Dinner at Virginae

On our previous visit to Rome a year earlier we had asked the desk clerk at the hotel for a restaurant recommendation and we followed his advice and ate at a basic Italian restaurant called Virginae, at the quiet end of a busy narrow street which had many outdoor dining opportunities. We like Quiet and we liked the simple Roman dishes and above all we liked the attentive service from our waiter, Silvano. So we decided to return there.

We passed through the lively Piazza Navona, a square ringed with restaurants which is a gathering place for people strolling and for the buskers who entertain them. We passed by the fortune tellers with their Tarot cards who set up on the street and through an art exhibition (in the dark!). Lights blazed in the gelato and clothing stores and from the many cafes.

Piazza Navona

Once out of the square we found our street and headed for the darker end where Virginae lay.

A lady was serving some of the tables but we wanted to be sure we could be served by Silvano at a table away from the entrance where it was quieter. I didn't see him so I went to the entrance and there he was, standing just inside the doorway.

He came out to greet me and I told him we wanted him to serve us. As we walked towards the table that Carol was sitting at, to stake our claim, he recognized me from a long time ago and manly handshakes and smiles were exchanged. It would be his pleasure to serve us. He greeted Carol like a long-lost friend. Drinks were ordered and we sat back, ready for a good meal as we hadn't eaten anything but olives and nachos since our 7 am breakfast-13 hours ago!

I love soups and seeing minestrone on the menu had to order it. The bowl came rather over-filled but that just meant all the more to eat. It was fantastic and luckily I had some bread to mop the bowl after eating every drop.

I gave Carol a spoonful to try and she agreed it was a rich, hearty soup. We complimented the chef.
Silvano said his 77 year-old grandmother was in the kitchen making it and would Carol like to meet her? Off Carol went to the kitchen and came back glowing from meeting a "lovely old lady".

Carol's antipasto

Of course I remembered how good the spaghetti alla carbonara was here...

and Carol had to try the caccio e pepe!

My veal saltimbocca, with prosciutto, a favorite dish

with a side order of fried potatoes

Carol's tender veal in a lemon sauce

Carol makes notes in the Trip Journal she keeps in her phone while I enjoy my dolce (dessert) of espresso and Sambuca Romana, after dinner.

She enjoys her flan Catalan

Another great meal in Rome, costing about 95E. We said our goodbyes to Silvano and walked slowly back to our hotel via Navona. This was our last night in Rome (until the next time which I hope won't be long) and tomorrow we would have Rome in Limo picking us up at 10 a.m to drive us to the ship.

Yes, we were going on a cruise although we could almost have forgotten as we enjoy our time in Rome so much.

Here's a video....