Sunday, March 21, 2010

Open Baladin...the best burgers in Rome?

That is up for debate. I have heard several friends rave about the burgers, while one thought they were just okay.

I thought my burger (medium) was excellent. But I'm not an expert on burgers.



However, I am a potato chip aficionado. The home made chips are the bomb.


There are over 100 artisan beers on the menu. They sell soda but no wine or cocktails. The crowd gets younger later in the evening. I met two friends for dinner and the crowd was mostly locals coming in after work. As we were leaving a huge table of university students showed up and the music was getting louder.



This is the former Crudo space. It's located near Campo dei Fiori on a quiet side street.



Open Baladin
Via degli Speechi, 6

14 comments:

Katie Parla said...

Open Baladin...worst burgers in Rome. Ok, maybe not, but they are the most over-hyped. I still have yet to find a great burger in Rome, tho Babbington's makes a pretty good one.

Jen said...

What are all those bottles? Beer? The shape is so different.

The best burger I've had here lately, other than my own kitchen, is a brewpub in town. Local, grassfed beef and it rocks!

I'm back from enforced read/write absence. Good to "see" you!

Our Italia trip was fabulous and I'll be posting about it soon.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

katie - Babbington's? I have to check it out. I've never been there.

Yes Baladin's burgers are hyped but they are definitely not the worst. My burger was delicious. I still haven't tried The Perfect Bun's burger but I remember several of my friends from NYC liked them. Baladin prices are more reasonable.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

jen! - welcome back. Look forward to reading about your trip. I hope you had a great time. Yes, those are beer bottles.

Stellino said...

I should ask my wife where they used to go for burgers when she lived in Rome. I'm sure she could name a few spots, as well.

If you're ever back in LA for any reason, we'd be thrilled to take you to dinner at Umami Burger in Miracle Mile, right near my pad.

Also, dare I ask, what's the atmosphere in the city like after both Milanese clubs drew and Roma pulled itself out of its "winless but undefeated" streak?

Cherrye at My Bella Vita said...

"However, I am a potato chip aficionado."

Hilarious.

BTW, P walked by when I was reading your post and is all about trying that burger next time we are in Rome. he he

gina marie said...

i dont know if this is going to sound completely igrnorant. i sure hope not but ... Ive been here a year and have avoided anything american. But recently i went to the hard rock cafe on a date and i had a Burger for the first time in over a year.

okay ... side note you should never order something so sloppy on a date . its not attractive with avocado is falling off your lips, and your breath is left smelling like onions.

anyway ... it was delicious!! does hard rock count or is it out because it's "american"

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

stellino - by me it's been quiet. Too quiet. Ha.

Thanks while it's darn near impossible to find a good bagel in L.A. that city does know its burgers.

cherrye - I never ate chips that often back home but in Italy I am addicted to the patatine.

gina - good question. I've never been there and haven't been to a Hard Rock since the first one opened in NYC years ago. None of my expat or Italian friends talk about it. I don't think it's because it's American but more that it's touristy? I forgot there was a Hard Rock Cafe here.

A burger with avocado sounds yummy. Thanks for the date advice. If I should be so lucky to go on one in the next decade I will remember not to get a burger. :)

regina di roma said...

I think the hard rock burgers are good, for Rome standards.

Nicole said...

Those chips looks sooo delicious! My mouth is watering! :)

Tracie P. said...

what we would consider mediocre burgers here usually translate as great in italy, i noticed. i personally was happy to find 'decent' ones, once in while.

and those chips must make it all better!

even in a country of such incredible culinary delight, it's nice to have just a bit of home, ogni tanto.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

regina - thanks. My burger at Open Baladin was great so I think I found my spot.

nicole - there were delicious. My friends and I could not stop eating them.

tracie p. - anything I crave from home, I make. I don't expect Italy to have amazing American style hamburgers, just like I gave up on trying to find a NYC bagel in L.A. Different places have different strengths. That said, I'd rather go without then eating something mediocre. Too frustrating.

Michael @ Culture DIscovery Vacations said...

Oh that looks good! As an almost expat (I spend 6 months a year there), I start to jones for burgers after a couple months every year. What day are they closed? I remember when you simply could not get a burger in Rome. I can't wait to try it when I get back for the season :-)

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Michael - I don't know what day they are closed but here is the website:

http://www.openbaladin.com/