My favorite meal in Rome: Il Nido del Pettirosso
As much as I enjoyed Angelina Restaurant, Il Nido del Pettirosso was my favorite meal in Rome. While the name doesn’t exactly roll off of the tongue, it was more than a dinner, it was a dining experience.
Even though we had a reservation, we still had to wait for our table. The owner was sweet, and we didn’t mind. As you can see, the restaurant is tiny and our group took up half of the room. By the time we were done eating our food, we were the only ones left.
We love to share our food so that we can experience many different items off of the menu. This works out wonderfully for my belly and my wallet. 
What we ordered.
At the top of the page was the quinoa salad with seasonal vegetables and a pistachio pesto. This was most people’s favorite dish. It was delicious.
Here is a sample of some of the things we ordered. If I posted pictures of everything we ordered from Il Nido del Pettirosso, the page wouldn’t load.
Raw prawns, carrot puree, celery, apple, chives, orange and lemon rind was very light and flavorful.
I love anything with quail eggs so you know I loved this: Quail eggs in a nest of vegetable tempura, cream of Casalvieri saffron, mushrooms and peppers. This was so good and the tempura which can be heavy if not cooked right was fantastic. I think Nancy might have licked the plate clean, or was that me?
I’m a huge fan of risotto and an even huger fan of foi gras so ordering this risotto was a no brainer. It also included champagne, candied fruits and fresh herbs. Every bite was heaven in my mouth.
Duck is something I never get enough of but I usually find myself disappointed when I order it in nice restaurants. I devour the duck you find hanging in an Asian restaurant or market that’s juicy and full of flavor. Nice places will overcook it and make it dry. The chef suggested the duck be served rare so that is how I ordered it. The flavor was amazing. This was my favorite dish of the night. Trust me, it doesn’t photograph as good as it tastes.
Free food!
Since we were the last ones standing (or sitting as the case may be) and we had to wait to get seated the owner served us a free dessert platter. What a treat! We loved our meal and to get a free dessert also, what more could we ask for? It was the perfect size for us because we were full to bursting.
If you ever get to Rome, I highly recommend this tiny restaurant. Make a reservation and bring an empty stomach.
I’ve never even seen food that pretty in person! Thanks for sharing!
We will have to change that Brenda. 🙂
What a sumptuous meal. I love the food presentation.
I love that the food tasted as good as it looked. A feast for the eyes and the belly.
What stands out to me is that judging from the photo, the restaurant really is very tiny. It almost looks like you’re having dinner over at someone’s home! How’s the ambience?
It was so small, we were talking to the people at the table next to us. It felt warm and intimate, like you are at a friend’s house for a very fancy dinner party. Not claustrophobic at all. Just make sure that you have a reservation.
It was like a dream. I hope to go back because I am already forgetting the deliciousness of that evening.
Yes, I would love to have that meal again.
What a colorful palette the chef created for you. The meal looked fun and interesting.
I love food that looks as good as it tastes. But if I have to choose, I’m going with taste, LOL.
All the food looked amazing, but I’m such a picky eater!!!! 🙁 I need to have courage in my palate to be more adventurous when it comes to food. Great post!
Mo, we are doing an exotic food tour while in Hanoi, not going to lie, I’m a little nervous but I do love trying foods that are specialties of wherever I am. Some I like, some I don’t. The tripe sandwich in Florence, I didn’t like, LOL.
This looks fantastic! I love little places like this. If I ever make it to Rome, Il Nido del Pettirosso is the first place I’m eating.
Yay, I hope that you love it as much as we did John.
I love food, I work in the hotel trade and even I have to say they are some f the best dishes I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for stopping by Kevin. Sometimes I wish I didn’t love food so much, LOL.
OMG! That desert is mouth watering!!! I’d love that risotto too! Sadly looking at the menu I don’t find much options for veggies like me! 🙁
Actually, one of my friends is a vegetarian and she loved the food. Ordered 2 of the quinoa (since she shared the first bowl) and the gnocchi. She was a happy camper.
What an extensive menu for such a small restaurant which almost looks like it’s in someone’s house!
We were thoroughly impressed by the whole experience, the owner was a wonderful host and checked on us often but not so much that it felt intrusive. Definitely had a dinner party feel to it.
I love love love Italian food! And the Nido seems to put a brilliant fusion twist on it. I can’t wait to try.
Happy continued travels!
C
I hope that you make it there Carola, was a truly fabulous meal.
Happy travels to you as well. 🙂
It seems you had a true celebration, not an ordinary dining! And as I can see in your photos, you had a great company as well!
As fabulous as the meal was, the company was definitely better. Love spending time with my girlfriends!
This is so great I love going out with family to eat and also with friends, being able to enjoy good food and company is great for the soul.
It really is Sheri. <3