Giano Restaurant

"Giano, which is located in the W hotel, has a prix-fixe lunch special that’s one of the best deals in Rome. After you’re seated in their swanky dining room with velvet chairs and sofas, you’ll get a complimentary bread basket filled with crispy housemade focaccia, wheat bread from Antico Forno Roscioli, and flavorful breadsticks, alongside whipped ricotta with olive oil and a dusting of ground capers. That alone could be a meal, but you’ll also get to pick an antipasto and pasta, like the zesty fennel and orange salad and, without exception, spaghetto taratatà. This dish packs a punch: al dente, made-in-house spaghettone is bathed in lemon, garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, then topped with toasted breadcrumbs, parsley, tuna bottarga, and grouper carpaccio that tastes straight from the Sicilian coast." - gillian mcguire, annie replogle

"Giano, which is located in the W hotel, has a prix-fixe lunch special that’s one of the best deals in Rome. After you’re seated in their swanky dining room with velvet chairs and sofas, you’ll get a complimentary bread basket filled with crispy housemade focaccia, wheat bread from Antico Forno Roscioli, and flavorful breadsticks, alongside whipped ricotta with olive oil and a dusting of ground capers. That alone could be a meal, but you’ll also get to pick an antipasto and pasta, like the zesty fennel and orange salad and, without exception, spaghetto taratatà. This dish packs a punch: al dente, made-in-house spaghettone is bathed in lemon, garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes, then topped with toasted breadcrumbs, parsley, tuna bottarga, and grouper carpaccio that tastes straight from the Sicilian coast." - Annie Replogle

"A glamorous, atmospheric eatery inside the W Rome, Giano is opulently decorated with velvet couches, low lighting, and wooden walls while serving up Sicilian fare on brightly-colored plates. There’s a solid cocktail list, with names like ‘wake up call’ (Belvedere Vodka, Vanilla Ice Cream, Espresso Coffee, Italian Amaro) and ‘working hard’ (Campari, Red Ancho Reyes, Cocchi Red Vermouth, Agave, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal). The menu skews Sicilian, with dishes like fennel and orange salad, and pasta with fried eggplant, tomato and salted ricotta, all served on brightly colored plates. They also do a plentiful happy hour menu with great snacks like fried calamari and hot sauce; sesame sandwiches with fried chickpeas; toast with anchovies, plus a selection of tacos with Italian fillings. Come by on Sunday for their popular family-friendly brunch which has a buffet of grilled fish skewers, tomato and mozzarella rice balls; roasted lamb shank and couscous, plus a selection of very good desserts." - Maresa Manara

"What were your first impressions when you arrived? A glamorous, atmospheric eatery inside the W Rome, opulently decorated with pastel-coloured velvet couches, low lighting and wooden walls, serving Sicilian fare on brightly-coloured plates. What’s the crowd like? Young professionals enjoying the two-course (+ coffee), 22 Euro lunch menu. What should we be drinking? There’s a solid cocktail list, with names like ‘wake up call’ (Belvedere Vodka, Vanilla Ice Cream, Espresso Coffee, Italian Amaro) and ‘working hard’ (Campari, Red Ancho Reyes, Cocchi Red Vermouth, Agave, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal). It’s not cheap; they’ll set you back 20 Euros; martinis, classic cocktails, and even mocktails all come in at 18 Euros. Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss. The menu skews Sicilian, with dishes like fennel and orange salad, and pasta with fried eggplant, tomato and salted ricotta, all served on brightly colored plates. They also do a plentiful happy hour menu with great snacks like fried calamari and hot sauce; sesame sandwiches with fried chickpeas; toast with anchovies, plus a selection of tacos with Italian fillings. Come by on Sunday for their popular family-friendly brunch which has a buffet of grilled fish skewers, tomato and mozzarella rice balls; roasted lamb shank and couscous, plus a selection of very good desserts. And how did the front-of-house folks treat you? Attentive, international, multi-lingual and swift on the table service. Empty plates and glasses are whisked away, replaced with new ones almost immediately. What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here? A place that feels new and fresh for when you’re tired of trattorias." - Maresa Manara

"In early 2022, acclaimed Sicilian chef Ciccio Sultano opened Giano in the W Hotel, where the warm spaces are replete with plush velvet couches and wood-clad walls. Lunch is geared towards elevated, earthy island classics like insalata finocchi e arancia, which features flavorful fennel and seasonal citrus, and pacchero fuori Norma, tubular house-extruded pasta heaped with fried eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and grated ricotta salata. Meanwhile, the dinner menu is a celebration of the Sicilian sea and mountains, with dishes like tagliolini with artichokes and sweet red shrimp from Mazara del Vallo, as well as suckling pig from the Nebrodi Mountains. Fulfilling its role as a hotel restaurant, Giano also serves breakfast and aperitivo daily, as well as a Sunday “Bella Brunch.”" - Katie Parla