La Cacciarella

Cooperativa "La Cacciarella"
Via Casal Bruciato
11 00159 ROMA
ITALIA
Tel: +39 (0) 6.43588578

I can only describe this restaurant as something you might recognise out of a "Spaghetti Western": painted walls, tiled floors, beamed ceiling / roof, small windows. It is set in a courtyard enclosed by blocks of flats. My folks are regulars - as is their dog, which attracted many enquiries as to its health.

Clelia ordered Pasta with Tuna and Lemon, only to be told by the waitress that there was none - of course Clelia wouldn't take this - she had spoken to the owner earlier and had specifically requested it !. The rest of us ordered Spaghetti Amatriciana for starters, and Bistecca a la Brace for main. I asked for the Braised Chicory as an accompaniment.

The spaghetti was fine, but again, the main course was served while we were still halfway through the starter! Maybe I'm forgetting some arcane Italian custom???

Never mind, on with the meal - and the steak was spectacular. Perhaps because it had been cooked over charcoal (a la brace) the flavour was exceptional. Halfway through the steak (interspersed with the remains of the spaghetti) my Chicory arrives - it is cold. I asked, and was told it was supposed to be cold - either way, it was tasty, and an unusual dish for me to try.

Regardless of the vagaries of the service, the experience was something I'll remember for a long time. The ambience was one of almost rural, working-class Italian folk - but set this in deepest Rome suburbs, and seasoned with liberal sprinklings of mobile phones - a real experience!

Sandro

La Cacciarella was built by Cesare Ranucci at the end of the 19th century. It was used as a post house where one could change horses. Most nobles of Rome including king Vittorio Emanuele III with his government of the time, used to stop there when going hunting. After the big war this area became agricultural land with many farms and manors, some of which still exist. Villa Fassini, about 500 yards from Cacciarella, is still to be admired.

During the rapid expansion of the city La Cacciarella was abandoned and neglected. In 1994 a cooperative of young people with the help of the local people started reclaiming this area . They maintained rigorously its original structure, including its sun-dial. The necessary funds were raised by the cooperative organising social events, bingos etc. First they organized barbeques, then they built a pizza oven and on the wave of success, it was developed into a charming restaurant with tables outside and a gazebo in case of rain.

The food is simple but wholesome, homely but willing service and moderate prices. In the surrounding grounds trees and flowers have been planted, there is a childrens playground and an area for dancing. After dinner one can spend a very pleasant evening in this breezy garden under the stars.