There are too many things in the world that I can’t explain.
I don’t mean astrophysics and neuroschistosomiasis, which I also can’t explain. However, I know there are people in the world who can, which frees me up to think about other things.
What I suppose I mean is, there are too many things in the world that simply cannot be explained. These things cannot be understood or accepted.
It is not that I want to ignore the bad, or pretend that nothing is happening or think that what is happening only applies to someone other than me.
Rather, I want to spend my time and energy emphasizing the good. There is so much good.
Good people, good places, good thoughts.
Retrobottega is more than good.
Retrobottega is a food lab, rather than a restaurants.
Labs are interesting places. Labs push the boundaries of what we already think we know. Labs test and innovate.
Retrobottega is doing all of this on a small street a few minutes walk from the Pantheon.
I was so excited to be there, catching up with Sara (good people go well with good food), that I didn’t even care that my camera was less than focused.
Sorry about that.
But the red shrimp with burrata and cured lemon peel was calling out to me. There was no time to be messing around with settings.
Because Retrobottega is not technically a restaurant, it doesn’t take reservations.
It has a wide mix of first-come-first-serve seating from side tables, bar seats and a communal table.
Next time I go (oh, yes. I will be back) I want to sit at the bar. The open concept kitchen creates the dishes before your eyes.
And what glorious dishes they are.
Spaghetti di grano arso (‘burnt’ wheat spaghetti), frigitelli (mild southern Italian pepper), e polpo (octopus).
When I saw it on the menu, I knew. I knew I had to get it.
I woke up dreaming of this pasta.
Let’s see it one more time, shall we?
(I am still dreaming of this pasta).
Go.
Retrobottega
Via della Stelletta, 4
00186 Roma (Centro Storico – near the Pantheon)
Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 12:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Closed Mondays.
This was the first place I put on the itinerary for our upcoming trip in September – can’t wait!
Yes yes yes! Let me know what you think!
Went last night and OMG was it great. Sat at the counter and watched all the dishes made. Please go and enjoy !
Woo hoo! Go go go!
We’re here in Rome for our honeymoon. We tried this based on finding your blog. By far the most amazing plates we have ever had!
SO glad to hear that!! Happy you had an amazing meal — and congrats!