Blog:  Tennis Masters in Rome: where to eat in Foro Italico area?

Posted by tavoleromane on May 10, 2012 in General | 0 comments

Here we go again! In May of every single year the Foro Italico in Rome gets on stage! In this period the area is among the ones most frequently on the mouth of Romans who enjoy to go out… Why? What is so special about it?!? It is the Tennis Internazionali d’Italia, the Tournament is back!!! So, just like every year, many locals and tourists get on their cars and scooters (or by bus) challenging the heavy traffic as they look for the promise of adrenaline delivered by the excitement for the tournament and the appeal of fashionable events in the warm nights of the incoming summer. Plus, this year almost all of the top players will be present: what a thrill for us who are among the ones who are driven there by our passion for this sport!
Start on May 12 after the drawings in Piazza di Spagna the tournament will begin and go on until May 20 when it will be closing right after the men’s final.

Besides the “Internazionali” which are instrumental to rediscover an area so fascinating, even though somewhat neglected in the past, the Foro Italico area is coming of age, enjoying its spring thanks to the path drawn by the latest expressions of contemporary architecture in Rome: the Auditorium, the MAXXI and the so-much-discussed bridge “Ponte della Musica”.

However, despite this high concentration of culture and sport in the area (this is in fact the area where all the main football events happen in Rome) the same cannot be said about presence of venues to be visited for eating and drinking. So, we thought it useful to share our selection of places where you can stop by before or after the games. You stop by in the afternoon but dinner is an option as well. Additional information can be found through related links in our posts.

Please note that the distance we have specified for each venue from the Foro Italico, is meant to be referred to the walking distance (unless otherwise indicated).

For a small sweet or savory break 

Mondi is a long-time favourite among the area residents, well known also to those who live in neighboring areas who come here and taste the “Mondinis”, small iced products of this patisserie whose proucts have also been replicated by other venues in Rome. The quality of their products is not always constant and some flaw in the service may happen However this place cannot be overlooked and deserves to be mentioned anyhow. It provides bar service, ice cream, traditional sweets and pies as well as savory sneaks for an aperitif.
Address: Via Flaminia 468
Open: Tue-Sun (closed on Monday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,5 km

Pasticceria Marcucci slightly less visible but close to Mondi. Another “sugary” address offering traditional sweets like the “pates” filled with custard, chocolate, cream or fruit. Worth mentioning their terrific pie filled with chestnuts. But alas, it cannot be found this time of the year, but rightly so!
Address: Via Cassia 2
Open: Mon afternoon -Sun (closed on Monday morning)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,1 km

Il Gianfornaio on the main square facing Ponte Milvio, a historical address delivering bread, pizza and other products from their ovens: it also provides a delicatessen area. By the way, since a few months Gianfornaio couldn’t help opening a third venue. Alongside the historical venue of Ponte Milvio and the one at Olgiata, Gianfornaio is now open also at EUR for the joy of local residents and passers-by.
Address: Piazzale di Ponte Milvio 43
Open: Mon-Sat (closed on Sunday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1 km

Let’s have an Aperitif!

Tree Bar right in the middle of Via Flaminia. A north-european style venue with light brown furniture where it is also possible to seat outside. Pizza-based buffet is available as well as a few cooked dishes along with wines and cocktails. You can also have lunch, dinner or stop by for tea in the afternoon.
Address: Via Flaminia 226
Open: Tue – Sun  (closed on Monday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,9 km

Charlie Vini e Cucina one of the places in the lively Ponte Milvio area. Happyhour with salamis, cheese, tasty focaccias or bruschettas and a glass of wine selected from a well-provided cantina. Beer lovers may find some artisan beer to taste. A good spot for a quick lunch.
Address: Via Flaminia 450
Open: Tue-Sun (closed on Monday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1 km

Having a taste for ice cream?

Neve di latte opposite MAXXI, a creation of Ermanno di Pomponio with a modern, contemporary touch. Natural “gelati”, made from high quality ingredients  – as witnessed by the price – result in non-traditional flavors available: not to be missed the chocolate variations, pistachio and pine nut.
Address: Via  Luigi Poletti, 6
Open: always
Distance from Foro Italico: less than 1 km

Al settimo gelo a little further away, at the beginning of theVittorie-Prati area. One of the first to bring natural ice cream to Rome. A wide selection of flavors mostly non-traditional ones.
Address: Via Vodice 21
Open: Tue-Sun (closed on Monday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,5 km

For a roman or traditional dinner

Lo Sgobbone an all-roman-cuisine stop with “carbonara”, “amatriciana”, “gricia”, “cacio and  pepe” and so on. Quantities are generous and the customers are mostly locals.
Address: Via dei Podesti 8
Open: Mon-Sat (closed Sunday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 800 m

Il Quinto Quarto another venue deriving its menu from the roman tradition, even though here and there some creative touches break into tradition so that you can find “gricia with pears”. Famous for what it used to be one of the best carbonaras in town, quality has slightly lowered but staying well above average so that it is still worth a visit. Regional salamis and cheese are to be tried for their taste and presentation as entrée.
Address: Via della Farnesina 13
Open: Mon-Sat (closed Sunday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,3 km

Voy still not far away from Ponte Milvio. The atmosphere here is trendy and modern as the environment is nicely furnished. At a reasonable price you may enjoy traditional fish or meat main dishes, slightly revised in modern key. Sunday brunch offered.
Address: Via Flaminia 496
Open: always except Sunday night
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,2 km

Il Gentiluovo on the side of Collina Fleming. A Lab making fresh pasta which incorporates a kitchen and some seats. You can buy fresh pasta or you can choose it from the window and have it prepared with the available sauces. Entrée, main dishes and home-made sweets are also available.
Address: Via Antonio Serra 15
Open: Mon-Sat (only evening on Saturday) and Sundays
Distance from Foro Italico: 2,1km  (10 min by car)

For a “splurge” dinner

Metamorfosi a little far away from the Foro Italico, but not so much, and in this case the extra distance is really justified. More, we really recommend a visit to this place wherever you may be or live. Geniàl the French would say is the cuisine prepared by chef Roy Caceres and his sous chef John Regefalk. The watchword here: only excellent produce. Add on top of that a sophisticated technique and the result is breathtaking. According to us a starred- cuisine review will only be a matter of time
Address: Via Giovanni Antonelli 30
Open: Mon-Sat (closed on Sunday)
Distance from Foro Italico:  5km (1o min by car)

Settembrini not as far as the previous one, here the chef Luigi Nastri prepares creative dishes (without exaggerating though!) letting his inspiration be driven by earth and (maybe more) sea. Settembrini is also Café and Bookstore: a very welcome and heartening Project!
Address: Via Luigi Settembrini 25
Open:Mon-Sat (closed Saturday lunch and Sunday)
Distance from Foro Italico: 2,5km (6-7 min by car)

Acquolina on Collina Fleming. Fish, fish and only fish mastered by Giulio Terrinoni and his team. A constant reference of quality in the city,to the point that customers come here to dine from any part of Rome.
Address: Via Antonio Serra 60
Open: Mon-Sat (only evening on Saturday) and Sunday all day
Distance from Foro Italico: 2,5km (10 min by car)

Pizza-time

Well, let’s face it: in this area it is not so easy to enjoy a decent pizza, at least to our knowledge: so if you know any pizzeria worth noting please share it with us! The only address we can mention is Rosso Pomodoro which – once you have “digested” the idea of eating at a franchised brand  – allows you to have a decent Neapolitan-style pizza.
Address: Via Flaminia Vecchia, 521
Open: always
Distance from Foro Italico: 1,8 km

Gastro-addicted look out! Keep this area under the radar! We have been perceiving upcoming changes over the last months. Last witness is the Osteria della Musica which is opening up (finally) where the Red used to be, in the Auditorium by Renzo Piano area.

Link to the full post in Italian

English translation by “pugetto”
Images credits: ziofrankie, bbc, Tavole Romane – All Rights Reserved