Il Pagliaccio

I’m grading four stars for the gourmet tastes and superb service. It’s owned by top chef, it’s a Michelin rated restaurant, it’s the elite hip at its best. I did not like it.
Yes it’s beautiful yes it has new tastes, but I prefer the Italian food at its classic rustic form.
I’m fed up with pomposity and with paying top money to see food being presented as an art show. I can’t argue with the quality or tastes, but personally it is not what I was looking for in Italy.
And again — personally, I think michelin is disconnected from real life and I prefer real food.
I wont reject some amusements as an appetizer or between the courses but I want to be able to differ between the amuse Bouche and the actual food. I would like to rate it below four stars since we came out feeling ripped off, but I wouldn’t dare… yes I’m a chicken. See my pics. I’ll let them speak for these overs.

Be prepared for an epic dining experience. The service at this restaurant is impeccable … the food is inventive and bold chances are taken by the kitchen in many cases with delicious results. The presentations are drop dead gorgeous … It’s expensive but you get what you pay for. Enjoy!

An incredible Michelin two star restaurant.
Chef /​Owner Anthony Genovese makes a bold statement of true Roman cuisine. Seriously, the philosophy of the restaurant alone is intriguing: «Colors; movements; shapes; ingredients; spices; horizons; emotions; places; respect; all in a circus of flavors». It truly delivers and then some.
Two degustation menus for spring, (eight course, € 130; 12 course, € 150) or ala carte averaging € 50 per dish. Each delivers!
Start with an assortment of amuses that hint at Roman sensibility and bold flavor. Continue with courses that cause a sensory overload like the red prawn, golden carrot, black rice, yellow passion fruit; a gorgeous palate of colors.
Follow it up with a course called «Remembering my grandfather», a simple and perfect al dente ziti pasta with salt cod, the essence of chili and cauliflower crème. Such incredible balance. Such incredible flavor extraction; delish!
The sublime courses go on and on.
An expansive desert service consisting of a pre desert intermezzo to freshen up the palate. The ungodly good caramelized pear, honey and ginger ice cream, juniper and port. A brown bread ice cream and caramel chocolate truffle, crisp cornflake sand (brown bread ice cream is the basic ice cream base plus finely torn bread for the chewy, textural balance). Desert service concludes with a selection of petifores. Despite their their bold, colorful appearance, all of the deserts show a remarkable finesse and only a delicate sweetness allowing the base flavors of the ingredients to shine through.
Global wine list with extreme emphasis on Italy. Use the sommelier. It is impossible to get through the 500 plus selection list. The list is heavily weighted towards Italian gems but truly stick to the Lazio DOC for the best pairings. Wines selected all sub € 150.
Small 28 seat dining room. Strict no mobiles, no photos policy to ensure the privacy of their guest. (still wondering how some people took pictures of the food). Privacy is so important that they lock the door to the restaurant. You need to be shown out. English menu’s.
English spoken. Advanced booking a month in advance required. All things considered, a great investment in pleasure at just shy of € 850 inclusive of service for three.
The clown is no joke giving us a glance at just how creative and elevated Roman cuisine can be.

Amazing.
Il Pagliaccio is amazing.
We waited for the hiccup, the course that was an afterthought. The flavors that didn’t meld and dance on your tongue. It never came.
We did the 10 course tasting, and really you’d be foolish to order a la carte anyway as it’s priced absurdly high.
I have never encountered a tasting menu where each course was at such a consistently high level. Never. All restaurants, at all star levels, that I have ever been to do not compare, and I will edit this if it ever changes.
Good wine list, the bottle we ordered with their guidance was as incredible as the food.
Friendly service, much less stiff than a lot of Michelin restaurants seem to be. Staff was excited to hear us gush about the food.
6 Unilocal stars never in question, this clown is no joke.