Rachel A.
Yelp
I had one request before leaving Rome: to eat traditional Roman style pizza.
My Roman friend suggested Da Baffeto. I was ecstatic that my American friend's recommendation and internet search was validated by a local. I'd also like to clarify that she did not suggest this place because it is touristy, but because it is where she goes for Roman style pizza.
Cracker thin and as big as a record, real pizza (not fast food pizza) from a restaurant is mainly served for dinner. Do not make the mistake of going to Da Baffetto for lunch. They will be closed. Also, it takes awhile for the wood fired ovens to heat up and boy are they hot. So hot, if you lift your pizza up to check out the crust, you will find spots of charred crust. This is normal, good, and all part of the charm.
A medium versus a large pizza is not much of a difference in size. It's about a Euro difference in price. Splurge. The pizzas are personal servings and since they are so thin, you will have no problem putting it away. After all, didn't you come to Italy to eat REAL pizza?
We ordered three different types of pizza- one with anchovies, one with bresaola and arugula, and one with zucchini and squash blossoms. The bresaola one also had squash blossoms on it.
I found the pizza okay. I like Da Baffetto more for the ambiance. Think communal tables, long lines, and a crazy owner. He was a personality similar to that guy who serves and denies soup in the USA.
The toppings on the pizza weren't evenly distributed and the sauce didn't leave much of an impression. I found it a little difficult to eat. How does one eat Roman pizza? They don't slice it for you but you do have utensils. We sort of did half and half. Sometimes tore it and ate it bit by bit, other times sliced off a triangle and folded it into something with weight on it.
The food is simple at Da Baffetto. I'd definitely go to check it out. However leaving, I did ponder if it was all hype. Should I have given it four stars? This place is like going to Grimaldi's in New York City, kind of a toss up.