Romeo and Giulietta by Cristina Bowerman, in Rome, Testaccio. Tel. 0632110120. In Piazza dell’Emporio you’ll find many things; a restaurant and a bakery, an ice-cream parlour and a deli, a Neapolitan and Roman pizzeria. Located in an enormous converted showroom that can seat well over a hundred, is this creative culinary space at the bottom of the Aventine Hill in Testaccio, Rome. After the success of the Romeo eatery in the Prati district, Cristina Bowerman, the famed chef behind Glass Hostaria, and Fabio Spada, have embarked upon another impressive venture.

Together they have converted an old vehicle showroom into something original and versatile; the perfect spot for a variety of eateries, activities and events. Alongside the acclaimed Romeo is Giulietta, the pizzeria, and Frigo, the artisan ice cream parlour. Three places to eat in a gigantic space designed by architect Andrea Lupacchini. The entire building sits across seven street numbers, from 22 to 30, with its grand arched entrance facing onto Piazza dell’Emporio.

Romeo Chef & Baker

In the first part of Piazza dell’Emporio is Cristina Bowerman’s Romeo. The top chef fuses ‘pop food‘ and fine dining; a contemporary cuisine that combines flavours from Italy and abroad. Using only the finest ingredients, the menu changes according to the season.

Among the dishes on offer is oxtail stew with a celery coulis, a smoked fish soup, a turbot confit served with a potato mousse and charred radish, and a chocolate crumble. For those looking for a quick bite to eat during their lunch break, there’s also a menu of quicker, simpler dishes.

You’ll also find the Romeo Rome deli and bakery that offers a wide range of artisan specialities from Italy and abroad: from bread to pizza, pastries to home-made baked goods, and from cured meats to cheeses.

And then there’s the Romeo Rome cocktail bar. Seated at the twenty-five metre long bar you can choose from Riccardo Gambino’s carefully curated drinks menu. There’s everything from classic cocktails to drinks with a contemporary twist to enjoy as an aperitivo or after dinner.

Giulietta

Then there’s Bowerman and Spada’s newest creation that makes up a large part of the space. Giulietta puts an end to the debate about which city makes the best pizza. There’s a pizza oven dedicated to both the round Neapolitan and the thinner Roman pizza. The first is prepared according to the Salvo brothers’ recipe from their renowned pizzeria in San Giorgio a Cremano in Naples. The second, a crisper and thinner Roman pizza, is Marco Lungo’s recipe.

Hanging above the pizzeria is a customisable ceiling made up of mobile blocks that can be rearranged using an iPad, so that the lighting, the feel and the shape of the room can be changed depending on the mood.

Frigo

At the end of a tunnel, which passes by the kitchen (that hosts events and cookery courses); some tasting rooms; a conference room, and a bakery, is the artisan ice cream parlour Frigo. Many will remember Frigo as the ice cream van found at many of Rome’s local markets. Unlike Romeo and Giulietta Rome, Bowerman’s third creation has its own entrance in via Marmorata 30.

Romeo Chef & Baker, Piazza dell’Emporio 28, open every day, from 10am until 2am. Tel. 0632110120. Website and Facebook. 

Giulietta, Piazza dell’Emporio 28, open from 7pm until 12am, and also open from 12pm to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Frigo – Artisan ice cream, via Marmorata 30, open every day from 12pm to 12am. Website.

*Traduzione a cura di Corinna Parker