This evening we were in the bohemian Trastevere area of Rome, and this local restaurant Al Piatto Ricco came up tops on Tripadvisor for the vicinity as we were looking for somewhere to have dinner.
The ambience was cosy and homely, and lots of old photographs on the wall seemed to suggest that it had a pretty long history and that it had been frequented by many celebrities. As with most restaurants in Rome, service was basic but efficient. We ordered 2 dishes each and shared.
Minestrone soup with macaroni
This popular Italian vegetable soup came in a surprisingly hearty portion that would have sufficed as a full meal for smaller appetites. Perfect for the chilly early spring weather! It was extremely good too; chunks of sweet and juicy vegetables in a thick tomato-based broth, coupled with al dente macaroni, made for a remarkably substantial and wholesome starter, with delightfully rich and complex flavours. There were definitely more vegetables than broth, unlike inferior and bland foreign versions which are often nothing more than watered-down tinned tomato soup with a few perfunctory chunks of chopped vegetables. You could taste the freshness of every ingredient in this bowl. I liked it a lot more than I was expecting to!
Risotto della casa
This is the only risotto dish on the menu, which also happens to be a chef's recommendation. This homemade seafood risotto left us gaping in awe when it was served; it was almost spilling out of the large plate! They are really not stingy with their portions in this place. Every grain remained well-defined with a pleasant firm bite, while the rich seafood cream sauce and generous chunks of seafood (clam, squid, prawn etc.) with which the rice had been mixed made for an incredibly luxurious and tasty experience. We were starting to fill up and wondered whether we had ordered too much food, if the portions so far were indicative of what was to come!
Spaghetti alle vongole
Another chef's recommendation, and the only spaghetti dish in this restaurant with that honour. It was not difficult to see why; the clams were very fresh and succulent, and perfectly complemented by equally juicy baby tomatoes and zucchini strips. The pasta had a lovely firm bite, and it had soaked up the full-bodied flavour of the clam sauce in which it had been tossed. Utterly delicious and satisfying.
Roasted fish of the day (swordfish)
They're pretty proud of their seafood in this restaurant, and this dish (yet another chef's recommendation) was the best proof. The fish was firm and succulent, and it had been roasted with minimal seasoning to allow its natural flavour to shine through. A touch of olive oil and a sprinkling of basil were all that were needed to complete this excellent fillet. A side of fresh rocket salad with its spicy and nutty flavours was very refreshing and enhanced the wholesome character of this dish.
Mixed fried fish
I've come to realise that this popular battered dish on Italian menus doesn't actually contain any fish, but rather a mixture of (typically) squid and prawn/scampi. Not complaining though - I love them all! The whole prawns (very decent-sized I must add) and squid rings remained moist and firm but not rubbery or tough, which can happen all too easily even if slightly overcooked. The quick deep-frying had enhanced their fresh sweet taste even further, and the batter was crisp and light, making for an extremely moreish dish which was gone all too soon!
As you might have sensed by now, we were truly stuffed after all this food and had to forgo dessert, which was a shame as it would probably have been really good too. Well, at least we had covered some of their signature dishes! Prices here are astonishingly reasonable for the generous portions offered, and the overall atmosphere is peaceful and familial - highly recommended if you are in the area.
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