So, I’d been hearing whispers about this place, Trattoria da Teo, for a little while now. You know how it is, someone mentions it, then someone else. Finally, the other evening, my wife and I decided, “Alright, let’s go see what the fuss is all about.” We didn’t book, just kind of showed up, hoping for the best. Sometimes those spontaneous trips turn out to be the most interesting ones.
First Impressions
Walking in, it wasn’t what I expected, really. Not one of those super modern, minimalist places that are all the rage. Nah, Trattoria da Teo felt… lived in. Warm. Lots of dark wood, photos on the wall that looked like they’d been there for ages, checkered tablecloths – the whole classic Italian trattoria vibe. It was bustling, not too loud, but definitely a good buzz about the place. Felt like a genuine neighborhood spot, not some tourist trap. We actually had to wait a few minutes for a table, which I usually don’t mind, gives you a chance to soak it all in.
Getting Settled and Ordering
They found us a cozy little table in a corner. The menus came, pretty straightforward, no fancy descriptions, just good old Italian fare. Our waiter, an older chap, seemed like he’d seen it all. He wasn’t overly chatty but efficient and had a bit of a twinkle in his eye. We asked for a recommendation on the wine, and he pointed us to a decent house red. No upselling, just honest advice. I always appreciate that. We took our time looking through the options, everything sounded tempting, to be honest.
The Main Event: Food!
Okay, so here’s what we got. I’m a sucker for good pasta, so I had to try their signature dish, or at least what I hoped was one. Here’s a rundown:
- Cacio e Pepe: My wife went for this. I had a taste, and man, it was spot on. Simple, but so hard to get right. Creamy, peppery, just perfect. You could tell they used good quality cheese and pepper.
- Saltimbocca: I decided to go for something meaty. The Saltimbocca alla Romana. Veal, prosciutto, sage – classic. It was tender, the sauce was rich but not overpowering. It came with a side of roasted potatoes that were just crispy enough.
- A shared Tiramisu: We were pretty full, but come on, you can’t go to a trattoria and not get tiramisu, right? It was homemade, you could tell. Not too sweet, good coffee kick. Definitely a good way to finish.
Everything just tasted… real. Authentic. Like someone’s grandmother was actually in the kitchen, cooking with love. No frills, just solid, hearty food. The portions were generous too, none of that nouvelle cuisine nonsense where you need a magnifying glass to find your dinner.
Wrapping Up the Evening
The service remained pretty good throughout. Attentive enough without hovering over you. We never felt rushed, even though the place was busy. We just sat back, enjoyed our food, the wine, and the general atmosphere. It felt comfortable, like we could have stayed there chatting for hours. When the bill came, it was pretty reasonable for the quality and amount of food we got. I’ve definitely paid more for a lot less satisfying meals.
So, yeah, Trattoria da Teo. It was a good find. Not a place for a super fancy, once-in-a-lifetime occasion maybe, but for a genuinely good, honest Italian meal? Absolutely. I’ve already been thinking about what I’ll try next time I go back. Sometimes, these simple, unpretentious places are the real gems. Definitely one for my personal record book of good spots.
