Ristorante Leo in Santa CroceVia Torta, 7/r055-210829Closed Mondays
The restaurant, built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater, whose interior contains original capitals dating to the middle ages, is lovingly overseen by Mario Conti, Roberto Esposito and Angelo Tocci, its owners and chefs. When we first ate at Leo’s many years ago, Mario came to our table and introduced himself. ‘Why have you not finished your pasta?’ he asked. When I replied that it was troppo, too much, he laughed. ‘You can always leave your wife, but you can never leave your pasta.’
Jane’s suggestions: Antipasti: carpaccio di zucchine (thinly sliced zucchini, white onion and parmesan cheese topped with the finest extra virgin olive oil. Secondi: scaloppine al gorgonzola (a soft blue cheese) e carciofi (artichokes) con spinaci, the lombatina di vitella alla griglia (grilled veal chop) or the salmone alla mediterranea.
