Golinos Bistrot — Restaurant in Rome

I truly don't know where to begin. Firstly, this restaurant came highly recommended by a major foodie, and someone who had been around Italy and said it was his favorite place he'd ever eaten in Italy. Secondly, I used to live in Italy and I've been to many a restaurant throughout the country and had many a home cooked meal, and this was hands down the best restaurant experience I've ever had in Italy in all the years I've spent either living here and coming here for work (over the course of the past 12 years to give an idea), and certainly one of the best "homecooked" meals I've ever had. The whole event was an EXPERIENCE, and like none other I've ever had in honestly any part of the world I've been to (I travel for work as a living.) All of the staff were wonderful and friendly, the chef (and I believe owner), Andrea, has this magnificent grounding energy and he welcomes you like you're coming into his own home. When a few of us weren't sure what to choose for a meal, he told us to think about it for a few minutes and choose based on our feelings since each meal would invoke a different sentiment. THIS, my friends, is one way of knowing that this man LOVES to cook, LOVES to cook FOR OTHERS, LOVES his job, and just GENUINELY wants you to enjoy your meal. I can't properly express what this was like, but at our table of 4, we shared bites of our appetizers, meals, and desserts, and all of us were in heaven! I will say that the restaurant is small so make sure to make a reservation because you do NOT want to miss out! And also, the portions are truly sized portions, aka small non-American ones, which is actually really great because 1) you actually finish your food, 2) you can enjoy a little bit of everything and actually have room for it and try these SUBLIME DISHES! AAANND 3) you're not stuffed to the max filled with regret of having eaten too much. Honestly, this is how EVERY restaurant experience should be, even though I know it isn't possible. If I could give Michelin stars, I WOULD! EVERYONE NEEDS TO EAT HERE!!! Grazie di cuore, Andrea, e a tutti lì per una cena assolutamente stupenda. Non riesco a trovare le parole giuste per esprimere quanto mi è piaciuto...

Chef Andrea's passion for food is evident in every dish we ate, and each plate felt like a masterpiece.

While our table enjoyed bites from each other's plates, my fiance and I shared the humus appetizer and the gnocchi, we split the the octoparsley and braised beef, and then finished the meal with the tiramisu. The potions were perfect, and if we had a few more days in Rome, I'd go back in a heartbeat.

The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, and it feels like you have a personal chef. A member of our party has very specific dietary needs (gluten-free and cow dairy allergy) and the chef took the time to ensure that their dishes were, not just substitutions for their needs, but made with the same care, respect for ingredients, and a love of the craft as everything else on the menu.

Golinos stands out for being a place where quality food meets genuine passion, all in a setting that feels like a...

I have eaten dinner at Golinos three times in a week and can't wait to return. The food is absolutely delicious, perfectly prepared, and beautifully presented. The chef, Andrea, takes time to talking with you to select the ideal wine for each dish. The food is traditional Italian but not the same dishes you see at many other Roman restaurants; two of the pasta dishes I ate there, I had never seen or tried anywhere before, a rare experience. They were all absolutely delicious. Andrea is a passionate chef with extensive knowledge about Italian cooking and wines, and serves his food with real care. He makes you feel like his invited guests. This is a small and very special restaurant, without pretense, serving food that is both traditional and creative, with reasonable prices, given the quality of the food and the...