Image by Sanacafè website

Sanacafè is a novel concept restaurant, it blends my three favorite food notions: healthy, convenient, and chic. Sanacafè seats 80 in its tiny 200 square meters and outdoor sidewalk, but offers a unique formula: Michelin star-type products and service, at a totally democratic price.

Sanacafè’s innovative cuisine techniques reflect the desire of Chef Alessandro Circiello-some may have seen him on Rai2 newscast as nutrition consultant-to maintain foods wholesome, exalting the local Mediterranean, sustainable farmed, organic and seasonally sourced super-foods employed. Circiello’s methods reflect this too: lower cooking temperatures, and sous-vide in vacuum glass containers to preserve flavor and maintain nutrients and beneficial properties intact.

My steak tomato, stuffed with tiny cacio e pepe tube-shaped pasta, was only surpassed by the signature veal cooked in red wine reduction with vegetable noodles, all lavishly paired to a glass of organic red wine. There’s also a coffee tasting menu, a juice bar, some very interesting craft beers produced in local microbreweries, and a wide selection of vitamin drinks and tisanes available.

The ambiance is friendly, and at the siShop section, guests can purchase the actual food, wine, design products, and table settings used in the kitchen and dining room.

This place is ideal for a casual girlfriend get-together, a business lunch, a custom designed party, a relaxing slow moment, or simply a chance to dine well. And healthy.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Sanacafè | Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Restaurants (Healthfood) | Lunch menu € 16
Via Pompeo Magno 12C | Vatican & Prati | +390696035669
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 00:00

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Image by Eleonora Baldwin

I love L’Arcangelo’s menu, it’s like reading poetry.

Owner and Chef Arcangelo Dandini is loved by foodies as one of Rome’s finest. He cooks up some of the most chic cucina romana in town, and names his classic dishes with creative monikers, like “A glance to the Portico d’Ottavia” for Roman Jewish specialties, and “Arcangelo e l’Inferno,” to define a spicy game dish. I’m particularly fond of the “Tormento Aromatico in Quattro Passaggi,” a four-dish aromatic tasting menu. But it’s not all verbal fantasy: Dandini’s recipes are inspired by ancient Roman dishes, Renaissance preparations, and the cucina povera of the 19th century.

His carbonara, cacio e unto (aka, Gricia) and the stewed oxtail are truly amazing. I love the fried eel, or the herring, sweetbreads and spongecake antipasto. The Gnocchi alla Matriciana (served only on Thursdays) are definitely the best in Rome, and should not be missed.

But clever gourmands also flock here for the slabs of foie gras served on plasmon biscuits (the ones fed in milk to Italian infants) and crumbled candy; or the mackerel on potato cream; and the quintessential offal queen: tripe cooked in tomato sauce with mint and pecorino cheese. As far as desserts go, the citrus custard bigné and the bizarre yet incredibly tasty liquid white chocolate with capers, candied ginger and olive oil win the gold.

Have Arcangelo’s wife Stefania pour you a glass of wine, and allow his poetry inspire you, with every tasty morsel.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Arcangelo | Restaurants (Local)
Via G. G. Belli 59 | Vatican & Prati | +39063210992
Mon – Fri 13:00 – 15:30 & 20:00 – 23:00, Sat 20:00 – 23:00

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