A restaurant recommendation

I don't usually post recommendations for restuarants. Frankly, despite everyone's "to die for" place in Rome, most of the eating houses are pretty good and you can follow the usual rules about choosing places a little away from the main tourist areas and do very well.

Today, however, Fr Charles and I happened, in God's providence, on somewhere rather special. After visiting Santa Maria in Trastevere, it was time for lunch and so we wandered off the square a little to find somewhere. This was where we landed up:

It looks fairly ordinary but when we realised that La Trattoria degli Amici was run by the Sant Egidio community, we immediately asked for a table. Here is a picture of the table cover which explains the ethos of the restaurant:

One of the features of the restaurant is "Wine for Life" where Italian wine producers help a holistic programme to treat those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

We had an excellent Barbera D'Alba (Domenico Clerico 2006 Trevigne) to accompany Mezze maniche all'amatriciana and Prosciutto e mozzarella, followed by a very good Saltimbocca alla Romana. The fizzy water came in a carafe, presumably gassed on the premises which is perfectly sensible.

The restaurant is a co-operative venture sponsored by the community of Sant' Egidio. Working people with disabilities are accompanied by friends who help out voluntarily: "because we do not believe in a world divided in two."

This is a great enterprise and not in any way patronising. I do not think I have seen a better wine list anywhere in Rome and the food is fresh, well prepared Roman fare. If you are going to visit Santa Maria in Trastevere, this is a highly recommended place to eat afterwards.

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