EAT > Armando Al Parthenon, Rome (16/20)

When you ask for recommendations on where to get an excellent traditional meal in Rome you get the same recommendation again and again. Armando al Pantheon its brilliant. A fairly simple restaurant that takes Roman dishes and perfects them.

Started in 1961 by Armondo Gargioli, initially it was a wine bar with a kitchen, but the food became the predominate over the next decade and in the seventies brothers Claudio and Fabrizio joined their father in the business, Fabrizio taking on front of house and the cellar and Claudio joined his father Armondo in the kitchen. Armondo retired from the business in 2000 but the brothers have continued to build on the success of the restaurant.

Today the brothers are both in the kitchen and their children are also in the restaurant, it is a true family business.

FOOD >

Expect an excellent range of antipasti to start such as ‘Bruschetta con stracciatella, alici di Sciacca e pistacchio (€13) which is two delicious pieces of bruschetta with stracciatella cheese and anchovies from Sciacca, topped with ground pistachio, yum! The classic Parmigiana di Melanzane is fried slices of eggplant, each layered with parmesan cheese, ricotta, tomato sugo, fresh basil and baked (´€14) and for the more adventurous, Bottonocino di pane con Coratella d’abbacchio e cicoria ripassata – a selection of lamb offal, heart, liver and lungs served with bread and sauted chicory. (€13)

Primi Piatti features some classic pasta’s that Almondo Al Pantheon is so famous for including the Spaghetti alla gricia, which is served with roman pecorino cheese, pork cheek and black pepper (€16). The Rigatoni all’Amatriciana (€16), Spaghetti alla Carbonara (€16). Or the rigatoni con la Pajata, a classic short pasta with the intestine of young veal, tomato sauce and parmigiano cheese (€16).

Secondi has plenty of delicious dishes to choose from but we love the Saltimbocca alla Romana, veal with ham and sage, cooked with white wine (€19). The Coscia di Anatra alle Prugne looks amazine, braised duck leg with plums (€18). If that is not enough there is Vittelo Tonnato, Roman Lamb and Trippa Alla Roma (Tripe in a tomato and cheese sauce with black pepper and mint) that last one is not for me but I am sure it tastes fantastic if that is your thing.

For Dolci the selection is also classic with Tiramisu the hero (€8) but also a tart, a crumble with apple and ginger and yoghurt cream with berry compote.

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Image Credit | Almondo Al Pantheon

WINE >

The wine list is quite extensive with wines from around Italy predominately in the €20 – €40 range but you will be sure to find a bottle or three that suit your palate and your budget. Which is not always the case in Roma.

CONCLUSION >

No question people come here because it is a famous location, lots of celebrities have been spotted here over the years too (just check out the gallery on their website) but the main reason to go is that the food traditional recipes excellently prepared and that combined with generous service and a nice glass of wine is just what you want.

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