Trattoria Dal Cavalier Gino, Rome, 4/13/18

exterior
exterior

Trattoria Gino covers two rooms packed with small tables and a happy vibe throughout.  The ceilings are painted with flowers and stones and the walls are decorated with memorabilia giving the place a cozy feeling.  The place appeared to have way more Italians than tourists, and many seemed to be regulars.   No music plays in the background but the hum of conversation surrounds you.  Our waiter was exceptionally friendly and helpful and spoke fine English.  He really made the meal fun.  They offer a good sized menu with lots of traditional Roman dishes.  One caution is that they don’t take credit cards, it’s cash only, but everything is pretty reasonable.  I highly recommend this place be on your list if you have the time and can get a reservation.  

entrance
entrance
interior
interior
interior
interior
painted ceiling
painted ceiling
Frankie made friends with the little chef
Frankie made friends with the little chef
menu 1
menu 1
menu 2
menu 2
menu 3
menu 3
menu 4
menu 4
menu 5
menu 5
menu 6
menu 6

 

We started with a side dish of oil steamed artichoke.  The tops were stuffed with spinach and the whole thing was really tender and full of flavor.  It was lightly dressed with olive oil and totally delicious.  Unlike artichokes in the U.S., you eat the whole thing.

artichoke
Carciofi – Artichoke
Frankie checked it out
Frankie checked it out

 

The bread basket held saltines and puffy rolls.  The inside of the roll was mostly hollow but the light dough was perfect for getting last bits off your plate.

bread basket
bread basket
house wine
house wine
Frankie checked out the table supplies
Frankie checked out the table supplies

 

The tonnarelli cacio e pepe was a perfectly cooked spaghetti with cheese and pepper.  The fresh noodles held the sauce and yielded an amazing flavor.  It was delicious and good to the last drop.

pasta
Tonnarelli Cacio E Pepe – Spaghetti with cheese and pepper
closer
closer
from the top
from the top
from the side
from the side
cabinet
cabinet

 

The rigatoni alla Gricia was a large tube pasta with bacon and pecorino cheese.  It was a tasty bacon mixed with the perfectly cooked pasta.  This was an outstanding version of a dish on almost every menu in Rome.  The pastas here were among the best I’ve had in Rome. Totally flavorful with great sauce – every bite a treat.

pasta
Rigatoni Alla Gricia – Macaroni with bacon and pecorino cheese
closer
closer
detail
detail
Frankie found a shelf her size
Frankie found a shelf her size

 

Abbacchio alla Cacciatora or lamb stewed and wine was very tasty.  Seasoned with rosemary the portion included pieces of shank, neck and shoulder.  It was saucy, flavorful and tender but a lighter portion overall.

meat
Abbacchio Alla Cacciatora – Lamb stewed and wine
closer
another angle
closer
from the top
waiter and Frankie
Friendly waiter Mario and Frankie

 

The Involtini di Vitello al Forno or veal rolls roast looked like a smaller portion but being solid meat were actually a large serving.  A pounded thin slice of veal wrapped around the ground veal and herbs and then was covered with sauce and peas.  The roll was totally tasty as was the sauce.  Very tender and full of flavor, it felt like food your grandmother would serve you.

rolls
Involtini Di Vitello Al Forno – Veal rolls roast
closer
closer
inside
inside
inside
inside
owner and frankie
Owner Fabrizio and Frankie

 

For dessert we had a wine soaked pear with a sweet wine sauce.  The pear was perfectly ripe and tender.  It was absolutely delicious as was the sauce.  This was a perfect sweet fix and full of wonderful textures.  A fantastic end to a really fun dining experience.

pear
Wine poached pear
one more view
one more view
Frankie looked it over
Frankie looked it over
fresh vegetables
fresh vegetables in their case
Frankie posed on the sign out front
Frankie posed on the sign out front

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