A Roman wine bar to avoid

Enoteca Ferrazza
via dei Volsci, 59 (San Lorenzo)
00185 Roma
tel. 06490506

Well, unfortunately, it seems that most of the winebars in Rome are to be avoided. I have discovered that there are prevalently 2 types of wine bars in this town. One is a serious establishment, run by sommeliers who can speak passionately about their selections and offer excellent pairing advice. The other is the trendy type, where people go to see and be seen, the staff is rude, and the wine list is not worthy enough to be used as birdcage lining.

Once place that falls into the latter category is Ferrazza in via dei Volsci in San Lorenzo. The place has a nice appearance, with brick walls and wine stowed on stylish shelves which line the space. The problem is, they are not serious. First problem, they did not have the first 4 wines I asked for on the menu. The waitress suggested that try something similar, and proceeds to bring us over a bitter and bland Muller Thurgau which cost way more than it was worth. Plus, they tack on an obligatory 3.50 euros per person for their aperitivo buffet, which consists of canned beans with olive oil and vinegar, burnt bread, these delicious-seeming-in-appearance hors d'oeuvres which taste like fried wet bread when you bite into them, day-old cous-cous, and tuna-product. It was revolting. We decide to get another bottle, so I grab the list thinking that I must be able to find some decent economical Frascati for under 15 euros. Not possible, my first 2 choices were of course unavailable, so we were brought an atrocious wine-water concoction with had no smell and no taste, and marked up from 4 euros (I saw it in the supermarket next door) to 14 euros! The service is quick and cold, and the owner sits around the bar staring his flirting with his 5-strong fleet of waitresses. Another place to add to the long list of boycotted establishments in Rome.