Montesacro is the name of a neighborhood of Rome, a hardscrabble working-class quarter, like many others affected by the aftermath of the Second World War. Our goal is to pay homage to those days and to the people who lived throughout that tumultuous time. We take inspiration from the classic “fraschette” of the Lazio region and offer “pinsa”, a modern take on the ancient flatbread once prepared by peasants living outside the imperial walls of the Roman Empire.
Over time the fraschetta concept evolved to include some typical foods of the Lazio region – offering cured meats, local cheeses and small stuzzichini like olives, pickles, and sott’oli {olive oil cured vegetables}. Among all the local specialties, a particularly widespread was represented by roasted pork also known as porchetta.
The word ‘pizza’ most likely derives from ‘pinsa’
Pinsa in its ancient Roman origin was first described by Virgil in the Aeneid as being made with spelt and used as a “plate” to serve meat cooked in a hearty sauce – frugally topped with vegetables, meat bits or fruit. The Romans used mainly farro (spelt) which was then known as “far”. It is reasonable to believe that it gave the name to our modern word “farina” (flour).
- 📞503-208-2992
- 1230 NW Hoyt Street
- Open Tuesday-Sunday
Closed on Monday
Lunch: 11:30-2:30
Happy Hour: 4-6pm
Dinner: 5-10pm