The Galleria di Sopra is tucked away on a side street in the bustling town of Albano, at the foot of the Castelli Romani. This area of Rome is known for white wines, the most well-known of which is Frascati, with its fertile lands, like the stunning Lake Albano, owing much to the area’s volcanic past.
This stylish restaurant is run by Andrea and Claudio, two brothers who are keen to showcase local, seasonal, organic produce from around the area. While I have eaten many times in this area, this was my first visit to La Galleria, and I have to confess that I only came across it as my partner had won a voucher to eat there from an online competition.
Fears of a table by the loo, the leftover menu and ‘cheap seats’ service were soon swept away, as we were presented with a tasting menu in a sophisticated setting of a coverted granary, and a meal that took us almost three hours to finish. As it was January, the seasonal vegetable of the day was broccoli, which was accompanied by other seasonal favourites – borage and chestnuts.
After broccoli starters, we went on to gnocchetti with chestnuts, mushroom and borage, followed by ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ locally sourced organic beef. A kiwi sorbet to refresh the palatte and then onto the chocolate cake and chestnut fritters with cream.
Each course was explained by Andrea – where it came from, how it was grown/raised (I began to feel I knew the cow featured in our main course personally) and an explanation of how it was cooked. The bottle of local ‘Emma’ cesanese wine which was recommended to go with the beef on a ‘like it or send it back ‘ promise, stayed where it was.
Ok, this is not the cheapest place to eat in Rome, but for a special occasion, its well worth booking a table. The bill without the voucher would have been around 120 euros for 2, including the wine. And well worth it I have to say. One of the best meals I have eaten in Italy and just a stone’s throw from Lake Albano, for a post lunch walk (or stagger in my case)
La Galleria di Sopra
Via L. Murialdo 9
Albano
Tel: 06 932 2791
Mob: +39 333 608 3076
www.lagalleriadisopra.it
Closed on Mondays
Get to Albano on the train from Termin to explore the town. To reach the lake and area, you really need a car.
