This past week marked a strange milestone for me. I moved to Rome to go to graduate school, and on Friday I took my last exam. It’s very weird to know that it’s over. Oh. Except for that little dissertation thing I have to write in the next few months.
Even though we were in a black hole of case studies and stress, it was imperative we take a pizza break. With a great tip from Katie Parla, we decided to haul ourselves out to Montesacro to try Pizzeria Tonda.
Katie recently put together a list of the Top 10 Best Pizza in Rome for the Guardian, and it’s worth eating your way through all the recommendations. But Pizzeria Tonda is so new that it wasn’t open in time for the list.
I pulled myself out of a graduate school haze because visions of cacio e pepe pizza danced in my head. I LOVE cacio e pepe. I love it at Roma Sparita best of all, but I often make it at home when I need some delicious comfort food.
It’s no surprise that I ordered the cacio e pepe pizza:
And it was too much. Far too much. I tried scraping off a little cheese on top but it was overwhelming.
The diavola had a great kick to it.
But it was honestly the humble marinara that won us over. The thing that is special about Tonda is the crust. Fluffy, chewy and crispy all at the same time. In other words, they have magic dough.
The marinara was the table favorite because the simple ingredients let the dough shine. It reminded me of my pizza experience at Da Michele. I’m not saying that the pizza at Tonda is like Da Michele. It’s not. But both are delicious in their own ways and it all comes down to the dough in both cases.
I couldn’t do it. I could not finish the cacio e pepe pizza. I’ll wholeheartedly agree with the comments on Parla Food that suggest sharing it. Two small pieces were more than enough for me.
Serious bonus points for the friendliest waitress I have ever encountered in Rome. They are rare and a thing to be cherished.
We went early and snagged the last table, so make sure you call ahead to make reservations.
Via Valle Corteno 31, Montesacro
+39068180960
This looks baller. Better than the place you took me and that was pretty good too.
Hope you’re enjoying being done with class!
Great suggestion! Cannot wait to try the marinara pizza the next time I head south, thanks for the recommendation and good luck on your dissertation!
Congrats on finishing your exams! Hang in there, you’re almost through with it all!
Couldn’t want pizza more right now. And yes, auguri on those exams and best of luck with the dissertation 🙂
Sweet Jesus that looks insanely delicious…… drooling
AHHH I was just in Rome and after reading this post I’ve decided that I didn’t eat enough pizza!
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