Revisiting the orignal Alfredo

MILLIE: My parents introduced me to the best restaurants in the world. Wherever we’d go, the itinerary was always planned around the well-renowned dining places. For some reason, Karla and I have continued this tradition and really save up for that one grand meal when we travel. Some restaurants have come and gone but one that has amazingly long staying power is forever etched in my memory banks as a great family favorite.

In 1969, my Mom took me on a tour of Europe before going to school in Lausanne, Switzerland. We took a side trip to Rome, where my Dad met us. Dad’s favorite restaurant in Rome is the original Alfredo. I distinctly recall how he guided us, walking through the streets of Rome from our hotel on the Via Veneto against my Mom’s wishes. Mom, of course, wanted to take a cab but Dad insisted on walking.

What I remember most about Alfredo was that the restaurant wasn’t anything fancy or too formal. There were lots of pictures of famous international celebrities on the wall and I was thrilled to see Imelda Marcos’ picture on the wall. They also had piles of huge, hardbound books with the signatures of just about everyone who had dined at their restaurant. Mom and Dad made me look for their signatures when they first came in 1951 on their honeymoon. Imagine that! I found it, and signed in, too. There was a roving trio and to my great amusement, they guessed that we were Filipinos and started to play Dahil Sa Iyo. I was impressed.

Pasta Alfredo consists of three basic ingredients: mixed egg noodles, butter and Parmigiano cheese.

I recall that my Dad ordered his favorite osso buco but before that, we all had the famous Pasta Alfredo as a starter. I learned that the Italians always take their pasta as a first course. The pasta was fresh, handmade, al dente. It was simply made with butter, cream and sprinkled with Parmesan, nothing else. To my great surprise, Signor Alfredo mixed my pasta by our table and offered me the golden fork and spoon to eat it with! I was told that only celebrities had that privilege. I wanted to take the golden utensils home as a souvenir!

By the way, I must confess that, unlike other people who bring home ashtrays or teaspoons as souvenir items, I do bring home menus of famous restaurants for my collection. But I always ask first if I can bring it home and if I’m turned down, I offer to pay for it. If I’m still denied, well, I’ve mastered the art of taking it home anyway, which my two sisters and I cheekily call “scoobidoo”!

In 1973, I was back in Rome with my sister Marijo and, naturally, on top of our list of Must Go To other than the famous landmarks of Rome was Alfredo. If I’m not mistaken, we went twice. I can still vividly recall how Marijo was shaking as she ate her pasta with so much gusto!

In 1984, it was my sister Dorcie’s turn to travel to Europe and I accompanied her. She had just graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in LA and we flew out from New York. Dorcie and I also dined at Alfredo and, once again, it was a memorable dining experience and the pasta was consistent and perfect.

KARLA: I grew up hearing these awesome food stories from my mom and lolo. In 1996, on a trip to the US, mom and I discovered that there was an Alfredo at the Epcot Center in Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Finally, in 1999, it was my turn. We were in Rome for four nights and ended up eating there for three nights. Mom spoke to the Alfredo, the owner, who was already a third-generation restaurateur like herself. They’re all named Alfredo to carry on the legacy. She mentioned how lolo and lola went there on their honeymoon and were given the golden spoon and fork, which have been used by presidents and stars. Mom also talked about all the other trips where they visited Alfredo. Alfredo III was very intrigued and gave us both the set of golden utensils to eat with as well.

Pasta Alfredo consists of three basic ingredients: mixed egg noodles, butter and Parmigiano cheese. The cheese comes last — they grate it right on your plate as it is being served to you and it instantly melts on top of the pasta. Their pasta is homemade and I remember Alfredo giving me a handful of uncooked pasta, which we kept and brought home in a Ziploc bag. It’s dried up by now and definitely not edible anymore, but I kept it.

Dining in Rome at the original restaurant definitely has its perks and gives a totally different vibe from Epcot. And because of that, we were in Rome for four days and ended up eating there thrice! Twice for dinner and on the last day, for lunch before we boarded our train back to Geneva.

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The original Alfredo is located at Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 30 Rome, Italy. Call 0113906 687 8734 for reservations. I also recently learned that the Epcot branch has been closed since 2007. There is, however a New York branch at the Rockefeller Center just around the corner from the NBC Studios. You can call 1-800-475-3463 and ask for Steve Sabato.

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Send e-mail to milliereyes.foodforthought@gmail.com and karla@swizzlemobilebar.com. Find us on Facebook and read articles you might have missed: Food for Thought by Millie & Karla Reyes.