In Ostia there is La Drogheria, Massimo's wine bar where every customer can find excellent advice on wines and their combinations, to eat something but above all to drink with friends.
If you are a gourmand and you want to spend a pleasant evening on the outskirts of Rome, I can recommend a truly extraordinary place. It's one of a kind, it's called The Drogheria and is located on the Roman coast, in Ostia, in Piazza Tor San Michele. We are a few steps from the sea and the central area. Rome is less than 20 minutes away by car, along the Via Cristoforo Colombo.
Ostia Drogheria, review
I found out The Drogheria by chance several years ago, a winter evening when I was trying to tease something late in the evening. Walking on the sidewalk, I came across an empty wooden barrel used as a table outside what appeared to be a club, where a group of boys were drinking wine from crystal goblets.
I got curious and went inside. I was immediately greeted by a pleasant warmth and aquiet atmosphere (it was a midweek day so not particularly busy).
A very kind boy greets me from the counter with a smile, and then I discover to be the owner, Massimo, immediately asking how he could be useful to us. Taking a quick look around the first thing strikes me dessert menu handwritten on a huge blackboard and I decide that this place was just what I needed. In fact I was not wrong!
Dessert and wine
We take a seat on a nice wooden table and, on Massimo's advice, we decide to try the pistachio chocolate cake, combined with a Aleatico Passito. The dessert was superb and the recommended pairing absolutely perfect. This allowed us to end our evening wonderfully, and made me want to try other good things that I saw other guests serve.
After this first fortuitous meeting, in fact, I went back to the Drogheria many more times, also to have dinner, and on every occasion I can guarantee that it was a pleasant experience and a delight for my palate!
A multi-function room
In fact, La Drogheria is not just a wine bar. La Drogheria is a place where you can tease and drink something for a appetizer in pleasant company. It is also a lovely place to go cenare in peace with dishes of the day that are always different, original and very fresh. Or you can appreciate it as a cheerful hangout for a after dinner among friends.
Always a novelty
The beauty of the Drogheria is that it always knows how to amaze you with a new wine, a new rum, and with many different dishes every time. I have almost never managed to find the same dishes on the menu: from meat to fish, couscous, patties with 'nduja, lasagna of all kinds. There is always a tasty proposal that wasn't there last time and clearly you can't help but try!
The atmosphere of the restaurant is of a slightly retro rustic style, very welcoming. Stone walls, wrought iron details, wooden tables, in short, there are all the elements of a simple but refined style at the same time. On the beautiful stone walls stand out large blackboards where the dishes proposed by the chef are handwritten, and the desserts of the day, so dear to me!
The owner, Massimo, is a young man full of energy and original ideas but above all a real gourmet and connoisseur. He will always be able to advise you on the best wines to pair with your appetizer, or on excellent agricultural rums for a "warmer" after dinner.
Ostia grocery: a successful place
I think the success of the Drogheria is due precisely to competence of its owner and his boundless passion for the quality of the products he serves in his restaurant. In fact, the menu is not very extensive but assorted with typical products often prized and all of great quality.
La wine list it is quite large and well assorted, there are excellent ones beers and an excellent selection of distillates. Nothing is left to chance, especially the choice of food and alcohol.
In fact, one thing I love very much is discovering a different wine every time, thanks to the precious advice of Massimo who offers excellent combinations with the chosen dishes. La Drogheria therefore lends itself to different situations.
If you like it dine in a quiet and romantic place come for dinner during the week, but also at the weekend around 19.30 / 20.00. If you want have a drink with a friend (or a friend) for a chat come after dinner, always during the week. If you want instead spend time with your friends come at the weekend, when the place comes alive - especially after 22.30 pm - and the music goes up.
Whatever your choice, I can guarantee you that you will always be greeted by the smiling Massimo and his staff. You will spend a pleasant moment in the company of excellent food and excellent wine (or beer, grappa, rum).
Kitchen open late
The kitchen also closes late at night and this is a further plus because you will never have to drink on an empty stomach. If I have to find a fault, I would say that the area is not the best for parking. But if you go away a few hundred meters towards the port (not towards the center) you will surely find a place for your car more easily, at least I have always found it.
I have been a customer of the Drogheria for years, I have appreciated it in all seasons and at all times: whether you are looking for tranquility or liveliness. Whether you want to eat or drink, this warm place will welcome you with joy and will satisfy your every need. Even those of the most demanding palates, seeing is believing!
