La Mimosa Fiorota - Food and Fun

Drew enjoyed our time at La Mimosa. The food was the best we had tasted in Rome, but the reason why he really liked it was the craziness of the owner, his family and the waiting staff.

This began on arrival with the well orchestrated attempts by the staff not to notice we were waiting in the lobby. This wasn't personal to us, they played the same game with everyone who arrived. Their best effort was 12 minutes of a couple waiting, we were sat in only 5 minutes. Locals (or perhaps regulars) knew better and would just walk in and sit down without any of the anxious waiting in the lobby. Pepino, the owner, a man in his 60s, seemed to be meant to be the maître d' waiting at the front desk in the lobby. But he was to busy running round like crazy after the waiting or kitchen staff - or indeed his two sons who looked as if they had just come for dinner but got roped in anyway.  

Clearly Pepino was also the one who was due to answer the phone and take reservations. On one occasion when the phone had rung and rung one of the kitchen staff picked it up and carried it through the restaurant, still ringing, calling Pepino.

An American guy arrived on his own, after waiting for 10 minutes in the lobby he asked if he could arrange take-away. Pepino said yes and gave him a menu. 15 minutes later he came back and asked him what he wanted. As well as Pizza he wanted a litre of 'Diet Coke'  Pepino was perplexed, not knowing what this was. The American explained it was Coke without sugar. Finally one of the diners came in from the patio part of the restaurant and Explained that it was 'Coke Light' mystery resolved. The guys pizza eventually arrived, but he foolishly let the staff  member go before paying. It was another 10 minutes before he was able to pay. This was only achieved when one of the waiters went to take his money and Pepino leapt out as this was his job. 

So not only did have good fun but we had great food. Drew started with Prosciutto Crudo do Parma and a very generous potion it was, very tasty. I went for the Antipasto Misto all'Italiana which had two types of salami, prosciutto and bresaola and some olives, a lovely mix of flavours.

For prima piatti Drew opted for something that tasted a lot better than it looked -Risotto alle erbe, ignoring its vibrant green colour it was beutifully cooked risotto rice with loads and loads of basil, oregano and rosemary flavour, superb. I went for the Paccheri, Cozze, Melanzane e Pecorino it is the first time I've encountered the large circular pasta called paccheri, but it worked well in catching the flavours of this dish, the mussels (cozze) were of excellent size and quality, as good (almost) as those from the Gower. The cheese gratinated over the dish worked to give it a spicy, salty flavour - a really knock out set of flavours. I'll try this again if I get the chance.

For second piatti Drew had Straccetti di Manzo con Rucola, the meat was torn into pieces as the name implied and the rocket acted as a peppery accompaniment. I opted for Scalloppina Funghi Porcini, this was the most tender piece of veal I've tasted since I've been on holiday, the porcini made a wonderful sauce which worked to enhance the veal flavour.

I finished with ananas, a lovely refreshing flavour and Drew opted for sorbetti limone.

An excellent way to spend our last night in Rome.

We then walked back the two miles to the hotel, and guess what we saw as we approached the roundabout near our hotel, yes, you've guessed it - a laundrette (see my earlier post for an explanation of us searching for one). We laughed at out own stupidity, to be looking for one online when a physical one was about 200 yards from the hotel door. Luckily it opens at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow, so we can be there before the last of our clothes are dirty!