The Roman Resto You Need to Know About

There are many famous and fabulous restaurants in Rome but my favourite, Ai Piani, isn’t as famous as I think it should be, perhaps because of its location.

It’s set in the Parioli neighbourhood, a well-heeled residential enclave north of the city centre just outside the concentrated tourist areas. In fact, if you were dropped here you wouldn’t necessarily know you were in Rome – there are no cobblestone piazzas, no Bernini fountains, no terracotta-coloured palazzos. Be warned, there is also no sign at Ai Piani – other than a generic awning marked “Ristorante” – but there is a logo’d welcome mat to let you know you’ve arrived. Update: since my last visit they have added a handsome dark-green, and highly visible, Ai Piani-stamped awning above the door.

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The restaurant itself is charming: a long, wood-panelled room designed to accommodate the umbrella pine that grows through it and is also depicted on the welcome mat.

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The onus is on fresh fish and classic Sardinian dishes – like the carb heaven that is Sardinian flatbread topped with fried potatoes.

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We also ordered a fritto misto which included anchovies (they’re on Evan’s plate behind the artichokes).

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When our server saw that we liked these she brought us flourless house-made crackers topped with raw anchovies, pickled red onion and a fresh basil leaf. She said it was one of their specialties and wanted us to try it. I’m so glad she did as it was sublime and would reform any anchovy-phobe with its gentle salty and sweet freshness. A true appetizer that made us want to eat more.

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Next up, paccheri with white fish, fresh tomato sauce and Taggiasca olives.

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The crazy delicious spaghetti with clams and bottarga.

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We enjoyed all of this after dropping our bags at the hotel and hitting the ground running post a no-sleep transatlantic flight! The food and service were a tonic and testament to how great this little gem is. Bonus: we were the only touristos. Italian families and well-dressed business men made up the lunch crowd here.

I mentioned the no-sleep flight for a reason!

I mentioned the no-sleep flight for a reason!

We stayed at the nearby Lord Byron, an old-world hotel full of quirky charm.

I want front steps like The Lord Byron’s.

I want front steps like The Lord Byron’s.

We had drinks in the Il Salotto Lounge, the elegant, basement-level cocktail bar where white-jacketed career bartenders work their magic.

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This is us looking super-edgy and cool.

I love how amongst the carefully crafted canapes, they serve Pringles, neatly fanned.

I love how amongst the carefully crafted canapes, they serve Pringles, neatly fanned.

Ai Piani was just a five minute stroll from our hotel but it is worth seeking out wherever you are in Rome - a special place indeed.