The story
Trattoria Pennestri opened in 2017, the realisation of a long-held dream for chef Tommaso Pennestri and sommelier Valeria Payero. Both had spent over two decades in the industry — Tommaso in the kitchen, Valeria in the dining room and cellar — and together they set out to create a new kind of trattoria, one centred on the guest and their time. Their work earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition of good quality, good value cooking that perfectly suits their approach.
The kitchen draws from Tommaso’s childhood memories and the traditions of Rome, but it is not a museum piece. He works with dedication to find an equilibrium between tradition and innovation, giving space to both the most renowned dishes of Roman tradition and new combinations born from constant study. The menu is essential and lean, with daily surprises, and follows the seasonality of ingredients from nearby markets.
The restaurant sits in the heart of the Ostiense district, an area of energy and transformation near the Piramide Cestia and the old gasometer. The dining room reflects this connection to Rome: raw wood tables speak to conviviality and a respect for materials, while the red and grey walls recall the facades of historic palazzi and the bark of plane trees along the Tiber. The atmosphere is warm and elegant without pretence, made to welcome.
Valeria curates the wine list with the same philosophy. It is not enormous, but the result of continuous research, with a particular focus on the Lazio region alongside small producers from across Italy. The list refuses dogma, with room for natural and organic wines alongside excellent traditional labels. The service, led by Valeria and Tommaso with their young team, aims to make guests feel at home — a place to linger after dinner for another glass and conversation. This is Italian cooking at its most genuine, rooted in the seasons and built on personal relationships with local growers and suppliers.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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