Il Pagliaccio — Restaurant in Rome

The experience in the Il Pelleagio restaurant marks a point of no return in my life. My farewell to the famous restaurant list known as Michelin Guia. Michelin is a car and truck tire brand, which Ironia, such as Ratatoulie, Disney's movie. A chef rat, a tire manufacturer recommending restaurants.

I finally understood that I was wrong as many of those who read these lines are surely, for whom I write this, that the Michelline guide is not a quality guide, it is a guide of a style. I explain myself. It is something like some cat food manufacturer decided to create a musical style. Very surely many people like it but others will hate him.

Let me describe the style of this guide. They are very distant restaurants from what are the very good restaurants in the world where modesty I have attended hundreds of occasions in tens of countries at exorbitant prices. I love the good table and fortunately I have to pay it. I only say this so that my concept is not ruled out thinking that it is a monetary issue.

Let's continue. These are usually very badly located restaurants, in dark, small streets, without decoration, where clearly the economic investment is minimal. They have a Code Dress that includes, going very well dressed, not using perfumes, talking short and especially carrying a lot of money.

When the sadness starts up: no music, funeral silence, no flowers, no tablecloths, no candles, cafeteria type wooden tables. There is no letter, it is what the chef is like to give one, in the order to be like. You don't even think about trying anything and you can't try to repeat something. There is no bread, there is no olive oil.

They try to impress with a letter that includes 20 types of water from different countries, 2,000 bottles of wine. What nonsense, ends one tired of reading them and terrum when you finally find the ones you know. It is easy to supply that a bottle of Crystal when costing 250 euros in a store, at 600 euros in a restaurant but 1,800 euros !!!! That is an stupid cost and so are all prices.

Then the surprises begin. The chef is about to give a tomato with a Brocoli flavor and a tomato flavor brocoli. Temerary and clumsy attempt to change the beautiful symbores of nature. Unique snacks where the waitress describes 10 flavors that one has to try to find and in the end say Hummmmmmmmmm ...., tasty ..... And they all hurt their heads.

In this particular restaurant they passed a white foam that did not know anything, Olia la Lavender, of course I could not stop thinking about the soap with which to wash the clothes at home. I ate a soap at the price of a lobster. They finished a snack of vanilla ice cream with a teaspoon of caviar on top and flavors that almost destroy for me the love for vanilla ice cream.

The night ends the same in all these overvalued restaurants. In this case, an account of 1600 euros for 4 people, a cloth bag with the very large logo of the Rstauraro with 3 cookies so that in the taxi back to the hotel one goes askand if you could still order a pizza at home.

I will never return to this list, life is beautiful and short and there are thousands of restaurants where life has smiled for me, where laughter abound and mix with music, where dresses and the brightness of the eyes of women dance with floral arrangements, where the waiters make me laugh, where I have repeated dishes that I liked, where I was pleased to...

Dining at Il Pagliaccio is a journey into the realm of innovative gastronomy, where creativity and culinary expertise converge to create an unforgettable experience. From the moment I entered, I was struck by the intimate yet sophisticated ambiance that sets the tone for an extraordinary meal. The restaurant’s sleek, modern design and attentive staff make it an ideal setting for those seeking a refined and memorable dining experience.

The service at Il Pagliaccio was impeccable. The staff's professionalism and genuine passion for food were evident in every interaction. Each member of the team demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the menu, offering insightful recommendations and pairing suggestions that truly enhanced the experience. The sommelier’s wine pairings were thoughtfully chosen, with each glass complementing the bold yet harmonious flavors of the dishes.

As for the cuisine, it was nothing short of extraordinary. Under the guidance of Chef Anthony Genovese, Il Pagliaccio offers a culinary fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavors that are executed with precision and finesse. The tasting menu was a revelation—each course beautifully presented and bursting with complex flavors. The duck with miso was a standout, perfectly cooked with a balance of savory richness and delicate spice, while the squid ink risotto was a triumph of texture and depth. The balance of boldness and subtlety in each dish was astounding.

The dessert was a fitting conclusion to an exceptional meal. A delicate and inventive dish featuring citrus and herbs that left a lingering freshness and was the perfect contrast to the richness of the preceding courses.

Il Pagliaccio is a true Michelin-starred gem that seamlessly blends culinary artistry with high-end hospitality. It is a must-visit for anyone in Rome who appreciates not only fine dining but also innovation in the kitchen. The experience was worth every moment, and I cannot recommend this exceptional restaurant highly enough. If you are looking for a dining experience that goes beyond expectations, Il Pagliaccio is the...

We chose Il Pagliaccio for my wife’s birthday dinner on our first visit to Rome. We selected the Parallels tasting experience with the wine pairing option. It was marvelous from start to finish, and I only wish (1) that we could have shared the experience with more people we love and (2) that we didn’t live an ocean away so that we could come back sooner.

The service was phenomenal—friendly, engaged, and attentive, and never once intrusive, much less snooty. The dress code is “smart casual” and that very accurately describes the atmosphere and the service. Cecilia was charming and knowledgeable and truly accompanied us on our journey through the extraordinary menu.

What can I say about the food? There was something surprising and new in every course—the playful “clowning” suggested by the restaurant’s name was constantly apparent, and thoroughly delightful. Even familiar ingredients took on new significance (three ravioli of carrot, onion, and celery each beautifully showcased the properties of the “holy trinity”), and new-to-me ingredients dazzled (“sea fennel” also known as “stonebreaker”—paccasassi, or spaccasassi—was especially memorable).

The beverage pairing included not just a range of delicious Italian wines but also an effervescent surprise served in a blind tasting glass (I won’t ruin it for you), an Italian Trappist beer, and a remarkable craft vermouth.

My wife and I have been fortunate to enjoy some amazing meals together, including the tasting menus at some very fine Michelin-starred restaurants in the United States. But we agreed that Il Pagliaccio excelled them all, both for the quality of the food and drink and most especially for the sheer experience of dining there. We will never forget our time there and cannot wait to return....