La Galleria di Sopra Ristorante in Albano Laziale (Rome), Italy

La Galleria di Sopra is about two brothers, both thrown into the world of enogastronomy. Andrea Carfagna, the sommelier, takes care of the wines and the dining area while Claudio, the chef unites his fresh and seasonal ingredients in the kitchen. The outcome? Something you have to drive 25 kilometers to from Rome. Albano Laziale is one of the towns of Castelli Romani, a popular destination for day trips outside Rome. Albano is flanked by the notable ones like Castel Gandolfo, Ariccia, Nemi and Rocca di Papa. 

The restaurant was opened in 2003 and is housed in a 17th-century barn of a former convent giving it a layout of a discrete entrance then opens up to the principal high-ceiling dining room in another level, accessed with a flight of stairs. Hues of earth and white, wood and stone. A large golden chandelier rivets the attention in the minimally designed room but with compelling objects. That's what La Galleria di Sopra is to the eyes.

For the perspective of the gourmands, the kitchen and the selection of wines of the brothers take you to the side where more complex characteristics amplify the dining experience. Claudio's style is pointed towards creativity in the combination of ingredients as well as the composition of the dishes. Locally sourced fish (from the Tyrrhenean Sea) and meat are his ingredients accompanied by some herbs and vegetables from their own garden. The structure of the dishes leans towards innovativeness and a bit less on the tradition.

Four kinds of tasting menus are available: Vegetarian (€35), The Tradition and the Roman Countryside (€42), The Sea (€54), and the Innovation (€60). The number of courses vary between 5 to 7 and always include Cocktails with Seasonal Fruits and Welcome Appetizers. (For updated prices and menus, please refer to their site.)

 

The Innovation Tasting Menu is a menu wherein the chef has the freehand to create dishes at the moment. However, some of the dishes in the tasting menus can be found in the a la carte menu and can be ordered singularly.While waiting, the meal started with Centrifuged  Carrots, Ginger and Orange Cocktail in a salt-rimmed martini glass, then followed by a series of amuse bouche.

Innovation Tasting Menu: Tartare of Red Shrimp with Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gelato (€17), Roasted Scallops with Crispy Artichokes on a Bed of Jerusalem Artichoke Sauce (€16), Spaghettoni Mancini alla Gricia with Oysters (€17), Tortelli of Mantis Shrimp in Fish Soup (€16), Atlantic Bonito Saltimbocca with White Charlock and Fermented Savoy Cabbage, Pigeon with Tuscan Kale and Broccoli Raab, Fennel Gelato with Blueberry Sauce and Curcuma Biscuit, Dark Chocolate and Tuscan Kale with Licorice Meringue and Vanilla Sponge.

La Galleria di Sopra

Via Leonardo Murialdo, 9
00041 Albano Laziale (RM), Italy
Tel: +39 06 9322791 / +39 333 6083076
Email: info@lagalleriadisopra.it
Website: http://lagalleriadisopra.it/

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Open:
Tuesdays to Saturdays 20:00 to 23:00
Sundays: 12:30 to 14:30
Mondays closed