If you find yourself in Rome doing the whole tourist thing near the Pantheon, and have some cash to burn and a hankerin’ for some vino, strut your fabulous butt over to Casa Bleve and enter perhaps the most luxurious wine bar and restaurant that you’ve ever been to.
I had Casa Bleve on my list of “must-sees” in Rome after scouring the boards over at Chowhound to find the best wine bars in Rome. After a careful selection process (which was pretty much just figuring out what was close to stuff that we wanted to do – and that people could agree was a good place), Casa Bleve was “it”.
And “it” did not disappoint.
A mini Versailles dedicated to the tasting of delicious, gourmet Italian food and appreciation of wine, the nectar of the gods, the downright opulent surroundings made Frank Sinatra look like a hobo. But, now that you’ve read this post, you’ll dress nicely before you go. Unlike us…We felt like this:
Seriously, don’t look like a tourist.
That being said, the servers were perfectly nice and we did not feel discriminated against, other than being a bit embarrassed about our American selves garbed in t-shirts (but fancy ones!) and jeans.
PRO-TIP: Dress nicely here so that you don’t feel self conscious. You’re in a goddamn wine palace, after all.
We each had a glass of Italian red (it was so long ago now that I don’t remember, but I want to say that I had a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo…). Then, we chose this amazing gourmet sampler platter to share. On the menu, it’s:
Gli sfizi di Casa Bleve.
Involtino di peperone con spuma di tonno capperi e acciughe, Involtino di Pesce Spada con frutta di stagione, Fiore di zucca ripieno di ricotta e pistacchi, Mozzarella di Bufala con alici, Tacchino arrosto ripieno di ricotta e tartufo nero. € 18,00
The highlight for me was the zucchini flower stuffed with fresh ricotta. The anchovies were delicious, and even the steak tartare (which I normally won’t eat,…definitely won’t order) was light and perfect. I could have done without the salmon.
Delicious tasting plate.
The prices WERE expensive and I wouldn’t recommend this place if you really want to get down and dirty with numerous Italian wines. But if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and hordes of tourists, to a dignified and elegant dining room from the days of yore, then Casa Bleve is the spot.
How many years ago were the days of yore? Enough that the wine cellar here has one wall that dates back to Antiquity. Take that!
Important Information:
Casa Bleve – Via del Teatro Valle, 48, 00186 Roma (near the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.. and Tazza D’Oro…mmm… Easy walking distance!)
+ 39 06 686 5970
Open daily except Sundays: 12.30-15-00, then 19.00-23.00
Courtesy of the Casa Bleve website
Have YOU been to Casa Bleve in Rome? Have some great photos or a story to tell? Hook it up! Leave me a comment!
