Note: Pianostrada has since moved to Via delle Zoccolette 22 (not far from Trastevere) and bookings are essential. Read about their new venture here.
Pianostrada Laboratorio di Cucina opened in Trastevere in May.
It’s taken me 4 long months to get there but I can safely say I will probably spend the next few months making up for lost time.
This sandwich and street-food bar is owned by Paola, her daughters Alice and Flaminia and her friend Chiara.
Yes, in a climate of economic decline, these four courageous women decided to take a leap of faith and follow their foodie dream.
Paola says she worked for over 25 years in the professional services sector but felt like she was in a prison. Unhappy in her job, with food and cooking being her ultimate passion in life, she says the idea for Pianostrada was born from her desire to bring her home cooking to life: “Volevo portare la mia casa a voi.”
With all food created express and right before your eyes, showcasing the freshest and most unique of ingredients, the team prides itself on quality. Paola says, “I would never let a diner eat what I wouldn’t eat.”
And if that’s the case, I like her taste!
The menu at this tiny hole-in-the-wall (think about 4 benches and a bench that lines the open kitchen with bar stools) features gourmet sandwiches, salads and generally a pasta and main course special of the day. It changes daily and seasonally to reflect product availability. All of their https://tramadolhclnorx.com bread, including the amazing Pugliese style focaccia is baked on site and most types are left to levitate for hours.
Here’s what we ate:
Focaccia with prosciutto and figs
Pane Mare (Squid ink bread sandwich with smoked swordfish, fig buffalo mozzarella, pink peppercorn and rosemary olive oil)
BaccaBurger (Squid ink bread bun with a baccalà (salt cod) patty, zucchini flowers and homemade egg mayonnaise)
Buffalo ricotta tiramisu with figs and honey (made by Alice who’s in charge of sweets!)
And a little taste of the almond and choc chip ciambellone cake
Some other menu items which tempted me include:
“Fish & Chips” – Tuna croquettes with lemon and thyme infused ricotta served with potato chipsPorchetta sandwich with radicchio, orange, mint and Dijon mustardEggplant stack of roast tomatoes, red onions from Tropea, burrata and basil
I want to try it all. Oh and having your food prepared while you watch and seeing these wonderful women interact is all part of the fun!
Pianostrada Laboratorio di Cucina is another feather in Trastevere’s cap and brings real credibility to the food and dining scene of the neighborhood.
These women welcome you like friends and their passion and energy is contagious, while their creativity and determination is admirable.
Get on to it!
The Facts
Pianostrada Laboratorio Di Cucina
Vicolo del Cedro 26, Rome
+39 06 9521 5045
Open daily for lunch (12:30pm-3:30pm) and dinner (6:30pm till late)
Closed Wednesdays (from October)
Takeaway orders available
Salads €8-11
Sandwiches €8-10
Pasta & Main Course €12-14
Desserts €6
Follow them on the web:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pianostrada
Instagram: @pianostrada
Signing off (proudly!) from Trastevere (with a bit of a new cafe crush)
Baci Maria
