Vinando A Tor Margana - Rom

Found this place after walking through a nice alley on our way back from a tour. The outside patio area looked quaint and inviting. The menu was on the pricier end, but decided to try. We were seated inside. They had wine bottles on the wall and the atmosphere was nice. The server was friendly, which made it welcoming at first. The server brought bread to us, which we thought was initally free as a few of the restaurants we have been to, did not charge for bread. It was not free, the server did not say anything to us, and found out at the end with the bill, and that was unfortunate as we would've declined it. We decided to order the appetizer the octopus -Luciano style, and for mains, the Gnocchi with tomato sauce and bacon and Spaghetti with clams along with 2 glasses of wine. The food was disappointing. The octopus appetizer was not good, it was chewy, and just did not taste right. We were not able to finish it and felt badly about it because we don't like wasting food. My partner had the Gnocchi and he said it was average and my Spaghetti with clams was more Spaghetti if anything and barely had any clams. The clams were extremely small and half the shells were empty. It was also flavourless. Upon the bill was a high cover charge and they expected a tip and requested for one which I did not provide. They were the only restaurant that requested a tip in all the places I've eaten while in Italy. The man looked displeased and unhappy when I only paid the high bill which was not worth it. Would not recommend this place at all. Beware of extra charges on the bill. My bill came up to 90 euros with everything.

Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: €20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Abbiamo ordinato un antipasto, solo patate, il personale ha mentito dicendo che ci sarebbero voluti 15 minuti, ma abbiamo aspettato 25 minuti, quindi siamo dovuti andare via, quando abbiamo sentito questo, il cameriere ha sorriso in modo suggestivo e ci ha cacciato via. Prima abbiamo mentito dicendo che stavamo aspettando 7 minuti. We ordered an appetizer, only potatoes, the staff lied that it would take 15 minutes, but we waited 25 minutes, so we had to leave. When we heard this, the waiter smiled suggestively and shooed us away. Earlier we lied that we were waiting for 7 minutes.

Iconic place in the heart of rome, very quite, perfect to have the tipical Roman food, I tried the lamb, ravioli with shrimps and focaccia, it was delicious and the presentation as well. The service it was very good nice and kind waiter, he also gives me a tip about good place to visit in Rome. If I come back Rome, I will be here again. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

The location in a cozy square and the cozy ambiance offered much promise. Sadly, the cooking didn’t live up to the expectations. Nothing was bad, it just wasn’t inspiring. For the prices charged starters and mains are €15 25 each, the bill can easily rack up to €40 per head, even without wine. I was also disappointed to see the waiter point to the card machine and tell me that I could add a tip. He made sure I was informed that the coperto of €3 per head “belongs to the owner”. I am not averse to leaving tips but a restaurant that charges high prices and then adds a more than average coperto better pay its staff without them having to guilt trip patrons into leaving tips. Certainly far better value dining options in the neighbourhood.