Two more lunches at Dal Pollarolo

John and I had the pleasure of lunching at Trattoria Dal Pollarolo two more times during our stay in Rome in May. You will find it on the narrow Via di Ripetta just below the Piazza del Popolo.

I ordered chicken with roast potatoes with a side of steamed chicory and John had the meatballs al sugo (in gravy) with mushrooms and an insalate mista (mixed salad).

Don't my roast potatoes look scrumptious?!

 We had a nice chat with proprietor, Alessandro, who asked John to email him some of our food photos to put up on Dal Pollaloro's website.

When we ordered espressi after our meal, Alessandro dropped off two complimentary cherry pastries.

 They were divine! The crunchy pastry has wine mixed into the batter and as you can see the cherry compote filling gleamed. Grazie mille, Alessandro!

On our next visit to the family restaurant John started with a wholesome vegetable minestrone

 while I chose steamed chicory again as my side dish. The Romans love bitter greens in season both in salads and as side dishes.

This time the restaurant was being managed by co-proprietor, Tonino, husband of Alessandro's sister.

 I chose Tonino's recommendation, homemade gnocchi in tomato sauce, for my main dish, and it was delicious -- I ate every bite.

 

  John chose the alternative daily special, a sumptuous pumpkin risotto.

 Looks happy doesn't he.

 When we finished with our usual espressos, Tonino brought us a complimentary strawberry mousse for us to share. Oh, those Italians!