost empty terrace and I approached for a table for one for lunch and the host looked me up and down and said they were full of reservations. Never been turned away from a restaurant so I looked and repeated...you are full? Ok. There's too many wonderful places in Roma to go. I turned the corner and found a lovely place with a warm and happy staff. read more

Terrible service and rude wait staff- asked them to be aware of a shellfish allergy and basically told to f**k off. Food was sub par, and not memborable. read more

Really overrated. I'm going to hope that our server was having an off night--I believe his repeated attempts to force me to order first at our table of six were intended as a joke, but it went on so long as to be uncomfortable, and the pesantic vibe seemed consistent throughout the meal. Food was pretty good, presentation spotty. At 7 pm, early for dinner in Rome, several of the desserts were unfortunately sold out. Those we had were just ok. Overall, the experience was just meh for me. read more

This was the best food during our entire stay in Rome! We enjoyed amazing pastas and shared multiple dishes so that we could taste a variety of menu items. I highly recommend Roma Sparita and will definitely go when I visit Rome again! read more

At Roma Sparita arrived with no reservations ! With a roll of the head staff eyes and making sure that all staff knew we didn't have reservations, we were in! Seated in the corner so excited, it didn't matter! We were going to have an out of body experience with this Caccio E Pepe Unfortunately disappointed! Famous Anthony Bourdain dish was good... not great! Wine Clemente VII was recommended by wait staff was not a good Chianti in general! I give this place a 2 out of 5! As that is exactly what it truly unfortunately deserved! read more

They didn't have gluten free pasta which is the easiest thing to serve. My husband has the porcini paste and said it had not taste. read more

When i saw that Anthony Bourdain special on Roma. I wanted to go to every place he went to. When i saw him order Caccio e Pepe. I tried it the first time I was here in some tourist restaurant in rome. Didnt quite like it, quite frankly, didnt even quite look like the dish i saw on tv. So i told myself that when i return i will hunt this restaurant down and have whatever the late Anthony Bourdain had and maybe even fabricate it for myself. So we came, got seated and barked our order to the waiter. Fried Artichoke: This was a first for me and my hubby. The outer petals were a little bit tougher, but ate like fibry chips. You gotta put a little effort in chewing it. Kind of like pumpkin seeds. Not everyone likes it, but I do!! And i'll probably be fabricating this dish too. Fried Prawns: These guys were pretty good. Seasoned very well and cooked perfectly. Best eaten by unshelling them with your hands. It's just easier that way. Trust me! Caccio E Pepe: This dish was the truth. I can understand why this would be Tony's favorite pasta dish. Simple and totally extraordinary. I will totaly fabricate this dish at home with the flavors i experienced from this plate. The restaurant a located about a mile out from the last tourist trap castle/building/church/fountain. So most, if not, all of the patrons are locals. The setting definitely rustic, but who cares! Service was dope, the food was super yummy and I would dine here again and again and again if given the chance. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day!!! read more

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Rome is full of restaurants welcoming the tourist customer. There is no need for any of us to spend our hard earned money in an establishment with an entire staff of such rude,condescending jerks. Frankly, hundreds of restaurants in Rome are so happy to have the chance to make your experience wonderful. How good should the food be to be treated so poorly? Da Enzo is worth the wait. read more

This is a highly overrated place, and I'd recommend skipping it and trying another restaurant. Food 3/5: Roma Sparita is famous for their Cacio E Pepe. We tried that, their mixed vegetables, and another one of their pastas. Their cacio e Pepe was good (and had good presentation) but I've had better cacio e Pepe in the US so wouldn't say it's absolutely amazing. Outside of the cacio e Pepe, everything else was average. Service 0/5: It's been a while since I've had such bad service at a theoretically "nice" restaurant. List of mishaps below: 1) We asked for a dish, the waiter "recommended" another dish because he likes it more. We thank him and said we still want the first one and he then tells us the restaurant doesn't have it today = waiter was lying about his "recommendation". 2) Bathrooms were not flushing (confirmed with another table) 3) Bread for table comes after we're done with half of our main dish 4) Waiter gives us black pepper in a shaker that's empty. Takes 10-15 minutes for us to flag him down and replace it 5) I know it's Italy, but even here I've never found it harder to actually get my bill / pay. There was a lot of stuff happening with our waiter in the interim that I won't go into but it left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

Roma Sparita - Pizza Near Me - Rome, RM

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We came for the cacio e Pepe served in a bowl made of melted Parmesan cheese. We also had the amatriciana, steak with green peppercorn sauce, and porcini mushroom dish after starting with the fresh mozzarella appetizer. The cacio e Pepe was touted as one of the very best in Rome and it was fine. In the absence of the Parmesan bowl, the dish itself was average on our visit. The amatriciana was fine also. The steak was probably the highlight, and the mushroom dish was also good but perhaps not a good value. Overall we were satisfied with the food, service, and ambiance. Definitely reservations are required. read more

Totally overhyped after made popular by Antony Bordain. Line to get in before they open at 7 pm but you won't get in nonetheless without reservations. Food is good but not anything extra by Italian standards. As a matter of fact my pasta was dry and strips of beef were quite bland so when I asked for a little salt and pepper and parmigiano waitress was agast and made a comment to the tune that chef knows the best. Not to my taste, sorry. Very reasonably priced which is always a plus. read more

The food wasn't that great. The owner was quite rude. It's not all that the best seat is inside not outside who wants to see construction

Went there for what most of us tourists go there for... the cacio e pepe. Ordered that, some lamb chops & another dish I can't recall. Both of the other dishes were far better than the "signature" dish. It was so salty that we couldn't eat it. Nobody else seemed to be eating it either, not even the locals. It was late & so we didn't bother sending it back. Just ate the other dishes & left, after drinking plenty of water. read more

The food was pretty good however the waiter was not very friendly. We gave our drink order first and in a rude manner, he said "food first". Not sure why we had to order food first but he could have been more polite about it. We were seated inside the restaurant - seems like that's where the foreigners are seated. Eventually the waiter did warm up to us but that initial greeting had already done its damage. So many other fantastic and yummy restaurants in Rome that we tried and the service was much better. read more