Acquolina

Had very high expectations for a 2-star place, especially the day after we were highly impressed by a 1-star in Rome (Zia). Totally lived up to those expectations, largely because they let us do two different menus and share (despite saying on their menu they don't do this). This always makes the experience so much better, getting to try twice as much, so I hope they make that a regular thing. It's a very formal place; I had to bring a 2nd pair of shoes on our 2 week trip specifically to wear here :-) Food was tremendous overall, and often pretty challenging - if you're not into experimentation and creativity and you just want standard delicious food I wouldn't recommend this place but if you want to try a bunch of wonderful and inventive stuff you've never imagined, have your notions of what e.g. dessert is challenged, this is the place. Not to say it prioritizes different over good, either - my wife had a couple things that didn't work for her (out of 24) but I enjoyed every course quite a bit, with 11 new things added to my list of best-things-I've-ever-eaten. $300/person, 26/20 score, priced right (for comparison it's slightly cheaper but not quite as good as Acquerello, also 2*, in San Francisco, which is my #1 restaurant) Particular favorites: the carrot cocktail, potato napoleon with creamed cod, the fermented tuna heart with butter and bread (such an incredible and unique flavor), the lobster with pil pil (stunning), the sweetbreads with mantis shrimp aioli, the orzo with wild garlic sauce/clams/glasswort, the spaghetti with zucchini flowers, the ravioli with liquid bread filling and bready milk sauce, the duck liver savory meringue with truffles. Desserts were maybe the most memorable part - fig leaf ice cream with fig leaf oil and mulberries, a glasswort foam and sorbet with sour cream that would've been a salad if not for some sweet apple, & a creme caramel made with mullet roe instead of chicken eggs (felt like an Iron Chef judge, could totally taste the seafood but it was still great)

My wife and I were in Rome a week ago. We decided to go to Acquolina for our dinner date. We love all 9 dishes and the appetizers. The service was exceptionally outstanding! The food tasted very unique, and all the flavors worked in perfect harmony. The presentation was perfect, and the plates and bowls that the food was served in had somewhat rough edges and varying temperatures, which added another sensory experience for the eater.

Booked at very short notice and was fortunate to secure a table. What an experience! This restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary. Firstly, the service was impeccable - the wait staff were attentive and so engaged and proud in presenting what Chef Danielle Lippi had prepared. The wine pairings were not only perfect, but every one of them was a wine we had never tried (or even heard of), nor had we ever tried most of the varieties presented. The food itself was wonderful - some of the combinations were things you’d might never consider, such as a cauliflower and white chocolate puree that accompanied a cod with caviar, or the Almond, Rhubarb and Strawberry foam/anglaise that had powdered caper leaves sprinkled on it. Our final surprise came after we asked one of our waiters to send our thanks and compliments to the chef for such a memorable meal. Chef Danielle suddenly appeared from the kitchen to also thank us in return for coming and to ask us for our thoughts on various dishes. Such an impressive and engaging man with an obvious passion and pride for what he does. What a great night! If you’re ever in Rome, do yourself a huge favour and have dinner at Acquolina!

Update in response of reply. This restaurant is so arrogant that they replied: “ According to him, nothing on the menu works”. I did say that the starters are good. But the service is not. The whole night we are rushing to have our meal finished. At the very first, I’m writing this review based on a Michelin 2 stars restaurant standard and comparing it to all the restaurants that I’ve been that that ever received a Michelin star. Courses: I ordered the 7 course tasting menu. Pros: 1. The starters that are not on the menu are amazing. 5 ⭐️ 2. The first and the second courses are good. I will give a 4.5 ⭐️. 3. When we say we don’t like the third course, one server with a mustache kindly asked and prepared a new dish for us. 4. I emailed saying that it’s for a birthday celebration and they prepare a cake with candle. Cons: 1. Too much breads and carbs. We are already full when it comes to the third course. 2. The third course comes with two parts. The first part is on a piece of bread and the second part is a creative presentation of Kebab. This dish is a disaster. Like I said, we are already full when it comes to the third dish but it is still on a bread that is too big. Also the idea of serving squid “sashimi” on a bread is weird. It does not match. The second part is what I call disaster. It’s a saltily grilled fat — or at least it tastes like fat. My partner cannot even stand the idea of putting it in the mouth. I finished half of it so that I can give an honest tasting review. It comes with pickle and sour cream to even the saltiness but it’s not enough. 1 ⭐️(To be fair they prepared a new course to make it up. Even though the make up dish is pretty and creative, the taste is mediocre. I appreciate the attitude still.) 3. The fourth course is Spaghetti with sea urchins. The sea urchins are delicious. But the Spaghetti is undercooked. It’s hard and teeth sticky. When I said so to the server, I was told that it is supposed to be this way. I have cooked and tried Spaghetti from Italian restaurants around the world a million times in my life and I know it’s undercooked. I don’t want to be explained that it’s supposed to be this way. If so, I would say I expected a much more creative way from a Michelin 2 stars restaurant when preparing a Spaghetti dish, instead of cooking it to 80% and told customer that it’s supposed to be like this. 1⭐️ 4. The fifth course is Elica pasta and it is, as the servers said, more cooked. I am especially amazed that they can precisely control how much the pasta is cooked. If the third course is cooked 80% and this one is definitely cooked 85%. 2⭐️ 5. The dessert is a cauliflower ice cream which is icy, like it was frozen in the fridge for a long time. From a Michelin 2 stars restaurant I would expect it to be at least soft. 2⭐️ 6. There is one last dessert that is red bean on top of a soft cracker with ice cream beneath. Couldn’t say what it was and it’s weird for this sort of combination. 7. At the end the servers are rushing us to finish the course so I gave a three stars. 8. Atmosphere is 4 but actually as someone whose eyes are sensitive to bright lights, the lights are too bright. Regarding your reply, if you read my review carefully and be less arrogant, I did say that the starters and blue lobster are good. I have no idea how that cuttlefish be listed in Michelin guide and I am not the only one thinking that it’s a disaster. Your pasta is undercooked even after I specifically instructed that I would like it to be cooked a bit longer. I did not deny the bread but I said the bread is too much. Your restaurant is overrated and I would take out the Michelin stars if I could. Your services are a disaster as well. The waiters keep rushing us and keep asking “are you finished”, “can I take your dish” even if he sees clearly I am not done. This is not a great place for birthday or other celebration as the environment is not romantic at all. Avoid wasting your money.

The design of the restaurant is very elegant and simple and very private . The service is impeccable. Everyone who works there is extremely helpful and polite. We ate divinely delicious food, I really enjoyed every one of them. We ate a 7-course menu without wine pairing. Despite the fact that small portions were extracted, approx. after the 5th course I was very full. The restaurant really deserves 2 Michelin Stars. I wholeheartedly recommend the restaurant to everyone who wants to try a real gourmet experience.

This was an easy 5 * , the atmosphere was amazing , minimal and chic. We chose the fish menu and I was impressed of the tastes and the smell. I didn t really like the desserts but this is my personal taste as I am not a fan of lemon and I hate rose water. At the end the sweets that comes from the restaurant are amazing I loved the cinnamon baklava. The waiter realised I did not eat the previous deserts so he brought for me a second round from the one I liked. The service was incredible, we did not have to search for them or to ask something, they were one step ahead always. Amazing experience. Well done I forgot to mention we did the wine pairing and it really worth it.

Unforgettable dinner with creative menu, great ingredients and service. We decided to try this 2-star Michelin restaurant in Rome as they are known for the best seafood in Rome. We had one of the tasting menu, Periplo, a 7-course tasting menu. We didn't go with the wine pairing as we can't drink too much. We ordered a glass of chardonnay to start with instead. We were served with a few of beautiful complimentary Antipasti, very refreshing. All the dishes starting from the bread and paste to salad, pasta, fish, dessert were creatively designed and presented. We were surprised by every single dish. We were so full after the dinner. I would say very value for money for a dinner in a 2-star Michelin restaurant. Andrea and his team was very professional and friendly. The ambience was romantic with classical music on the background. We would recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy romantic fine dining with your loved ones.

This restaurant was fantastic! The service was superb and the food was creative and delicious. The flavor pairings were unique and memorable. The flan caviar dessert was the one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted. If you want to have a food experience with amazing service, this restaurant is for you.