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Tre Scalini

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xine
xine
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4 out of 5
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4
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Editor Pick

Rome's Most Famous Dessert

  • October 14, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
Rome's Most Famous Dessert

Home of one of Rome's most famous desserts, Ristorante Tre Scalini, is a gem in one of the city's most beautiful piazzas. Located in the bustling Piazza Navona, the tables outside the restaurant are always filled with guests enjoying the lively square.

Piazza Navona is known not only for its multiple monuments, like the Fountain of the four Rivers scupture and Egyptian obelisk, or for it's buildings, like the Church of Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore, but also for the never-ending activity within. People of all ages stroll through the square throughout the day making a seat at a restaurant like Tre Scalini well worth the price.

Originally opening as an inn in the 1800s, this restaurant serves full Roman courses through lunch and dinner, and is very popular in the evenings for dessert and coffee. The specialty is unmistakably the "Tartufo" dessert, which is a very rich chocolate ice cream ball with whipped cream, cherry and heart-shaped cookie on top. It's the perfect ending to a romantic evening in this ancient city.

Tre Scalini (literally, "three small stairs"), ironically sits in a section of Rome where one doesn't need to climb stairs to get around, like many of the sections of the city. The only stairs near the restaurant are those around the large fountains in the piazza. On these small stairs, though, sit children and adults alike, while couples stroll hand in hand, and many stop to share a sweet treat together at the outdoor tables.

The service is extremely friendly and welcoming. At first, we felt a little weird only ordering a small dessert to shard, but don't feel obligated to order more than you want, as we noticed many people just come for this famous treat. Be prepared to pay inflated prices for the restaurant's popularity and the privilege to sit in the famous piazza. Splitting a dessert and 2 coffees could leave at least a 20euro hole in your wallet...but it's Rome, It's chocolate, it's Bernini's fountain, and it's worth a splurge.

• http://www.3-scalini.com/en/
• Piazza Navona, 30
• Phone 066 879148
• Open  Daily 11am-11:30pm

From journal Delicious Dining Choices in Rome

Editor Pick

Tre Scalini

  • July 4, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by jphil from New York, New York
Tre Scalini

By the time we made it to the Piazza Navona, we were absolutely ravenous. We decided to find a café to grab a bite before moving on. This was not a difficult feat. We had waiters trying to tempt us to eat at their café at multiple restaurants. We decided on one and sat down at an outdoor table in front. We were given menus and decided to split a couple of sandwiches. Our waiter took our order and then returned to inform us that they no longer had one of the sandwiches we wanted. We decided on a pizza instead. Having ordered our food and drink, the waiter brought over our iced coffee and lemon iced tea, both of which were terrific. The iced coffee came to the table with two miniature flags sticking out of the straws in celebration of the World Cup. He made sure one of the flags was the American flag for us.

The food arrived and either we were just so hungry as to be delirious, or else the food was wonderful. It was not the most authentic Italian food you will find, as the restaurant is located in such a touristy area, but it is definitely worth a try if you want to soak up the atmosphere of the Piazza Navona.

As we sat eating our food, a boy set himself in front of the café and started playing his violin and singing to entertain the patrons and the people in the square. We finished our food and sat gathering our energy for some more sight-seeing. As we were sitting, we witnessed a long argument ensuing at the next table over. Every time we thought the argument had finished, it would start all over again. Finally, with a “Basta; basta.” One of the parties got up and left the table.

With our bit of Italian excitement over, we paid and moved on to our next Rome spot. If you decide to try Tre Scalini, they also offer what looked like wonderful gelato. We saw many patrons walking around eating it, but were too full to try it ourselves.

From journal When in Rome

Tre Scalini

  • September 5, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Venezia from New York, New York
Known for their 'tartufo' - a chocolate chunk covered ice-cream ball with a cherry inside. They charge you an arm and a leg, but you are sitting in the most beautiful square in Rome, eating the most delicious ice cream--so it's okay!

From journal Some great new museums in Rome

Editor Pick

Tre Scalini

  • August 22, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by xine from Santa Monica, California
Possibly the best meal I had in Rome. I was so stuffed afterwards, but the food was great. The price really depends on how many courses you eat-- i.e. how much of a glutton you feel like being! The caprese salad (tomato and mozzarella) is very fresh and a great way to start off your meal. Share though-- the portions here are quite large. Four of us were eating so I got to sample the fettuccine with salmon, the fettuccine with truffle sauce, risotto with porcini mushrooms and spaghetti with clams (white sauce). I highly recommend all. Go for the spaghetti with clams if you want a lighter option. The fettuccine and risotto dishes are on the creamier/heavy side, but well-worth the extra calories. We also tried the eggplant parmigiana which was good, but on the salty side. I wasn't so impressed with the fried calamari and shrimp. Just not crisp enough. Stick with the pasta/risotto dishes and you won't be disappointed. For dessert, we had to try the Tre Scalini tartufo which is what they are famous for. It was very rich, but satisfying to those with a sweet tooth!

From journal Rome by Foot

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