Bottega Tredici — Restaurant in Rome

How did this restaurant make it into the Gambero Rosso guide? As all serious Italian food experts already concede, Gambero Rosso has had its day. But Bottega Tredici is an outlier in the guide in the wrong way. When we walked in at 7:10 pm on a Sunday, we were the only people in the restaurant. Though we had a reservation, after a while of being ignored by the white, presumably Italian, waiters, we were assigned a very friendly Filipino waitress. When I ordered a glass of Franciacorta, a premium champagne-method sparkling wine, a Caucasian, presumably Italian, waitress immediately materialized to pour a glass of cheap, NV Franciacorta and then dematerialized. We ordered three bite sized pre-appetizers: lingua (inedible), beef croquettes (mildly edible) and lamb tartlettes (inedible). There were three choices for white wine and three choices for red wine distinguished by their warmth (literally) and their poor quality and obscurity of provenance. I began to have a sinking feeling that we were in trouble at least as far as dinner prospects went that evening. We ordered a steak tartare and two pastas. We soon realized that we had miraculously discovered the Costco of Rome - I don’t believe there is a Costco in Rome - with the lowest possible quality of ingredients in each dish. When the second pasta - a tortello of baccala and the signature pasta on the menu - arrived, covered in a strange patriotic emulsion of green and red (the colors of the Italian flag), cooked until the last shred of gluten had been wiped off the face of the earth, a perfect blend of slush, gloop and mush, we had to leave! Buonosera e...

This is a tricky review. I'll start with the good. Service was impeccable and atmosphere of the small bistro was nicely decorated, but it was a little stuffy and stale from an airflow standpoint. Sit outside if you can. The ceramics used during service were incredible and helped elevate the dishes beyond their true value.

Onto the food. Started with the fish carpaccio. It was not really what I would expect, small chunks of fish with spicy mayo sprayed around with some pine nuts. It was fine, but I expected better execution with thinly sliced fish as carpaccio is normally and the flavors were a little clumsy. Second course was carbonara which was excellent, but we are in Rome here and amazing pasta can be found on nearly every corner. The cheeses used were clearly of high quality. Between courses we were given some decent bread and some of the best olive oil I've ever had. Main course was steak with essentially a Pico de Gallo under with a nice sauce. Steak was cooked well and the flavors were good, but it lacked something to make it stand out. Finished with tiramisu, which was exceptional.

Our dinner for three with an average bottle of wine was 280 euro which seemed high for what we received. People stating this is Michelin caliber are reaching, but they certainly act like it is. Don't think we.would go again. Using high quality ingredients can help mask mediocre techniques only so much. Chef commentaries from critiques is...

If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Rome, look no further than Bottega Tredici. This enchanting restaurant effortlessly combines Italian tradition with modern innovation, creating culinary masterpieces that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. From the warm atmosphere to the attentive service, my partner and I were utterly captivated by this hidden gem.

Our meal began with two delightful antipasti: Vignarola, a seasonal vegetable medley, and a beautifully plated Egg, Asparagus, Jerusalem Artichoke, and Taleggio Cheese dish. Each showcased the freshness of the ingredients and meticulous preparation.

Next, we shared a classic Carbonara, cooked to perfection with a creamy, rich sauce that had us savoring every bite. Our secondi, a tender Octopus and Bitter dish, featured a delightful contrast of flavors that elevated the dish to new heights.

For dessert, we couldn't resist the inventive Tiramisu. The classic flavors, complemented by a mascarpone mousse and coffee granita, provided a delightful end to our meal.

Bottega Tredici's dedication to quality ingredients and the balance of tradition and modernity left a lasting impression on us. This unforgettable dining experience showcased the best of Italian cuisine while pushing the boundaries of contemporary dining.

If you find yourself in Rome, I highly recommend a visit to...