Sometimes I like to pretend I’m not in Rome. I also like to make believe I’m in a different decade. So the other night when my friends and I planned a girls night out in Rome, we headed over to the newly opened Baccano.
Not only did it feel as it we had stepped off Via del Corso right onto West Broadway or Greene Street c. 1987 , what we ate and drank made us think we were right back in the ’80’s or ’90’s of our youth (minus the drugs of course).
Arlene, Gillian, Sienna and I settled ourselves into one of the cozy booths that front the bar. I swear to God, the designer took Kieth McNally 101 since really, we could have been in Balthazzaar, Lucky Strike, the Odeon, or Pastis. Take your pick. From the lighting fixtures to the menu written on mirrors, even the bread was artfully displayed alla McNally. We took our cues, and immediately pretended we were ‘downtown’ and ordered seriously good cocktails. The Pims Forever came just as it should, with chunks of cucumber as well as fresh fruit and berries. Strong enough and went perfectly with the ‘selection of appetizers.’
For 10 Euros we got not only our beautiful and delicious cocktail, but equally yummy antipasti. Small crostini with gravlax and goat cheese, as well as fig and prosciutto. Fluffy mini suppli. And the best of all, a tangle of tender baby fried squid.
As we were just finishing our second Pim’s Ruth, Betta and Teri joined us, so we decided to move over to the dining room.
While most of the ladies turned to the wine list, Gillian and I ordered from the craft beer list. A bottle of Olmaia La 9 went perfectly with our burgers and fries. Yes, burger and fries.
I told you we weren’t really in Rome.
Since we were time traveling already we ordered molten chocolate cakes to split. How, like, totally ’90’s of us, right?
If you’re a tourist visiting Rome, then Baccano isn’t gonna be the authentic Roman experience you’re hoping for. But if you’re living in Rome already, and looking for a nostalgic booze and burger-filled night on the town with your best girlfriends, this’ll do it for you.
Baccano
Via delle Muratte 23, Rome
06.69.941.166
For more information on dining in Rome, download my app, EAT ROME , available on iTunes and for Android.
That was a fun night. And yes, Baccano reminded me of my time in NYC in the late ’80s/early ’90s.
Great friends, drinks, and conversation.
I’ll be back for the fries.
Thanks Elizabeth! That was fun and more than anything I want to go and re-experience that Pimm’s Cup! The fries were good too… Next time I want to try the tuna burger! I do love the decor and love the sense of escaping Roma now and then!
I have a quick question/…this restaurant recently opened?? I had a burger and fries in Rome at a restaurant that was very similar about 3 years ago, and cannot remember the name. So American ..they even had Heinz ketchup! It was amazing..as i had been in Italy for 6 months and missed my burgers
Is sounds like a grand out with good friends alright. As Cole Porter would have said “Well did you evah… what a swell party this is!” Thanks for a most enjoyable post.
Oh Elizabeth, you are a girl after my own heart–this I already knew!–but I immediately thought “Lucky Strike” upon seeing the first photo, before reading on. So many happy memories of the latest of nights there, yes, in the late 80s/early 90s. Staying until they pulled down the blinds on the front windows after hours…Who knows, maybe we were drinking sidecars next to each other at the bar? 🙂
I just love it that our friends & tastes are the same! I also had a fantastic “American Breakfast” (eggs to order, bacon, toast, orange juice) the other morning, yummy!