Al42 By Pasta Chef Rione S.angelo - Rom

If you're like me, part of your Italy trip preparation involves a careful compilation of restaurant recommendations that you must visit. Al42 was NOT on our list. Yet we were fortunate enough to stumble upon this Rome gem early in our trip to eat there twice. This is the part where I tell you the food is fresh and delicious, the value is incredible, and the service is personal and friendly. You knew that with the 5 star rating so let's move on. First, you will need to show up 30 minutes before restaurant opening. This number was an accurate sweet spot for our trip in January 2024. You should be one of the first groups to be seated. Next, visit the restaurant website to check out what should be the latest menu with pictures. If you find itself near the back of the line, perhaps think of a backup dish to order just in case they sell out your primary choice (happened to us). Keep in mind the restaurant may have a daily special that is not described on the website. For us, the pasta was the star of the show. Don't skip it for the meat dishes. The bolognese was divine. The tagliolini (with prawn) also hit the spot. The portions are quite generous so you will be quite satisfied with a pasta and meat. At these prices, I would visit this joint every week if I lived in Rome. Do your research. Eat like a local in Rome. Do NOT miss out on AI42.

The best Carbonara I have ever had anywhere! And I have had a lot of Carbonara in Rome. The fresh egg yolks, so rich and golden in color, and legit, salty pecorino Romano take this classic Roman dish to the next level. For this dish alone, the wait in line is worth it! While in Rome last year I stayed in the Monti neighborhood where Al 42 is located. I happened upon the place on one of my many strolls thought the charming streets filled with boutiques and restaurants. The line caught my attention and I figured the food must be good if people line up when there are dozens of fabulous restaurants nearby. Yep, there is a reason for the line! Dont let it stop you, the fellow customers are friendly and engaging and time moves fast. Now for some basics. While the food is top of the line, the venue is small and they don't have table service. The owner greets you, welcomes you inside where you are introduced to the menu, make your selections, pay, and then you are seated. I'm down with that! The tables are high tops and the stools are not that comfortable, but it's all worth it for the food. Also, there are no toilet facilities on site. For me, that isn't an issue, but for others with a small bladder, plan accordingly. Now back to the food. The fresh pasta is cooked to perfection with the perfect al dente bite. Cooked in the sauce for the last minute or two so that all the flavor is in the pasta, not just on top, it's sublime. The Carbonara was so good that I had to go back a second time while in Rome. This time I also ordered the fettuccine bolognese. The rich meat sauce was delicious and it was great to enjoy two pasta dishes that were so completely different. Save room for tiramisu! The perfect ending to a scrumptious meal. Oh, and the prices are incredible; you get a 5 star pasta dish for $11 or less. I love Rome!

Excellent tiramisu and Taglioni with prawns! Long wait but the fresh pastas are worth it!

Have you ever experienced food so good that you would wait for hours just to get a taste? Well, welcome to AL42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti, a restaurant in the heart of Rome that will have you drooling from the moment you step foot inside. From mouthwatering dishes to unforgettable encounters, this culinary haven is a must visit for any foodie traveler. Now, before I delve into the gastronomic wonderland that is AL42, let's address the elephant in the room the wait. Yes, my dear friends, there is typically a wait to enter this renowned establishment. But trust me when I say it's worth every minute of anticipation. We arrived around 7 p.m. and had to endure over an hour of longing stares at the lucky patrons savoring their meals. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right? Pro tip: If you want to minimize your waiting time, I'd recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early. And don't worry, the lively atmosphere in the queue will keep you entertained as you exchange stories with fellow food enthusiasts. Now, here's the catch there's no toilette at AL42. Yes, you heard that right. But hey, when you're about to embark on a culinary adventure of this magnitude, who needs a restroom anyway? Just make sure to plan your pit stops strategically before you get in line. So, what's the deal with the opening hours? AL42 opens its doors twice daily for a limited period from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and again from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Oh, and they're closed on Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. It's always advisable to double check their timings before you make your way to this food paradise. Once it's finally your turn, Chef Rione Monti himself will greet you and whisk you away to the menu hanging enticingly on the wall. Prepare to be enchanted as he passionately explains every dish, making your taste buds tingle with anticipation. Trust me; this man is a culinary wizard. After much deliberation, you'll place your order with the lovely ladies behind the counter. Don't worry; they're experts at multitasking and handling the sea of hungry customers. Just remember that there's a nominal charge for having your leftovers packed in a to go box. It's a small price to pay for the opportunity to savor these flavors later. Now, let's talk about the food. Oh, dear reader, I can hardly find the words to describe the sheer bliss that graced our palates. Chef Rione Monti was not exaggerating when he proclaimed his Carbonara to be the best. And let me tell you, as an American, I humbly admit that our attempts at Carbonara pale in comparison. This dish was beyond superb; it was life changing. In addition to the Carbonara, our party of four indulged in a feast of flavors. We ordered four different dishes, each more extraordinary than the last. Brace yourself for the culinary lineup: Fettuccine with Bolognese Sauce: Homemade with fresh egg pasta, a divine mix of beef and pork, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. It's a classic done to perfection. Fettuccine Alfredo: Homemade with fresh egg pasta, clarified butter, Parmesan cheese, milk, and cream. Creamy, dreamy, and utterly indulgent. Tonnarelli Alla Carbonara: Homemade with fresh egg pasta, tantalizing jowls, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Prepare to be blown away by the authentic taste. Ravioli: Homemade with fresh egg pasta, generously filled with ricotta cheese and seasonal vegetables. Each bite is like a tiny burst of joy. To complement our feast, we couldn't resist ordering a Caprese salad made with the freshest tomatoes, artisan buffalo mozzarella from Campania, and fragrant basil. It was so good that we found ourselves returning for a second round during our stay in Rome. As I sit here, reminiscing about our AL42 experience, I can't help but urge you to add it to your travel bucket list. The wait, the lack of a toilette, the opening hours these are mere obstacles that pale in comparison to the culinary bliss that awaits you. With a glowing 4.7 star rating from over 4.1k reviews at the time of this post, I can safely say that AL42 is a culinary masterpiece that will leave you longing for more. So, fellow foodies and adventurers, go forth and savor the delights of AL42. Immerse yourself in the magic of Chef Rione Monti's creations, revel in the bustling atmosphere, and let your taste buds dance with joy. Just remember, good things come to those who wait. Bon appétit!

When in Rome.... Pasta is a total must! We found the restaurant tucked away in a side alley among homes and away from the main drag. There was a long line and with only about 1 1/2 hours from closing, I was worried we may not be able to make it in time. After reading more reviews that it was worth the wait and a few others in line substantiating that claim, we decided to wait it out amongst the others. We quickly found out that they turned over tables fast and had a great system in place to keep customers in the know and kept the line moving. We waited maybe 30 45 minutes and got a small counter seating against the wall. It 's small and the space is tight, but we were happy to squeeze ourselves in. You first order up at the counter and then they bring your food to you. We ordered the bolognese, fettuccine alfredo, ravioli, and the special for the evening a fettuccine al tartufo nero. My husband luckily got the last of the special and yes, all this pasta for two adults and one child... lol. We dug into the pasta and oh my goodness, the pastas were completely divine. I honestly have never had pasta this good in my life. Simple, clean ingredients, and balanced flavors with perfectly cooked pasta. Authentic Italian cuisine and TOTALLY WORTH THE WAIT. The manager (i think) came by and chatted with us as well. He was incredibly friendly and brought over an extra chair and stacked it together to give my son an extra 'boost ' to reach his food better. Although we visited last year, during the summer of 2022, it was such a great experience and I continue to dream about this pasta and will for many years to come. Highly recommend stopping by here!