Now Marzapane Rome is a little hidden gem and local foodies would not want the word to get out. Marzapane is a great little restaurant on the East Side of Roma.
The head chef is a 27-year-old chef woman named Alba Esteve Ruiz who was the chef of appetizers at El Cellar De Can Roca. El Cellar De Can Roca is considered one of the top 3 restaurants in the world for more than 5 years and currently ranked as the #1 restaurant according to the 2016 San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant. Therefore, I’m incline to believe Chef Ruiz knows a thing or two about cooking at a high level.
The presentation was artfully plated and the colors of the plate came together like Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses.
Marzapane Rome is a bit away from the Central Roma but definitely worth the trip. The service was meh and the waiter seem annoyed he had to work. It wasn’t as inviting as other Italian restaurants I’ve dined at during my stay in Roma. The restaurant has a very rustic feel to it. The wooden tables, interior and chairs was very welcoming and makes you feel at home in the countryside.
Now, the food. There are multiple tasting menus you can choose from. We decided to go with the Marzapane Rome Menu. I’m going to only touch on certain items I thought were tasty.
- Amuse Bouche – It was a crab cake like texture with bits of sea salt sprinkled on top. The tender morsels and a crispy exterior complimented the sauté veggies underneath it. The dish was very good and comforting like the smell of your mother’s home cooking.
- Cod Fish – The flake pieces of cod-fish was tender and moist with crunchy fried bread used as garnish on the plate. The cod-fish wasn’t overly fishy but the oceanic flavors of slightly noticeable. The presentation was artfully plated and the colors of the plate came together like Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses.
- Carbonara – The pasta part of the meal defined how pasta should taste. The strings of carbs cooked to à la dente tossed in a rich creamy sauce. It was definitely made to slurp like a bowl of ramen and your palate is convince of the importance of Italian flavors. It left a mark on your soul like your first feeling of infatuation for your childhood crush. It wasn’t overly cheesy like some of the lines men use to pick up women at the bar.
Overall, I would have to say Marzapane Rome was a good dining experience and another one to add to my list of restaurants. However, it wasn’t one of my best dining experiences and it wasn’t as expensive as some of the Michelin restaurants I’ve dine at. For the price, diners get more for their money. In addition, diners get an idea of what it’s like to dine at one of the best restaurants in the world.
- Service - 6/106/10
- Presentation - 7.5/107.5/10
- Flavors - 7/107/10
- Ambiance - 7/107/10
- Decor - 7.5/107.5/10
Summary
Marzapane brings the talents of a former El Celler De Can Roca to Rome. The East Side restaurant is a quaint little restaurant serving an Italian tasting menu that doesn’t break the bank. The Italian flavors was warm and not overwhelming. It was the right amount of food for the right amount of Euros.
