MARE NOSTRUM Seafood — Restaurant in Rome

This place has a lot going for it and if it's not located in Italy I'll probably give it a 4 star for food. Let me explain. I'm sure a lot of people are attracted to this location by its high rating but I think in terms of everything, it's decent so I wouldn't call it exceptional in any way as implied by the high rating. I wish the menu has better English translation than that given by Google translate. Food wise there are some innovation but the result is not as delicious as it could have been. The Gamberoni Terra a Mare (Land and Sea Prawns) is basically a pair of fried prawns in thin cheesy string wrap. I don't think it tastes better than well done tempura shrimps as the cheesy coating overwhelmed the prawn flavors. Tagliolini Mare Nostrum ai crostacei (noodle with shrimps) has a pile of raw shrimps with a pomodoro base filled with some carrots, squash, and bay shrimps. The bay shrimps should be cleaned better as some still have the black "vein" but the biggest problem is that sause doesn't have enough tomato taste which would help neutralizing the fishy taste. The "squash" veggie is tad too bitter which is disonnant with the sauce. I liked the small pile of raw shrimps as it adds a unique flavor but it's not enough to offset the rest of dish. Service is ok and you get your choice of sparkling or still water but food takes awhile so don't come here if you want a no frill dinner. The place is not big and it wasn't busy for me at 730pm on a Friday. I like that the waiter didn't come unnecessarily asking how are the food which I prefer. There are about same number of seatings outside or inside but don't come in large groups. I applaud the innovations it tries to do but taste is not better than simpler fare I've had outside of Italy. For Italian food in Italy it's not good enough...

Dinner at Mare Nostrum was hugely disappointing. The reviews I read online were totally misleading and after 3 weeks of consistently excellent food and service in Italy, my wife and I could not have been more appalled by the service, the long wait time for the arrival of hugely underwhelming dishes. The raison d'être of this restaurant claims to be the fresh seafood delivered from Sicily, yet the ingredients on the plate (when they eventually arrived) were bland and utterly unmemorable. The Taglioni pasta was swimming in sauce and tasted unbalanced and after an hour's wait, heavy going and unappetizing. The staff were consistently offhand and kept promising the arrival of the pasta course, but by the time our second dishes arrived, my wife and I had completely lost all interest in the idea of continuing our meal. The outside dining area is right next to a steady flow of traffic, with exhaust fumes wafting through the dated kitsch looking screen. The din of the cicadas and a crying child at the neighboring table certainly reinforced the impression that this is a restaurant that lacks intimacy, charm and any kind of ambience. The staff seemed genuinely uninterested in us and told us that our food was taking a long time to prepare because of the freshness of the ingredients. One glass of Sardinian Vermentino tasted like wine from a box and the only saving grace was the salt cod on toast, which anyone with a basic knowledge of Italian cuisine could have prepared at a moment's notice. This is a rip off restaurant and not to be recommended...

I recently dined at the Mare Nostrum restaurant that truly impressed me with its seafood offerings. The oysters were exceptional—larger and more flavorful than any I’ve had in America. Paired with a crisp white wine, the combination elevated the experience, complementing the fish perfectly.

The filet dish was a standout; the fish was moist and beautifully paired with cherry tomatoes and pine nuts, creating a delightful flavor profile that exceeded my expectations. The fish remained beautifully moist with each bite. The starter amuse-bouche was a delightful surprise, setting the stage for the meal.

The octopus was another highlight, expertly cooked and beautifully plated. Although, after a minute or two the octopus became chewy and hard to eat.

The staff was very friendly and willing to accommodate in English rather than Italian. My only complain would be they are not well educated in allergies and what foods contain what allergens. I was able to navigate the menu as an individual with a gluten allergy but it was difficult without the nutrition information and allergen markings.

The restaurant is small but nicely placed. It was very hot sitting outside and the table kept getting ants, but the owner can't control the weather nor the wild life around the restaurant. This is just a consequence of having an outdoor section of the restaurant.

Overall, this dining experience was exceptional, marked by skillful preparation and thoughtful pairings that made for a memorable meal. Highly...