Eating in Rome: Pigneto Quarantuno

I had a fantastic meal last night at the ultra-hip Pigneto Quarantuno where tables flow onto the streets in the pedestrian island of the Pigneto neighborhood located just beyond Porta Maggiore between the Via Prenestina and the Via Casilina. It is definitely off the tourist radar and just sounds far away from the center: Pigneto is a mere 5 minute walk from the city walls.

Pigneto Quarantuno is a trattoria and wine bar serving an array of Roman dishes, both meat and fish based. In the evenings, the outdoor tables are reserved for diners. Drinkers are welcome at the indoor tables and at the barstools. I started with a seafood salad which featured what was quite possibly the freshest calamari I have ever eaten. My friend Jessica opted for the house pasta, gnocchi with smoked mozzarella and ricotta...amazing. We both got tuna for our second course; I chose a grilled tuna steak-simple and delicious, while Jessica selected the tuna tartar served with a generous amount of lemon juice and capers. She won the battle of the second courses. It would not be an exaggeration to describe the tuna tartar as life-altering. I never want to eat cooked fish again. We washed it all down with Belsario’s Verdicchio di Matelica.

Pigneto Quarantuno

Via del Pigneto, 41/43 (zona pedonale)

0670399483

Eating in Rome: Pigneto Quarantuno

Sunday, July 15, 2007