Eataly locations across the country are inviting diners on a captivating culinary journey to the heart of Italy with the “Taste of Roma” experience at their La Pizza & La Pasta restaurants. This exciting new regional program, running for eight weeks through June 29, 2025, celebrates the vibrant flavors and authentic traditions of Roman cuisine. Prepare to immerse yourself in a true Roman dining adventure, savoring iconic dishes, regional beverages, and an unparalleled Italian atmosphere that brings the Eternal City to your table.
La Pizza & La Pasta Reimagined: A Regional Culinary Deep Dive
Eataly is evolving its beloved La Pizza & La Pasta concept to highlight the diverse culinary heritage of Italy’s various regions, starting with the capital.
Indulgent Flavors Directly from Lazio
The Taste of Roma menu at La Pizza & La Pasta is a tribute to the celebrated icons of Roman gastronomy, featuring Eataly’s unique interpretations of beloved classics. Guests can begin with tempting antipasti such as crispy supplì cacio e pepe made with Pecorino Romano and black pepper or fried artichokes (Carciofo Fritto alla Romana) served tableside with a creamy Cacio e Pepe sauce, lemon zest, and mint. Other appetizers include Bruschetta Romana with whipped ricotta and crumbled guanciale and Polpette Fritte (crispy housemade pork and beef meatballs) with spicy tomato sauce.
The pasta selection is equally inviting, showcasing Roman staples like rich Rigatoni alla Carbonara with San Carlo Guanciale, eggs, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper, or the indulgent Fettucine “Alfredo” Burro e Parmigiano Reggiano® DOP, made simply with housemade pasta, butter, and 18-month Parmigiano Reggiano. A unique pizza offering, Pizza Tre Carciofi, rounds out the menu with artichoke purée, sautéed artichokes, mozzarella, artichoke chips, and fresh mint. We were invited in for a taste of the menu and enjoyed the light but flavorful tastes of the special Roman menu.
According to Diego Puddu, Director of Culinary at Eataly North America, the inspiration behind this regionally focused program stems from Eataly’s core mission. “Since the beginning, Eataly has been proud to represent the diversity of Italy and its 20 unique regions, which we aim to represent in different touchpoints throughout each of our stores, from our restaurants to retail,” he explains. “Education and authenticity are core pillars of our brand, so this new program at La Pizza & La Pasta was developed with this in mind – it follows the rich culinary traditions of the country by focusing on one region and its traditional dishes for a period of eight weeks.”
Why Rome? Unpacking the Roman Culinary Inspiration
Rome and the Lazio region were chosen as the perfect debut for this new dining experience at Eataly due to their global recognition. “Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most instantly recognizable cities in the world, so we were excited to start our program with the region of Lazio,” says Diego Puddu. He elaborated on the specific elements of Roman cuisine that influenced the initial menu selections: “As we developed the menu, we had a couple of key elements in mind: the famous pasta dishes that hail from Rome like cacio e pepe and carbonara, one of Rome’s most beloved vegetables, the artichoke, and the fried dishes that Romans love from meatballs to supplì.”
Eataly’s approach to “interpretations on the classics” focuses on honoring the essence of iconic Roman dishes while incorporating their unique culinary perspective. “With our regional program at La Pizza & La Pasta, we wanted to remain authentically Italian with traditional recipes while also prioritizing innovation and an unforgettable guest experience,” Puddu stated. He cited their Carciofo Fritto alla Romana as an example, where fresh artichokes are deep-fried in true Roman tradition but then served tableside, “finishing it with a rich Pecorino Romano and fresh black pepper ‘cacio e pepe’ sauce” for an added Eataly twist.
The beverage menu is thoughtfully designed to complement the flavors of the Lazio region. Diego Puddu noted that while crafted uniquely for each store, the programs across North American locations are developed to enhance the highlighted regional dishes. This includes a selection of cocktails, beers, and Vini Regionali, available by the glass or in traditional half-liter carafes for sharing, providing a true taste of Lazio’s terroir.
