I have been going to Il Matriciano Restaurant in Rome for over 40 years. Even though it underwent a complete renovation in 2017, it has changed very little since my first visit. They may have modernized the look, but the traditional Roman food, the service and the atmosphere remain the same as it was in 1983. We enjoyed it so much that on our recent short trip, we ate there two times.
The Colasanti Family has owned and operated the restaurant since 1912 and Alberto Colasanti and his sister, Rosa, have been running the restaurant for the past 50 years.
Alberto greets the guests and oversees the operations and can also be seen sometimes plating the pasta Amatriciana, their specialty. Alberto’s daughters, Cristiana e Fiore, are also invaluable members of his team. They are always present, eager to continue the family tradition and proud to be part of a family that has been in the Roman restaurant business for over a century.
There is a nice outdoor space but we like to sit inside, which seems to be favored by the Romans.
The following represents some of the dishes that we and some friends enjoyed at Il Matriciano.
For an appetizer, I always order the stuffed zucchini flowers. I cannot get enough of them. The flowers contain a small amount of mozzarella and more than a hint of anchovy stuffing. They are coated with a thin batter and fried until crisp outside and melting within.
Then Artichokes alla Giudia
Puntarella Salad. Puntarella is Catalonian chicory which is very popular this time of year topped with anchovy dressing. A favorite of Michele.
Artichoke Salad with Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
La Vignarola, stewed peas, artichokes and fava beans.
Pasta all’Amatriciana, bucatini with guanciale, tomato and pecorino cheese. My favorite pasta.
Spaghetti with tomato, capers and olives
Homemade pappardelle pasta with tomato and prosciutto
The Friday special was Baccalà, salt cod cooked in a tomato sauce with raisins and pine nuts.
Porcini mushrooms are simply roasted with olive oil and parsley. A perfect meatless meal.
Abbacchio al forno, baby lamb roasted with potatoes and rosemary. It was cooked to perfection, moist with crisp skin.
Tiny, fragrant fragoline del bosco, wild strawberries with crema gelato. I had the berries plain with a squeeze of lemon.
Il Matriciano (39-06-32500364) Via dei Gracchi, 55, Rome
Those zucchini flowers looked especially fine!
Yes, they were wonderful
Charles, when I read these particular columns of when you and Michelle dine in Roma, it makes me want to dine with you both in Roma sometime soon. I know it’s rare that we’re both ever in Roma at the same time, but maybe one year it just might happen! This particular meal just struck me strong! In the interim, have a great holiday season!
Charles, when I read these particular columns of when you and Michelle dine in Roma, it makes me want to dine with you both in Roma sometime soon. I know it’s rare that we’re both ever in Roma at the same time, but maybe one year it just might happen! This particular meal just struck me strong! In the interim, have a great holiday season!
It wpould be great if we could be in Rome together-we can go to L’Angolo diVino. We were there last month and had a great lunch with excellent wine and of course Massimo
If not in Roma, we can meet up when Joanna and I make one of our frequent trips to the city for lunch! I’ll keep you posted and allow you to make a reservation at one of your local spots! Then we can figure out each of our next trips to Roma and attempt to coordinate a rendezvous at “L’Angelo Divino” with Massimo…that would be a blast!
Great, Just let me know
Will do Charles…thanks, Steven.
What wonderful food! It’s a long time since I’ve been to Rome but that food makes me want to go back.