Il Giardino Romano
About
Roman
Price Range : Under $10 (€€)
Il Giardino Romano is the best place to spend your leisure time tasting delicious food and enjoying the nice atmosphere. After visiting our restaurant you will definitely have a wish to come back!
Location
Adress: Via del Portico d'Ottavia 18, Rome, 00186
Phone: +39 06 68809661
Work Hours
Business info
- list_altTakes ReservationsYes
- directions_carDeliveryNo
- move_to_inboxTake-outYes
- turned_in_notAccepted CardsCredit
- thumb_upGood ForLunch, Dinner
- accessibilityGood for KidsYes
- groupGood for GroupsYes
- new_releasesAttireCasual
- insert_emoticonAmbienceCasual
- volume_upNoise LevelQuiet
- local_barAlcoholFull Bar
- transit_enterexitOutdoor SeatingYes
- wifiWi-FiFree
- tvHas TVNo
- fastfoodCatersNo
Reviews
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Haifa D.
One of the best restaurants in Rome! The food was so tasty and yummy. The stuff is more than great! Thank you so much for your service and for your customer care! I'll never forget this place.
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Trish W.
Little trattoria in Jewish quarter that seemed to have as many Italians as foreigners dining there. It serves traditional Italian dishes but specializes in artichokes including flattened and fried ones, Jewish style. Of course I had the Jewish style, and it was an experience in textures and flavors: the thin edges of leaves were both chewy and crisp like thick homemade potato chips. The flavor was sweet and nutty, recommend 9/10!
Next I had cacio e pepe with little flecks of artichokes that lent an additional umami layer of flavor to the salty, peppery handmade pasta. What's up with Italians and their ultra-al dente pasta, regardless of whether it's dry pasta or fresh? On this, my second trip to Italy, I'm finding that all the restaurants cook their pasta way more underdone than what I understand American style al dente to be. So I get that, after multiple plates at many eateries, it's my problem and not their deficiency. But jeez Louise I'm seriously thinking about asking them to over-cook mine for my savage American palate.
We also had ravioli with orange sauce-too sweet for my taste; and osso buco-tough, undercooked (is this an Italian theme?) and not full flavored.
The worst thing about Il Giardino Romano is they charge €1.50 per person for pre-sliced bread, dried out at the edges because it's been sitting around in baskets for hours before serving. What is up with that?
Service was perfunctory. The electricity went out for a couple of minutes toward the end of our meal. The staff went about their business in the dark (it was late afternoon so not pitch black but still too dark to see your food or get up and walk to the ladies room)--so hilarious to watch them acting like it was nothing.
All in all I'd say go here maybe if you're in the area. If you like artichokes try them out, but literally every restaurant in the area does Jewish artichokes or fried or braised ones, so the ones here may but be that special. -
Susan D.
A delicious lunch. Not a complaint about the service. Our meals arrived hot. Everyone tried something different, eggplant, veal, and pasta. Nobody left a crumb. We are fans of the Jewish style artichoke. Really anything artichoke. I can see how others may find eating artichokes cooked in the Jewish style unpleasant. They are a little greasy and prickly, but the big payoff is the creamy juicy heart. You know they are fresh because there someone in front of the restaurant prepping them. We left happy.
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Chris F.
Spaghetti Carbonara was out of this world good. Exactly what I was looking for in Rome. Artichoke was also very good both Roman and Jewish versions.
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Craig G.
There are many choices near the Portico in the Jewish Ghetto, but don't pass up Il Giardino.
I knew I wasn't going to leave Rome without having fried artichokes, and this was the first restaurant I came across without a wait. Right away, I was seated at a sidewalk table. The carciofi alla giudia were a given, and I followed that with cacio e pepe.
Those artichokes may be the best vegetable I've ever tasted. It's a simple preparation: trim and flatten an artichoke, fry in olive oil, season with salt and pepper. And I'll never be able to get an artichoke to hit those nutty, sweet notes like the ones here. The cacio e pepe had fresh pasta cooked al dente, seasoned with a jolt of pepper, and topped with just enough freshly grated cheese. The chicory added a nice bit of colour and texture, to boot. Chased with a nice glass of Nastro Azzurro lager, it was a great meal for my first night in Rome.
Prices are decent and service is efficient, but beware: you WILL get fresh bread (and €1,50 added to your bill) whether you like it or not.