DUE LADRONI / ROME
Choosing a restaurant in Rome can appear a daunting task. With its many different regional cuisines, Italy is the most interesting culinary experience in Europe. As Rome is both its capital and cultural centre, it offers many different dinner options that for a temporary visitor, it might seem impossible to choose.
The name Due Ladroni – which translates into “two thieves” in English – refers to the two managers who in the 1940s and ‘50s turned a small local tavern into a more sophisticated dining experience, while simultaneously raising the price level of the restaurant. Locals began calling the restaurant “I due ladroni” which became so popular a nickname that it was soon turned into the official name of the establishment.
Piazza Nicosa is also home to the first modern fountain in Rome, built in 1572 and originally placed at nearby Piazza del Popolo, around the central obelisk. The impressive size of the square seemed to demand a larger fountain, and so it was moved to the more modest Piazza Nicosa, where it was remodelled to fit in the style of the early 19th century. The fountain has ever since been visible from the restaurant terrace.
Since the 1980s, the restaurant is run by Salvatore Di Maria, who now has been joined by his two children, Daniele and Michela. Situated on a quiet corner in a lively neighbourhood, Due Ladroni is equally popular among locals as it is with temporary visitors. Observing the guests, it appears that they seem to share a combination of economic and cultural capital, or differently phrased, an understanding of the finer things in life as well as the means to enjoy them. Even among those guests who don’t live in Rome, many are regulars at the restaurant, as an evening here is considered a must when in Rome.