Ai Balestrari In Prati — Restaurant in Rome

I recently dined at Aibalestrai Café Restaurant, and unfortunately, my experience fell far short of expectations. Despite the restaurant's overrated reputation, I found numerous flaws that left me disappointed and dissatisfied. Firstly, the staff's lack of politeness was evident from the moment I entered. The servers seemed disinterested and indifferent towards their customers, lacking basic courtesy and failing to provide a welcoming atmosphere. Their inattentiveness often led to long waiting times and inconsistent service. Furthermore, one of the most significant shortcomings of the restaurant was the overwhelming saltiness of the food. Every dish I sampled, from appetizers to main courses, seemed to be excessively seasoned, making it difficult to discern any other flavors or ingredients. This flaw greatly compromised the dining experience and left me questioning the skill of the kitchen. Adding to my disappointment was the size of the restaurant. The cramped seating arrangement made it challenging to maneuver around the tables, and conversations from neighboring patrons were impossible to avoid. The overall ambiance suffered greatly due to the lack of space, hindering any opportunity for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. However, despite these setbacks, I must admit that Aibalestrai Café Restaurant excels in one area – their desserts, specifically the tiramisu. This classic Italian dessert was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. Combining perfectly balanced flavors and a pleasing texture, the tiramisu at Aibalestrai Café Restaurant is undeniably one of the best in all of Italy. In summary, my visit to Aibalestrai Café Restaurant was a letdown. The staff's indifference, excessively salty food, and cramped space overshadowed any potential enjoyment. While the tiramisu managed to salvage some of the experience, it was not enough to redeem the restaurant's overrated status. Considering the numerous other dining options available in Italy, I personally would not recommend Aibalestrai Café Restaurant for a satisfying...

We chose this restaurant because almost everything else in the local area was closed for the August break. On arrival we were briskly and rather rudely seated at a tiny table in the corner, and told that no better ones were available (despite several others being vacant both inside and outside). We ordered prosecco, which was good value at €15 for a bottle but was opened and dumped on the table with no ice or cooler and no offer to pour it.

I ordered a ham and mushroom pizza (€9.00), which was fine but nothing special. My partner ordered pasta with cheese and bacon (€9.50) and bread (€1.50). The pasta arrived lukewarm a full ten minutes after I had finished eating (at a fairly leisurely pace!) the pizza and the waiter had tried to clear away the bread. We had to chase up the missing pasta three times with the waiting staff before it was hastily thrown together and brought over.

At the end of the meal I asked the waiter to remove the service charge — he refused, saying it was a fixed charge to cover the cost of napkins, tablecloths etc. Despite our complaints he made no offer to compensate us or even really apologise for the delay between the pizza and pasta arriving — all he said was that 'a lot of customers arrived at the same time', which frankly is a pretty ropey excuse.

Overall — not impressed. It was cheap, but the food was average and the service was awful....

Tucked away in a charming neighborhood in Rome, Ai Balestrari is a delightful gem that exudes an old-school ambiance, reminiscent of traditional Italian dining. From the moment you step inside, the warm and welcoming staff make you feel right at home. It’s refreshing to see a place that caters primarily to locals, ensuring an authentic Italian culinary experience away from the typical tourist traps.

To start, we opted for the Suppli, which arrived golden and crispy on the outside. These delicious rice balls were bursting with flavor, though I’d recommend letting them cool for a moment before indulging. They paired wonderfully with the fresh bruschetta, topped with ripe tomatoes and fragrant basil—a simple yet perfect starter.

For my main course, I chose the Pasta al Gricia, a Roman classic that did not disappoint. It was cooked to perfection, with the ideal balance of flavors, showcasing the quality of ingredients used. Each bite was a testament to the restaurant's commitment to genuine Italian cuisine.

Overall, Ai Balestrari is a fantastic little spot that should not be missed. If you find yourself in Prati, take the time to visit this charming restaurant. With its friendly service and mouthwatering dishes, it truly captures the essence of authentic...