* a restaurant with a view
Ristorante Palozzetto
Genzano di Roma
Via Fratelli Cervi, 31
Genzano
06-939-6213
Owners: Ettore & Sandra Ronconi
Review copyright - Ginda Simpson
Perched above Lake Nemi in the
Castelli Romani district, this restaurant is a perfect choice for an
afternoon of pleasure. The
view from it terraces and the pristine air of the countryside that wraps
you in relaxing comfort act as a balm for city dwellers, who have come for
the day, or for travelers from afar.
Locals have savored its cuisine for decades.
Alfredo Ronconi, the original owner, has left a family legacy of
good food and warm hospitality that still draws a crowd of guests to the
tables of “Palozzetto” an affectionate nickname derived from the
original “Palozzo”.
We are seated on the balcony
with a panoramic view of Lake Nemi, a circular volcanic lake surrounded by
a lush and forested hillside. We
can’t keep our hands off the thick, crusty slices of Genzano bread as we
wait for our first course. When
our pastas arrive, we dive into them:
mine is Strozzapreti all’Amatriciana,
with its savory fresh tomato sauce, flavored with pork guanciale
and a kick of pepperoncino. My
husband’s Pappardelle al
cinghiale consist of wide flat
noodles with wild boar, delicately perfumed with rosemary and garlic.
When in the Roman countryside, one must sample the roasted lamb
that is so noted, so called scottodito
because it is expected that the diner, too impatient to wait for the
meat to cool, will burn his fingertips!
The vino da
tavola, a refreshing white wine is all one needs to accompany such a
satisfying meal. We left no
room for dessert – not even for the tiny wild strawberries for which
Nemi is famous.
Sandra and Alfredo’s son,
Ettore, have continued running the family restaurant with skill and a
genuine warmth of hospitality. The
spacious dining rooms are pleasant and unpretentious, offering what people
seek everywhere – a great meal like Nonna used to make!
If you are lucky enough to snag an outdoor table in the summer,
you’ll have a view that will hold you spellbound.