Pigneto Quarantuno

Wanted to check out Pigneto. It was cool. If you sit outside here, be prepared for interesting people watching and some crazies! The foccachia was DELICIOUS. As was the pasta with mint. The mains — the meats — were not as strong. I thought BBQ sauce was a weird choice.

Best pasta on earth… Everything was perfect. The waiters were very friendly. That is food !!! Grazie mille

One of the favorite restaurants we ate at in Rome. Our first day we had lunch there, and the meal was scrumptious. I had the special of lentil soup with a smoked sausage that was so delicious I can still remember it. That made us return here for our last dinner in Rome and again, we weren’t disappointed. I had a spaghetti puttanesca that was top-​notch. My wife had macaroni with pumpkin and caramelized onions that was outstanding. We started with a mixed antipasto of meats and cheese.
This is not a typical Italian menu, although they do have some of the more predictable items you find elsewhere. Order from the daily specials if you really want to get an idea of how good this place is, and make sure you look at their wine list which has surprising depth.
Just a note that the street where Pigneto Quarantuno is located is a bit funky, but don’t let that deter you from trying this place. There’s lots of activity at multiple restaurants and my wife and I never once felt uneasy about the location. I can tell you that this restaurant will be on my «must» list the next time I visit Roma! It’s easily accessible by the 105, 81 and 810 busses with plenty of parking available as well.

After walking around after 3pm we couldn’t find any open restaurants. Everything closed at 3pm and re open at 7pm. We had just arrived from Paris and wanted a decent meal. We walk by this alley right behind our hotel and spotted a couple eating pizza and it looked so delicious. We decided to give it a try. Their menu consist of pizza and pastas. We had the pigs cheek pizza and it comes with a lot of onions just in case your not a fan of onions. The pizza was just perfect. Thin crust, bread freshly baked. I was not too sure on the pasta I asked for meat and garlic pasta. He recommended a horse meat and pasta. I have to admit is delicious but it was a little mentally disturbing. The White House wine is GREAT you must have it.

Via del Pigneto has become very trendy over the years, for better or for worse. When I talk to Romans about eating in Pigneto, they’ll always mention Primo or Necci. But Quarantuno is better than both of those restaurants, hands down.
Their menu is creative, using ingredients that are not often found in traditional Roman cooking. For example, a pork loin with mustard sauce here, an entrée seasoned with ginger there, etc. But they also excel at the traditional stuff. For example, their pasta carbonara is the best in Rome. (And I say this after quite an exhaustive search — I’m an American, but I lived for five months in Pigneto and ate all over Pigneto and Rome.)
Also try their specials, which change frequently.
One thing I particularly enjoy is the service. The waiters speak English very well and are very helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. But, as it happens from time to time on Via del Pigneto, sometimes there is some unpleasantness. One night when my wife and I were dining at Quaruntuno, a drunk guy started begging for money from the folks dining outdoors. The waiters were on him immediately, and were very effective at «convincing» him to move along, without ruining anyone’s dining experience.
The one drawback — and why I give it four stars instead of five — is that the price is a little high for the portion size.