SantoPalato — Restaurant in Rome

Ristorante Santo Palato: A Culinary Gem in Rome

Nestled in the heart of Rome, Santo Palato is a heaven for discerning gourmands, offering a delectable symphony of traditional Roman cuisine with a modern twist. The restaurant's ambiance exudes warmth and charm, with rustic wooden furnishings and an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

A Culinary Adventure

My recent visit to Santo Palato was a culinary adventure that tantalized my taste buds and left me craving more. I began my gastronomic journey with the Tortelli di brasato di manzo, delicate parcels of pasta filled with slow-braised beef, enveloped in a rich and savory sauce. Each bite was a burst of flavor, the tender beef harmonizing perfectly with the velvety sauce, a testament to the chef's mastery of traditional Roman cuisine.

Next, I embarked on a culinary exploration of Rome's iconic Polpetta di coda alla vaccinara, a dish that has captivated diners for centuries. The meatball, crafted from oxtail, was a symphony of textures, the tender meat yielding to the gentle pressure of my fork, while the crispy breadcrumbs provided a delightful contrast. The addition of peanuts and levistico, a unique herb with hints of celery and parsley, elevated the dish to new heights, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue.

My culinary experience at Santo Palato culminated in the braised pork slice, a masterpiece of simplicity and flavor. The succulent pork slice, enveloped in a tender embrace by a fantastic herb sauce, had been braised to perfection, revealing a tender and juicy heart that melted in my mouth with every bite. The slightly crisp outer crust, infused with the rich flavors of the braising liquid, was an ode of taste, an ode to the chef's mastery.

Completing this triumph of flavor was the delicate herb sauce that caressed the slice, adding a touch of freshness and complexity. The fragrance of the herbs harmonized beautifully with the intense flavors of the meat, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

A Symphony of Flavors

Santo Palato's menu is a testament to the chef's passion for traditional Roman cuisine, reimagined with a modern flair. Each dish is a masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that showcases the finest seasonal ingredients. The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in every bite, from the hand-crafted pasta to the locally sourced meats and vegetables. To complement this culinary journey, Santo Palato is ready to boasts an impressive wine list. Whether you prefer the bold flavors of a classic Italian wine or the nuanced notes of a French one, their selection offers a perfect pairing for every dish. They feature a curated selection of wines from different places, ensuring there's something to delight every palate.

A Haven for Gastronomes

Whether you're a seasoned foodie or a curious newcomer to Roman cuisine, Santo Palato is a must-visit destination. The restaurant's warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with its exceptional cuisine, will transport you to the heart of Rome's culinary heritage.

Highly Recommended

I wholeheartedly recommend Santo Palato to anyone seeking an authentic and unforgettable Roman dining experience. The restaurant's commitment to quality, its passion for culinary tradition, and its dedication to creating memorable dining experiences make it a true gem in Rome's...

I was really excited to try this place as I’d read and heard about from so many sources, but unfortunately regret making this the last meal I had in Rome.

I made a reservation weeks in advance for outside as it was all that was left also happily assuming the weather risks they notated when choosing outside. The day of, I get an email asking me to confirm because the weather “was bad” and that if I decided to cancel last minute there would be no penalty. I thought it was weird because while some rain had passed the days prior, that day was clear with nothing forecasted. I took it as them doing due diligence, fine - no problem. I confirm and head over.

I don’t say this as someone with very high expectations or unreasonable standards of service at all. I understand the dining culture in Italy is different (and one I love and adapt to accordingly as a visitor to the country btw). However, I received some of the rudest service here ever. When I arrived to check in, a blonde girl said yes your reservation is outside so sit outside. Um ok abrupt, but she’s not wrong so I guess I’ll show myself my table outside.

Eventually we get menus and she tells us there’s specials, they’re inside on the board and walks away. I literally had to get up, go inside and take a photo on my phone to know what they were. Not the worst thing to have to do, but again just awkward. There’s people eating inside and I’m there taking pictures in the middle of the place? It takes no time at all to just tell us like any other restaurant does. There was no language barrier either that could’ve explained why she didn’t care to talk as she spoke perfect English, it wasn’t a busy night, we try our best in Italian first etc.

Throughout our whole dinner this type of vibe from her continued and we never saw her again until it was time to pay. She waited on the table next to us (Italian family) and they received a wayyy different approach. Someone else even brought our food. There is a man who works there that we flagged down who gave us really great help with wine as the list is super extensive, so that was nice but overall we did not feel like welcomed guests. I don’t know if it’s the hype or what, but plenty of restaurants in Rome enjoy a similar standing and treat guests great! Go to them instead if you’re like me and have high hopes for Santo Palato. There’s so many of them with gorgeous food that don’t require dealing with all this pretentious drama.

Again, if I knew I was going to a place like that I would have expected it but it’s literally printed on the menu to ask any questions at all. Implying they’re there to be helpful would be my guess, but just was not at all my experience.

Anyway the food was fine, not good enough to make up for the uncomfortable interactions which I hoped for. The standouts of bold yolky carbonara is overkill after a while and the amatriciana barely had any guanciale and was extremely sauce heavy. As in you could use a few bread slices to slop it up afterwards. It also isn’t exactly cheap enough either to simply shrug off....

This was an odd one for me. I had seen the restaurant on Stanley Tucci’s documentary so was keen to try.

Some of the food was outstanding and some was, to my taste, just fine.

What I liked: This place is cool. It’s a stripped back Roman Trattoria with sturdy tables, brightly lit and some funky decor. I was a solo diner and I think it would be a cooler place to enjoy a meal with others rather than just one, There’s maybe 6 tables inside and 4 out, which is cool. I love the food literally being served through a hole in the wall.

The star of the show, I’d been told, is tripe (trippa) I had the Tripe Frittata to start (as featured on the CNN documentary) and thought it excellent if very slightly over cooked. The tripe was rich but also light and delicate - a fantastic flavour and texture. Overall a great starter.

I followed this with the Oxtail Meatball with peanut sauce which was unusual but joyous and theatrical on the plate. The flavour was lighter and more subtle than I expected which was good so as to not fill me up.

Next up: Amatriciana with Bucatini. Bright, well presented but I wished I’d been more adventurous in ordering as it’s not really what this place is celebrated for. It’s was nice, not exceptional.

Finally, and bizarrely, the star of the show for me was a simple and elegantly presented Tarte Citron. It was the perfect balance of sharp, tangy, sweet and rich. Others have said this isn’t somewhere you go for pudding but I thought it was one of the best things I ate on my entire trip to Italy.

Finally, I found the service a bit strange. Perhaps it’s because I’m not really used to the culture and language but I try to not behave like a tourist. For the love and care going in to the food it would be great for there to be a bit more engagement with the customer. I know, maybe not the Roman style, but this place is changing things up a bit so would fit the theme.

As with some other places in Rome, when I walked in the staff looked confused and little scared/annoyed to see me.

Sarah Cicolini has done something exciting here, it’s worth seeking out and wandering from the beaten track to experience, I just hope that the welcome becomes a bit warmer towards to interested (foodie) well behaved tourists wanting to immerse themselves in the local...