At the same location as our resident Talking Statue Babuino is a hidden gem. The “Ristorante Atelier Canova Tadolini” is a combination art museum and restaurant.

Stepping inside and sidling to the left, you’ll find a bar for a coffee or a drink.  We’ve stopped by for a coffee in the bar a handful of times. But one day, craving something light, we stepped in and turned to the right for lunch.  This was also our opportunity to explore the place properly.  We were not disappointed.

Antonio Canova was a famous Neoclassical sculptor who spent much of his life in Rome, and this place was once his workshop, which he shared with a favorite pupil, Adamo Tadolini.  My favorite work by Canova isn’t here, but instead in Galleria Borghese — his sculpture of Napoleon’s sister Pauline, in the nude, which caused quite a stir in its time!

First used by Canova and Tadolini in 1818, this location was later used by members of the Tadolini family, who worked until 1967 (not a typo).  Today, this place is literally packed to the rafters with copies of the many works of art by both Canova and Tadolini.

Everywhere you look, there is sculpture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would have liked to read a catalog about the artwork, but alas, there was not one.  “It’s being worked on,” the waiter said.  Oh well.  Note to the proprietors: get an art history intern from one of the many universities in Rome — it would be an excellent project!

The interior is quite charming, almost romantic.

We were seated in a main room with a few other diners.  There are several rooms, some large, some niche-like throughout the multi-level structure. We were watched over by the gigantic pope — I later figured out this was Leo XIII (by Giulio Tadolini) — from his tomb at Saint John Lateran (also pictured at the top of this post). Joining him were busts of several ancient Romans.

Not only was the space charming, we also enjoyed the light fare.  I had the “Paradiso” salad (rocket, mozzarella, avocado, and mango), and Laura had the “Tadolini” salad (chicken Caesar salad with tomatoes), followed by a light and delicious lemon pasta.

 

 

Two little complimentary tartlets arrived with our coffee.

All in all, it was a lovely lunch in a unique place.  As I like to say, “only in Rome ….”