Ai Balestrari

When I lived near Campo de' Fiori last summer for about a month I got to know this pizzeria very well. It is just off the main square on the small street Via dei Balestrari (meaning the crossbowmen from balestra - crossbow) that runs off Campo's southeast corner. Over the summer I was there about twice a week either sitting outside having a pizza, or, more frequently, getting one to go (per portarvia) and then walking around the corner to my apartment. I was in there so often that I became friends with the pizza chef, an Egyptian named Malco who still waves every time I walk by.

The restaurant buys all their produce from the market in Campo de' Fiori every morning and everything is incredibly fresh. My go-to dish is the house pizza 'ai Balestrari' which is very simple, mozzarella, fresh basil, chopped tomatoes, a dash of salt and splash of olive oil (7 euros). Their others pizzas are good as well, the four cheese tends to me Florian's choice, and anything with veggies on it is very good. Their pasta is also good, although I have only had pasta there 2 or 3 times, the carbonara hits the spot. They have a very nice mixed fried antipasti and in the fall and winter months they do a very nice carciofi alla giudia (jewish-style fried artichokes). House wine runs 8 euros a liter and is quite tasty.

It can be difficult to get a table outside at night so calling ahead is generally a good idea if you want to be on the street, if you don't mind sitting inside you can usually just show up.

Via dei Balestrari, 41; 06 6861877. Pizza, wine and a little appetizer - about 20 euros.

Here's a very satisfied Florian in a borrowed woman's raincoat about to make a dash through the rain after a pizza and a liter or two of wine.