La Gallina Bianca — Restaurant in Rome

Adding an extra star because of the friendly waitress/host, but the food overall was easily a 1 if that.

Backstory: We were originally going to another restaurant because of their reviews (4+ stars minimum) but found out at arrival, that they were fully booked for the evening. Walking around, we then discovered "La Gallina Bianca" and because of the friendly hostess, we decided to go for it with no prior google searches (my fault). Since the hostess noticed I was looking at the steak options, she recommend that I try a new unlisted menu item (I think she said picanha cut, but I wasn't sure). I decided to go for it because she genuinely seemed nice and her demeanor radiated a sense of trust even though the price was unlisted.

We were sitting for quite a bit and since we had time to kill, we decided to look up reviews (they had free wifi). I was disappointed to see so many complaints about a mandatory 20% surcharge, so I decided to prep myself for the incoming damages by making light of the reviews and joking to my wife that we are about to get creamed, so might as well enjoy it while we can. After another 45 minutes, the main dish finally came (it basically looked like a slab of tri-tip, but the receipt says 1.34kg/3lb tomahawk). I'll be honest, the initial presentation did look good. The coloring of the center cut was a perfect medium/rare, and overall didn't look overcooked so I was looking forward to it.

NOW HERE's THE BAD PART...I took the center cut while my wife/son took the sides and...I could BARELY cut it with the steak knife (bad sign). After a brief struggle I finally had a taste and right then and there I knew. THIS HAD TO BE THE WORST STEAK I'VE EVER HAD. I waited for a bit before saying anything and simply watched my wife and son try to cut their slices as well, and their reaction was similar. The meat was so hard that it was barely chewable and most of my cut needed to be spat out. In the end we left maybe 90% of the meat untouched and gobbled up the side of fries and water. My son even felt sorry for the hostess/waitress since he noticed that she was genuinely unhappy that we didn't enjoy our meal, so I made sure to make a comment that I/we were NOT upset at her, but at the same time still HAD to be honest in claiming that perhaps this dish is NOT ready to be served as is.

To give an extra data point, I'm currently 45 yrs old, live in the US (San Francisco), who's had the opportunity to taste steak from all parts of the world. This trip is only 1/2 way done, but I'll bet that this experience is probably going to be one of the worst, as it set a new low bar for what a steak should be. This is my 1st Google review and I am only writing this to inform others to NOT recreate my mistake.

To end on a positive note...they did NOT charge me a 20% service fee like all the other reviews mention. Perhaps our hostess/waitress were able to convince management which was a relief (because I would have flipped the table otherwise). In the end, my meal for 2 adults and 1 child was 104 Euros, which mainly consisted of bread, water,...

La Gallina Bianca in Rome appears to be a quintessential tourist spot, with its charm and location seemingly tailored for visitors. Nestled in the bustling heart of the city, it surprisingly lacks the typical crowd even on a Friday night. This makes it a haven for those looking to dine without the usual hustle and bustle. The ambiance, while cozy, reflects a space that caters predominantly to tourists.

Upon being seated, I ordered a glass of wine, which turned out to be quite disappointing. The serving size was minuscule, barely fitting the description of a "glass." It felt more like a sampler than a proper serving, which was underwhelming, especially in a city renowned for its generous wine culture.

For those following a vegan diet, La Gallina Bianca presents a challenging dining experience. The menu is heavily skewed towards pizza, with virtually no vegan alternatives. However, I appreciated the staff’s transparency about their cooking practices, as they openly stated that even dry pasta is cooked in the same water as non-vegan items, leading to possible contamination. This upfront honesty is commendable, although it does little to enhance the vegan dining options.

The pizza, the star of the menu, is decent but not extraordinary. It serves its purpose but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The toppings and crust are satisfactory but lack the wow factor one might expect from an authentic Roman pizza. It's enjoyable, but nothing that will linger in your memory long after your visit.

I also tried the grilled vegetables, which were a letdown. For the price, the portion size was surprisingly small. The vegetables were well-cooked and seasoned but did not justify the cost. This made the dish feel overpriced and underwhelming.

Overall, La Gallina Bianca offers a mixed experience. It provides a quiet escape from the city's crowds, but the food and portions leave much to be desired. If you're looking for a reliable but not exceptional meal in a tranquil setting, this might be the place. However, for those seeking a memorable culinary adventure, it might be best to explore other options in Rome. Three stars for the peaceful ambiance and straightforward service, but there's ample room for improvement in the...

The fact that they have gluten free options is great and food is good (not excellent but good). However, prices and management are not worth the effort. I reserved a table and when we arrived (on time), it wasn't ready and my reservation wasn't even there. We waited 10-15 min and then we were seated and given menus. After 5 min, the waitress asked us to leave the table because other clients (regulars, I guess) had reserved the table at the same time, and we had to wait for the next one to become available. Not sure how they found the guts to act that way. I was annoyed and wanted to leave but we were tired and didn't have the energy. Also, the staff was then acting super nicely to us, apologizing and promising a "free something". At the end of the meal, they came and told us that because of what we went through, NEXT TIME we are in town, they will offer us something. I was so shocked I didn't find the words to say much, I just nodded. I went and paid and noticed that they even charged us for the espresso we got after dinner (in Italy, it is very common to get a coffee or liquor after dinner offered by the restaurant, and especially when something goes wrong with the service is nice to do things like that). I ended up spending so much more than I thought I would considering what we ate. I wouldn't go back there for the cheap and poorly behaving management. Too bad, the food and atmosphere aren't bad at Gallina Bianca, but 2 stars is...