Get ready to savor the flavors of Rome! This is the fourth installment in our culinary journey through Italy, and this time we’re diving into the heart of the Eternal City at Santo Palato, a charming trattoria that’s quickly become a local favorite.
A Challenging Start
Our journey to Santo Palato began with a bit of a hiccup. We naively assumed finding a taxi in Rome would be a breeze, but we were sorely mistaken. Imagine this: 7:30 PM reservation, 7:00 PM departure, and we’re still stuck a stone’s throw from our apartment, hopelessly waving at passing cabs. They all seemed to be ignoring us! We even called a few taxi services, but couldn’t get through. Desperation began to set in – we were running late.
Fortunately, just as we were about to give up hope, a taxi pulled over to drop off a passenger. We were thrilled! He agreed to take us, but then dropped a bombshell: hailing taxis in Rome is nearly impossible. The secret? They prefer to respond to requests from taxi apps! Apparently, they can turn their meters on when they accept the request, not when they actually pick you up. He gave us some app recommendations and sure enough, on our way back from the restaurant, we snagged a ride in just ten minutes. The catch? It cost twice as much as our ride to the restaurant!
Tourist Trap? Not Quite.
This taxi app proved to be a double-edged sword. While we managed to use it the next morning, later that day in the tourist zone it was useless – no taxis were available. Could it be that tourism is back in Rome in a big way, but some of the tourist infrastructure is lagging behind?
We decided to embrace the challenge. It didn’t take long to discover the metro and buses were a fantastic alternative. They were fast, affordable, and even enjoyable!
Santo Palato: A Feast for the Senses
Now, back to Santo Palato. We arrived at 8:00 PM, twenty minutes late for our reservation, to find a mostly empty restaurant. We thought, “No wonder they didn’t mind holding our table.” But then, the place started to fill up rapidly! By 9:00 PM, it was packed! A reminder that Italians, like Indians, eat much later than Americans.
We booked our table through their website, which I highly recommend! It’s a cozy space with limited seating, even with the outdoor area. But let me tell you, the food was absolutely stellar.
The Menu: A Symphony of Flavors
The menu at Santo Palato is concise and intriguing. A printed menu is complemented by a specials board, which changes often, depending on what’s fresh at the market. We indulged in a selection of dishes from both.
Our antipasti were a highlight of the evening. The trippa alla Romana from the printed menu was a revelation: tender tripe simmered in a delicious tomato sauce and finished with pecorino. It paired beautifully with the cicoria ripassata (twice-cooked chicory) from the specials. I wish more American restaurants served sauteed chicory! Another winning dish was the thinly sliced beef heart cured a la prosciutto with tomato-smeared bread. The boys demolished this one!
The pasta course was an absolute triumph! We sampled both classic Roman pastas: rigatoni alla carbonara and spaghettone all’amatriciana. And we added a special of linguine with bacala (salt cod) and peperone crusco (dried peppers). Every dish was exquisite, making it tough to choose a favorite. I think the linguine might have edged out the others, but only slightly.
To finish our savory journey, we enjoyed a secondi dish: vitello tonnato (roasted veal in tuna sauce). The veal was perfectly cooked and the tuna sauce was light and delicate, complementing the veal stock beautifully. The capers, fermented lemon zest, and parsley added a burst of freshness.
Wine & Service
Of course, no meal is complete without wine! I asked our server, a young man with hip vibes, for some recommendations and he suggested two organic wines from the region. Both were technically rosés but looked more orange than pink and had a mineral and funky flavor profile. They were exceptional, especially the second one, which had a fascinating story behind it.
The staff at Santo Palato were friendly, helpful, and fluent in English. They were a pleasure to interact with and provided excellent guidance on the food and wine.
The Bottom Line
For all this deliciousness, we paid a mere 124 Euros, or about $135 for four people. A steal! We’d pay far more for far less quality food in the Twin Cities. If you’re heading to Rome, don’t miss out on Santo Palato! It’s a must-visit. We certainly plan to return when we go back to Rome.
Stay tuned for more culinary adventures from our Roman escapades! Next up, a more casual lunch from the following day. We’ll be sharing that soon!
