A large window overlooking Piazza Barberini and Bernini’s magnificent “Fontana del Tritone”, industrial-chic design with atmospheres that recall Piccadilly Circus in London, international cuisine with Japanese-Brazilian sushi, raw seafood, Roman pinse and contemporary dishes, a cocktail bar with drinks and carefree evenings every day different from each other. This is “Aforisma”, the local protagonist of the nightlife in the historic center of Rome.
We booked a table overlooking the square, between the large arched windows and the striking brick pillar in industrial style. The atmosphere is warm, and relaxed, you can feel it from the soft lights and deep-house music in the background.
At the entrance, we are struck by the words “Wear your best smile”, a poster that perfectly represents the mood of a carefree evening with friends.
To start we order a pinsa “Aforisma” with salame ciauscolo, smoked provola cheese and rocket, and a mix of uramaki freshly prepared by the chef: “Tuna and pistachios” with tempura prawns, philadelphia, avocado, tuna, and chopped pistachio cover and the “Branzino special” with sea bass, avocado, philadelphia, seared sea bass cover, truffle cream topping.
The barman suggests us to combine it with two drinks, the “Artus” (gin, sage syrup, lime juice, and soda top flavored with hibiscus “and the “Beowulf” (homemade saffron syrup, lime juice, bergamot liqueur, and top of prosecco brut).
The aperitif refreshes our palate and helps us to “free our thoughts”, accompanying us on this Roman evening, with the lights of the eternal city that sparkle from the windows, and the music that becomes softer. We order some dishes from the menu to try the experience of an Aforisma dinner: braised beef with Barolo sauce with potato cream, grilled octopus with chicory pie, buffalo shredded and berry sauce, and tagliolini with red shrimp, yellow tomatoes, Marsala and basil cream.
Octopus
The braised meat was very soft and it melts in the mouth, the tagliolino and the octopus carry our taste buds towards the sea.
Braised meat with Barolo sauce
We accompany the tasting with a glass of Barbera d’Asti and one of Ribolla Gialla, recommended by the sommelier.
After toasting together to our smiles, we leave the dining area and approach the bar. We have some cocktails and we see that the room fills up for the evening. Customers from all over the world sit on the sofas, elegant girls and boys populate the counter and the center of the room. The bpm of the music goes up and we get carried away.
Time passes quickly, we went here for an aperitif and we stayed for hours dancing and tasting dishes and drinks.
At Aphorisma time seems to be something relative, the moments of an evening blend together to give life to a lively party, with blurred contours, and without too many rules.
Promising to come back we discover that every evening has a different theme: aperitifs and dinners every day from Wednesday to Sunday; live music and DJ sets on Thursday; dinners until midnight and dancing party until 3 am on Friday and Saturday, Sunday evening piano bar. The last “gem” we discover is the “Tales Room”, a beautiful private space where you can indulge in fantasy and imagination celebrating with friends.
