Ristorante Da Constantino
Total Rating: 7/10
Perched above the city this spot has great views and is known for both its pizza and fair prices. While living here last summer I was a regular at this restaurant. The pizza is some of the best and holds up well for takeout. While dining in I always suggest starting with a pitcher of their house wine to set the vibe.
Starters
They are most famous for two of their pasta starters. The first is their Crespoline al formaggio ( savory cheese crepes), which are crispy on the outside and filled with creamy cheese on the inside. Although I don’t normally go for creamy options because they make my stomach hurt, this was so,so good. I enjoyed the crispy texture from being baked in the oven. The filling was creamy and well-seasoned. If I didn’t care about bloating I would get this again!
The second is their Manicaretto fatto in casa, which is a handmade manicaretto pasta ( similar to manicotti) stuffed with ricotta cheese mozzarella, and tomato sauce and baked until crispy. Both of these plates are quite small so they work as an appetizer. I think my expectations were a little high for this one because I wasn’t wowed. It’s pretty basic, just some pasta with tomato sauce and baked in the oven. It wasn’t bad but I wouldn’t order it again.
Pizza
I love sharing a pizza as a starter but it certainly deserves it’s own section while reviewing Constantino. This place is a renowned takeaway spot and you’ll see them pumping out pizza after pizza during dinner service. Their dough is thin, light, and flavorful from their pizza oven. The toppinga are all great and pair nicely together. Below are the funghi e prosciutto ( mushrooms and ham), and their Positano which has mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, arugula, and parmesan. If I were judging this place on the pizza alone it would probably be a solid 7.5!
Mains
I love their Scialatielli ai frutti di mare, which is a thicker homemade pasta sauteed with clams, mussels, squid, and other fresh seafood. The thick pasta soaks up all the rich sauce and is always perfectly seasoned.
Based on what I’ve shared so far you may be wondering why they have a lower review. The culprit here is their Antipasto di Mare. I got it once as a starter and it just missed the mark. The fish was tough, not seasoned very well, and just not what I had expected for €30. I’ve also had their steak before and while it wasn’t bad, I found paying €25 for a thin and slightly chewy piece of meat with no sides to be unfair. In general, with this place, I think if you stick to pizza and pasta you will be very happy. You’ll find yourself full of yummy food and your wallet happy at the end of the meal which is a win-win.
Detailed Ranking: 7/10
With that being said, I always question why restaurants place extra items on the menu that don’t match their specialties. I understand wanting to diversify your menu, but it should not be at the consequence of taste and quality. Do you have any thoughts on this? If so write in the comments!
- Restaurant Design/Location/Atmosphere (.8/1)
- Customer Service (.5/1)
- Menu variety/offerings (.7/1)
- Food rating (4.2/6)
- Freshness/Quality of ingredients (1.6/2)
- Overall taste (2/3)
- Presentation (.6/1)
- Price point- as compared to value (.8/1)
Total: 7/10