Hostaria Costanza — Restaurant in Rome

My friends & I put a LOT of time into researching which restaurant we wanted to eat at during our one free night in Rome and based on the reviews and menu - this place won. If only we knew then, what we know now. The food itself was fairly good, though not what we had hoped or were led to believe. If you’ve ever eaten at Enzo’s, this place will be a serious disappointment taste-wise. But what really ruined the night was a truly incompetent and unresponsive waiter. Our reservation was at 6:30 pm, right when the restaurant opened. We like to do that, because it’s well before typical dinner rush for locals, which typically gives us the best service and best chance of not having to deal with the disappointment of menu items that had run out for the night. Having read the menu online, I was really looking forward to the artichoke ravioli. Surprisingly, when I ordered it, I was told it wasn’t available! That really made me wonder how a restaurant can be OUT of a regular menu item right when it opens - on a Saturday night?! So instead, I ordered the roast suckling pig and potato dish with a side of artichokes in the Jewish style. The waiter then asked if it would be okay if he brought my artichoke side dish out as an appetizer? I agreed and didn’t see how that could be a problem… UNTIL they were delivered as part of a large group appetizer dish that was brought to the entire table of seven and set down at the opposite end from where I was sitting. By the time the plate made it to me, there was only one bite left of the artichoke side dish (consisting of two fried artichokes) that I ordered, paid for and was really looking forward to eating. What the hell was the waiter thinking? My wife, meanwhile, ordered a first plate of pasta carbonara and the suckling pig as a second dish. Her carbonara came out at the same time as my dish. While she had a nice portion of pasta, my pig consisted of two very thin, small slices in a bland dark brown gravy. It was okay, but certainly not worthy of what is supposed to be a superior restaurant in one of the greatest food cities in the world. Once my wife finished her pasta, we waited for her serving of suckling pig… but it never came. When we asked the waiter, and everyone at the table backed us up as they heard her order both dishes, the waiter claimed she didn’t order the pig and blankly stood next to the table shuffling through his small notebook. Finally, after watching him do and say very little for an awkward 15 seconds, my wife simply asked if she could just order a plate of the suckling pig and his response was, “No.” No explanation, just, “no.” Again, this was very shortly after the restaurant opened for business on a Saturday night! Since the rest of the table had, by that time, finished their meals and the waiter was being of NO help whatsoever, my wife just declined and didn’t get the second plate she had been looking forward to. Needless to say, we went somewhere ELSE for dessert. If the service and food availability was this horrid when the restaurant had just opened and was nowhere near full, I can’t imagine how bad it must be during a rush. Bottom line: I wouldn’t recommend it, nor will I...

Worst experience of my life. Special occasion, treated horrible, food was terrible. If you want to know why, keep reading.

We stayed at the hotel next door which was perfect. We had spent 4 days in Rome for a special event in our lives, also, 10 years together anniversary was the last day of our trip so we wanted to make it extra special. We got massages at the hotel spa which had a thermal bath...amazing!!!! We wanted to go out for a special dinner and we had eaten the same incredible pasta dishes for four days...Carbonara, Almitriciana, Cacio e Pepe, spaghetti e Vongolle, e spaghetti e polepetti, so we were looking for something besides pasta, maybe a good seafood place? The hotel recommended a place that we had seen had pretty good reviews.

I think we got there late on a Monday, which apparently means they close earlier than advertised (we didn't know). We got there at 10 and they advertised to close at 11:30, but the hotel manager said to get there before 10:30 so we had enough time to enjoy a special night. Success...so we thought...

The older, heavier waiter we had was so rude. I got the feeling he was upset when we sat down...he gave us our menus and then came back and within 90 seconds asked if we were ready. We ordered a bottle of chianti and an antipasto and said we needed a few minutes for primi piatti.

He was stoic, but I figured like my Nonno (typical Northern Italian man...reserves his smiles for important moments), so ok. Less than a minute later he was back asking if we were ready!!! We had been in Rome for many days and had never been pressured to order so quickly!!! I tried to be nice and say everything looks so good and ask about one particular ingredient I did not know, but the waiter rolled his eyes and walked away in the middle of my first sentence.

I was so embarrassed and he made me feel so horrible. We ordered food as quickly as possible...amateur mistake...should have left.

We had the carpaccio of squid. Inside was okay, but the edges were rubbery. Best part was the arugula on top.

For primi piatti we ordered a crepe with tartufo (truffles) and porcini mushrooms which was one texture...mushy.

We also ordered a tagliolini with baby squid, which smelled and tasted old....

We were so upset with the whole experience and so not comfortable with making a scene, we took two bites of each of the primi piatti and asked for check. We left half the bottle and 3/4 of the food, paid, and left. We went to another place for much better food and a much better experience.

There was a really nice waiter who talked to us for a little bit, but after the other waiter had me welling up in tears everyone avoided eye contact. Grazie mille all'uomo che e stato gentile con noi! Lui e...

Food: 4/5 - really great food and wine! The selection is amazing and top quality.

Service: 1/5 - I know in Italy the service is very different to what you get in London (where we're from), but when you paying London prices for food and wine, you would expect the very least of having your first glass of wine and / or sparkling water poured for you and not having the bottles merely dumped on your table. You would expect your bottle of white wine to be chilled in an ice bucket - especially when the two Italian gents next to your table get theirs put straight into an ice bucket! Our starters were put on our table and then whipped off before we'd finished the pâté and bread. Within 2 minutes our mains arrived - which is fair enough I guess. We were never asked how our food is..can I get you another drink..is all ok..? Nothing of the sort. What really annoyed me is that I've heard and read of the donuts you get at the end of your meal, but that this restaurant is notorious for not offering foreigners these donuts...!? True to form we were not offered the donuts, nor was the American couple who sat behind us - however every other 'local' table were given the treats!! I know this sounds very petty, but it's us foreigners who come to your city with money to burn and who will direct (or in this case NOT direct) our family and friends to your restaurant!!

Overall: 2/5 - It was pleasant, but do yourself a favour, save a bit of cash and be made to feel very welcome at all the restaurants in the...