Pasqualino Al Colosseo dal 1956- Trattoria Romana — Restaurant in Rome

Wow. I haven’t left many reviews across the various platforms. And when I do, I try to focus on the positive reviews. That said, I felt I should jump online to leave a review of our experience this evening. Initially the service was warm and welcoming. We ordered a rosso vino della casa for the table. A solid house wine. Not too complex, fruit forward, very accessible. I ordered the Risotto alla crema di scampi, my wife ordered the Rigatoni Carbonara, and my daughter ordered a gluten-free pasta with a cream sauce. The food was okay. Not bland, but nothing particularly remarkable. The prices were reasonable, but be aware there is a two euro charge per person for bread & service. The bread was not what you would expect from a quality Italian restaurant. Again, just okay.

My primary concern is not with the food itself. Had the service continued as it had started, I’d likely not leave a review at all. Nothing outstanding, but nothing offensive. Unfortunately, the service took a turn toward the end of our meal. This is not my first trip to Italy. I have been here several time over the years, and have grown accustomed to a different pace of life, particularly as it applies to a celebration of food and conversation. That said, something must have happened toward the end of the meal that shifted the tone. I’ve run through the interactions to see if there was possibly something I or my family may have done to cause offense, but came up empty. After we finished our food, we waited quite sometime before I could catch our waiter’s attention to request a check. Nothing unusual there—a different pace of life. I asked for the check, and he asked if we would like dessert or a drink before we left. He mentioned Panna Cotta, which I didn’t see on the menu. So, I said “Sure!” and ordered an espresso and a panna cotta. The espresso came after a few minutes (it was excellent—of course), but no sign of the panna cotta. We waited over 20 minutes, nothing. Finally I was able to catch his attention again and (politely) asked for the check. He went, brought the check, dropped it on the table and walked away. In almost every situation I’ve been in throughout Europe, the service person then waits to either take cash or to process the card payment right away. But he left—and did not return. We waited another 20-30 minutes. I had my credit card out and obviously held above the check indicating I was ready to pay. Our waiter walked by our table several times, made no eye contact, and helped other tables around us. The most surprising was when he served the table directly next to ours and I strove to get his attention (politely) and he walked away. Another employee noticed either that I had put on my coat and hat and was ready to leave or that my wife was getting visibly upset at this point and rushed over to attend to the check. I was on the verge of just putting money on the table and walking out.

Again, a strange experience. Do I recommend Pasqualino Al Colosseo? I cannot. The food was baseline satisfactory. Whatever happened at the end of the evening was bizarre and soured the whole evening. I hate to say anything negative, but this stood out as such an...

Fully recommend this traditional yet lovely restaurant near the Colosseum, typical in Rome.

I was wandering around the site searching for a restaurant to experience the delicacy of the Italian food, and the name Pasqualino alongside its distant founding year written on a canopy came into notice. Surely this restaurant is a good take, I told myself. •The drinks: to initiate, I got myself a small bottle of sparkling water (0.5L), followed by a good old coke can (0.33L), which came with a glass containing ice for keeping the drink cold. So far, so good. Note: the sparkling water was quite strong, I enjoyed it but might be a problem for someone (you can ask the waiters for a lighter one).

•The food: I started off with an appetizer, the famous bruschetta, actually a mix of different bruschette ('bruschetta mista'), not just tomato. The order came pretty quickly, alongside condiments. The different flavours, be it spicy or sweet, were a brilliant combination. I did enjoy it, but we were just getting started. For the primary dish the menu was quite large, but I ordered a 'risotto al salmone'. I had to wait quite a bit for the order to come, since a risotto takes time to be properly prepared. The risotto came with a spoon. The food was hot (be careful!), exuisitely orange and creamy, and alongside the softness of the rice and the buttery, rich and slightly sweet salmon it felt amazing.

•The dessert: I skipped the second dish, but still the menu was rich. There was a special name on the dessert menu, the 'gelato pasqulino': it was an original ice cream of the local. After a while the ice cream came on a beautiful glass; it was of different colours expressing different flavours; and what can I say? I totally enjoyed the sweetness.

•The service: most assuringly lovely staff. Both the managers and the waiters were nice, and the service of quality.

The place isn't too crowded during the night, so feel free to give the restaurant a chance!

To conclude I would give a credit to one of the managers with whom I chatted with, very amusing and...

🌟 Exceptional Dining at Pasqualino al Colosseo: A Shoutout to Samuel! 🍝

My recent visit to Pasqualino al Colosseo was an absolute delight, and I can't wait to share my experience. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for a memorable meal.

The menu offers a wide array of authentic Italian dishes, and every bite was a burst of flavor. I started with the Bruschetta al pomodoro, which was fresh and zesty, the tomatoes perfectly ripe and the bread just crispy enough. For the main course, I had the Fettuccine alla ciociara. The combination of tomatoes, mushrooms, and that rich cream sauce was heavenly. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Now, let me talk about the highlight of my evening—Samuel, our server. Samuel was nothing short of amazing. He greeted us with a genuine smile and made us feel right at home. His knowledge of the menu was impressive; he patiently explained each dish, making great recommendations based on our preferences. He was attentive throughout the meal, ensuring our glasses were never empty and checking in on us just the right amount. His passion for providing excellent service was evident in every interaction. Thanks to Samuel, our dining experience was elevated to a whole new level.

The restaurant's location near the Colosseum is perfect, and the interior has a charming, rustic feel that adds to the overall experience. The prices are reasonable for the quality of food and service you receive.

If you're looking for a fantastic Italian dining experience with top-notch service, especially from the wonderful Samuel, Pasqualino al Colosseo is the place to be. I'll definitely be returning, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Grazie mille, Samuel, for making our...