Sunday Lunch in Rome

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Sunday Lunch in Rome: "

Tagliolini alle vongole at Piperno.

Last night I got back from a much needed holiday by the sea (read: fish binge). Nevertheless, it wasn’t shocking when I woke up this morning with spaghetti alla vongole on the brain. Being Sunday in Rome, when many restaurants are closed, I didn’t have a wealth of options to choose from for lunch. Fortunately, there are a handful of excellent places in and around the center to choose from. This afternoon, I dined at Piperno, an old school Roman joint in the Ghetto and, let me tell you, their handmade tagliolini alle vongole hit the spot. Here are some places to track down a great Sunday lunch in Rome:

Piperno: An institution serving Roman Jewish cuisine and lots of offal as well as land and sea inspired pasta dishes. Please ignore the out of season carciofi alla giudia. Closed Sunday dinner and Mondays. Via Monte de’ Cenci, 9.

La Campana: Reputedly Rome’s oldest dining establishment. It serves traditional, seasonal cucina romana. Closed Mondays. Vicolo della Campana, 18.

Fettucine con ragu di vitello e tartufo nero at Taverna dei Fori Imperiali.

Taverna dei Fori Imperiali: My local (which happens to be wildly popular with other locals and tourists) serves Rome- and Sicily-inspired dishes. I go for the pappardelle al ragu’ con tartufo nero (thick homemade noodles with veal and black truffles) when it is in season. Book well in advance. Closed Tuesdays. Via Madonna dei Monti, 9.

Colline Emiliane: Serves some of the best fresh pasta on the planet. This rather small family run restaurant serves cucina emiliana, including tagliatelle alla bolognese and lasagna al forno. It is very popular for Sunday lunch (and every other meal) so book in advance. Closed Sunday dinner and Monday. Via degli Avignonesi, 22.

Babington’s Tea Room: The delectable offerings begin at brunch with rich and satisfying eggs benedict or English breakfast. At lunch, opt for the life changing gazpacho or burger, the only one in the entire city even remotely worth mentioning. Open daily until 8:15PM. Piazza di Spagna, 23.

Gnocchetti alla Piperno.

Pizzeria La Montecarlo: Rome’s best pizzerie (Sforno and Da Remo) are closed Sunday. La Montecarlo may not be the best pizza ever, but it is reliable, the fritti are good (for being frozen), and there are plenty of tables inside and out. Closed Monday. Vicolo Savelli, 13.

As always, here are a few places I dislike intensely, find overrated, and would discourage visiting for Sunday lunch, or any other meal for that matter: Pierluigi, Vecchia Roma, Gusto, and Checco Er Carrettiere.

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