Mix It Up

by Danilo Brunetti

Original cocktails and innovative fusion cuisine make up the offerings at Ginny, Prati’s hottest new restaurant. Danilo Brunetti reviews.

The art of mixology is all the rage on Rome’s contemporary dining scene, and Ginny, a brand-new establishment in the Prati neighborhood, is no exception. This trendy eatery has even given homage to mixed drinks in its name: a personalized version of the most common base alcohol of many cocktails. Upon walking inside, the first thing a guest encounters is a large and original wooden bar that promises a rich selection of cocktails to sip while you wait for your table.

The restaurant is conceived in an elegant New York style with wood paneling, refined wallpaper, and velvet seats providing a welcome change from the typical restaurant interiors of the area. The menu continues on a modern bent, with mostly international dishes such as fried Halloumi, Nasi Goreng, or fish & chips with tartare sauce. Noteworthy cold dishes include spicy tuna tartare with stracciatella, edamame, and Asian dressing, and salmon with golden kiwi, coconut cream, and chives. Diners can also find a dish inspired by the Roman tradition, but updated to be fresh and light on the palate, perfect for the summer heat: tonnarelli cacio e pepe with raw shrimp and lime. On the lunch menu, pizza al padellino stands out for its lightness, made with long-leavening mother yeast, crunchy on the outside and soft in the center, with both classic and more unusual toppings, such as buffalo stracciata and raw shrimp, or Romagna squacquerone cheese.

The well-stocked wine cellar deserves a particular note of merit, featuring famous Italian labels as well as French bottles—both champagne and still wines. The restaurant opens early in the morning with Continental and American breakfast. Outdoor space available. Open Mon–Thu, 8am–1am; Fri, Sat, 8am–2am.

> Via G. Vitelleschi, 44. Tel 0645476520.