Trattoria Ghost — Restaurant in Sermoneta

If you are reading this, you are the planner in your group. And you rock. You’re not going to be like all of the other tourists who blindly go to the restaurants on the main plaza that have more customers than they know what to do with. No, you are going to seek out the worthy, the tasty, and the intimate where your presence will be noticed and appreciated. And you’ll find this if you walk just a few dozen meters up the hill and round the bend: Trattoria Ghost. I might have dreamed it. After trying a first place that was highly rated but now closed, I opted for one of the busy places on the main plaza. They had run out of food! I walked to the other busy restaurant also on the main plaza. After standing for 10 minutes it was clear this wouldn’t lead to a meal anytime soon. So I took a chance and walked up the hill in search of this mysterious diner, hidden away from the bustle of the tourist center. And I was greatly rewarded for my search. I was the only customer there, and the cook and owner both were happy to see me. They treated me to a complimentary place of fresh ricotta cheese, drizzled with honey and crushed nuts. They brought a basket of fresh bread which I quickly devoured with the cheese. This I followed with fresh ravioli. It was a magical night and I even translated my experience on my phone into Italian so the owner could see how touched I was by the experience. We shared a warm handshake. Don’t follow the crowd -...

The pappardelle pasta is their specialty per the menu. Of course it’s served al dente as one would expect, but I’m sorry, it was undercooked and very hard. So much so I raised the issue with the male owner and was told that’s how it’s supposed to be. The sauce was very good, as was the ricotta with honey and almonds that came with the meal. I asked a group of 4 that just ate and asked if they too had the dish. Yes they did, and said the owner says it’s supposed to be that way. They thought it was too hard like me, and I’m a cook. I’m not trying to bash this husband/wife team, but when people are complaining about the undercooked pasta, do something about it! Half my dish I rolled into a napkin and dumped it. Total bill food €14, water €2 and €2 coperto. That’s €18. Without giving me a written bill, he took my €20 and didn’t provide €2 change. So his real coperto was over 25% of the bill. I decided to leave than continue with this place. If you’re so hard up for business that you decide to give yourself an extra tip, then that’s on you. My advice to others is careful with what you order, and insist on a written bill itemizing everything before handing...

Finding this place felt otherworldly, we came here on the recommendation of our accomodation host who on our behalf requested they open just for us as it was a Monday night in winter where most of the restaurants are usually closed, we were warmly greeted by the owner who despite our language barrier and lack of Italian was able to present us with their house specialty of sheep’s ricotta with honey and crushed hazelnuts and the most delicious fagioli beans as starters, we didn’t even bother to look at the menu after that, we just trusted we were in good hands and the rest of the meals were perfect and delicious, lovely thick al dente pappardelle pasta with porcini and truffle, we were taken to food heaven and glad we trusted and went with the owners recommendations, it’s places like these that leave a big lasting memory not to be forgotten. This place is aptly named as I thought I had imagined it as it was too good to be true! This was the true and authentic Italian dining experience I’d...