Elegance Cafè Jazz Club in Rome, Italy

Posted by Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 2/28/2018

Elegance Cafè Jazz Club in Rome, Italy

There are three paramount things that will lead you to Elegance Cafè Jazz Club. Jazz, mixology and gastronomy. It’s a kind of union under one roof that we hardly meet, especially Rome. After three years in Via Veneto, Elegance Cafè left its Dolce Vita and found a new home in the Ostiense district of the capital which is just a stone throw’s away from the Pyramid of Cestius and the Ostiense Station. At its new home, Elegance Cafè dwells in a much bigger space where it aims to become a state-of-the-art venue for those who love listening to good live music, eating well-prepared dishes by a talented chef, and having a selection of original cocktail drinks by a master barman. Simply said, all three components are going to bear the same importance in the jazz bar.

With the new format of Elegance Cafè, the kitchen is directed by a young and talented chef. Gabriele Cordaro already had an extensive experience in the Michelin-starred kitchens of Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana, Giulio Terrinoni formerly of Acquolina Hostaria, Cristina Bowerman of Glass, and a brief experience at the kitchen of Pergola with Heinz Beck before running his own kitchen at Elegance Cafè. Gabriele’s cooking philosophy is to work on seasonal and simple raw ingredients to make innovative dishes highly influenced by the Mediterranean diet with nuances of international kitchens.

On the other hand, the Mixology Bar is directed by Anton Khella, a master barman who concocts original cocktails with unmistakable personalities. Given his passion for mixology, he has participated in many master classes and courses specializing in futuristic mixing techniques. A wide range of spirits, homemade syrups, fresh juices, refined spices constitute the realm of Anton. The drinks are not limited to the cocktails because there is also an interesting wine list that co-proprietor and sommelier Remo Proietto has put together for the wine drinkers.

Music. The evenings of Elegance Cafè start with dinner, starting at 8pm, and continue with live music shows until late at night. The musical program is curated by co-proprietor Daria Venuto who enlists the best artists of the national and international scene, proposing a selection of jazz in all its forms: traditional and contemporary, swing, smooth jazz, Latin jazz. The week will have fixed dates with new discoveries of Roman jazz, jam sessions open to the public, jazz contaminated by soul and funk and big bands on Sunday evening.

Placing his kitchen under the umbrella of Mediterranean cuisine with international influences, the gastronomic proposals of the chef are highly appealing to everyone’s palates where emphasis is placed on the quality. Originality based on tradition, that’s what you will see in the menu, which changes every couple of months.

The menu carries very interesting appetizer entries like Carciofi alla Romana con Stracciatella e Chorizo (Roman Artichokes with Stracciatella Cheese and Chorizo) at €12, Tartare di Pesce Bianco, Ananas, Erba Cedrina e Daikon Marinato (White Fish Tartare, Pineapple, Lemon Verbena and Marinated Daikon) at €15, or Caprino con Radici Croccanti e Crema di Porcini (Caprino Cheese, Crispy Roots and Porcini Mushroom Cream) at €12.

The choices for pasta are equally stimulating like the delicious Gnocchi, Gamberi e Zucchine (Gnocchi with Shrimp, Zucchini and Crispy Breadcrumbs with Tomatoes) at €15, or Cappellacci di Coniglio alla Cacciatora, Spuma di Parmigiano, Frisella al caffè e Polvere di Olive (Cappellacci Pasta with Rabbit alla Cacciatora, Parmigiano Foam, Coffee Frisella and Olive Powder) at €16.

For the main course, there are choices between meat and seafood. Guancia di Manzo, Zucca Mantovana e Crema di Mandorle (Beef Cheek, Pumpkin of Mantova and Almond Cream) at €22, Carrè di Agnello Marinato all’Orientale, Cavolo Nero e Mostarda al Mandarino (Lamb Marinated with Mint, Ginger and Soy, Tuscan Kale and Mostarda of Mandarin) at €24, or the Polpo Arrostito, Purè Affumicato, Porro e Salsa Ponzu (Roasted Octopus, Smoked Mashed Potatoes, Leek and Ponzu Sauce) at €22.

The desserts are patterned to the traditional Italian flavors that are enhanced by creative reconstruction of the dishes. Sapori di Tiramisu (Flavors of Tiramisù) at €8, Cioccolato 4.0 (Chocolate 4.0) at €8, or the Semifreddo allo Yogurt, Salsa Frutti Rossi e Cioccolato (Yogurt Semifreddo, Red Fruit Sauce and Chocolate) at €8.