Zia Restaurant

For four years Antonio Ziantoni worked with Anthony Genovese of Rome's two-Michelin starred Il Pagliaccio and even with England's Gordon Ramsey. For his own venture, he chose Trastevere - a neighborhood in need of dining evolution, and the dividends have paid with the venue now boasting 1 Michelin star in its first years of operation. The interiors and fit-out at Zia are an ode to those all too familiar Scandinavian lines infiltrating the city but with Made in Italy design touches, Ziantoni and co. have truly made it their own. With less than 30 covers, it's an intimate space and away from the more crowded zones of the quartiere. The menu will attract a crowd looking for quality and innovation on the plate, but the prices remain extremely reasonable for Trastevere and for the refined technique you find on the plate. As you'd expect, the menu changes seasonally with some recent highlights including lamb sweetbreads with mozzarella and tomato; a delectable pulled pork salad; panzerotti with smoked cockerel; and a most tender lamb and mustard dish. And when it comes to dessert, Christian Marasca's delights don't disappoint, especially the spectacular Tourbillon. If innovative fine dining is what you're after in Rome, Zia certainly won't disappoint. TRAM: 3 8. BUS: 75, H.