Ciao Checca — Restaurant in Rome

For starters, I’m only writing this review because it appears that everyone else doesn’t understand Ciao Checca’s concept:

They’re about healthy and sustainable eating, and they don’t sacrifice savory and delicious to accomplish this goal.

The love of my life and I stumbled upon Ciao Checcs by chance on our way to Giolitti’s (not even 5 minutes away). The mere the aroma from the outside attracted us to the place. And being a foody, I wanted to look at the reviews, but my girlfriend decided against this idea and I’m happy we did.

The menu was extensive, but not too extensive. You have options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The staff was also incredibly helpful because when I asked for a recommendation, he didn’t just say: “Well, this is what everyone else orders,” he said: “I personally usually get XYZ.”

We waited for our food in one of the many nooks behind the entrance decorated in a rustic modern yet comfy chic interior. I would come back to this place to just spend an afternoon and look at the passerby’s through the windows.

And then, the food came. Yes in takeaway containers and plastic utensils, but I didn’t care and neither did my girlfriend. The food was amazing. We ordered their burger, fried chicken strips, and tagiotelle*. Writing this I wish we ordered more. The food was fire fresh out and nothing short of delicious.

We savored every bite but we also savored the fact that at the end we disposed of our trash properly: likes with likes to reduce waste and eat responsibly.

We leave Roma soon, and I may return to Ciao Checca before then because I know it will be one of many finds in this history city that I will...

Great idea, poorly executed When you get to Rome, you are normally bound by the limited choice of food, particularly for breakfast. You are effectively in GlutenLand. Pasta is king and croissants are a must with cappuccino. So it is a breath of fresh air when you find a place that is trying to break the mould. My kids and I were looking for a breakfast place that would offer porridge, fruit, granola, eggs, etc. Stuff that you ordinarily find in any UK chain (Pret, Eat, etc). A quick Google search highlighted Ciao Checca. Armed with enthusiasm we proceeded to Piazza di Firenze where Ciao Checca is located. The place is not very welcoming, quite sad I would say. It was 9am and it was empty. We sat in the back on empty tables (no cutlery or anything). As nothing was happening we walked back to the counter and was told to order and then the food would have been served. So we did order, from an inviting menu I should add. I ordered porridge, my kids yoghurt and granola and fruit. After a few minutes the yoghurt came with a plastic spoon inside. No napkin (we had to ask for it). My kids thought little of the granola. The porridge also arrived. But it wasn’t porridge. It was warm milk with some kind of barley at its bottom. No Oates and certainly not cooked!

A lot of potential but so far very...

We were too early for lunch. So we had their hot breakfast options of Croque Monsieur and Madame - both delicious on whole grain bread. Found it a little strange that we were served our tea in takeaway cups, and our sandwiches also on paper plates and given plastic cutlery. I guess it’s part of keeping their prices low? We also had the banana bread with hazelnut spread and ricotta with cinnamon and chocolate which were nice - both served cold. It was a cosy spot to sit and wait out...