Osteria der Belli - Trastevere {Eat Like a Roman}

November 08, 2017

Osteria der Belli - Trastevere {Eat Like a Roman}

I don't eat out that much anymore. I am not exactly sure why that is. My best guess is because after over a decade of living here in Rome I have a few favorite places and would much rather go with a sure thing where they know us than try somewhere new and be disappointed. I guess I am becoming more and more like a Roman.

That said, I am always happy to try someone else's neighborhood favorite, so I was thrilled to have lunch the other day at Osteria der Belli in Trastevere with my pal Maria to celebrate her new book.

This is a family run place with plenty of outside seating just around the corner from, Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

The menu here is a mix of the family's native Sardinia and their adopted Roman home. The table was soon covered with Maria's favorite antipasti like marinated swordfish and plates of peppery mussels. I wavered between Sardinian ravioli and just delivered orata with shavings of artichokes but instead chose fresh fettuccini (made by the sister in her pasta shop across the street) with porcini that were just coming into season and dusted with just the right chili bite.

Seafood is the real star here so make sure to ask what is fresh that day or stick with classics like spaghetti alle vongole or grilled calamari.

This is a place to linger so plan on a long and lazy lunch with dessert and coffee and an amaro while you sit outside and watch Trastevere life go by.