The Bun That Goes By Many Names
Sunday, 22nd August 2010 | 8 Comments
In Rome’s Largo del Teatro Valle stands a somewhat imposting storefront emblazoned with a sign for CO2 Brasserie, a thankfully defunct restaurant that closed a few years back. The Perfect Bun opened in its place, but the sign for CO2 is still there, a strange reminder of the space’s earlier incarnation. I visited The Perfect Bun for a bite in June. I knew they had burgers but I had never heard anything about them, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
We were seated by the kitchen and saw the Sam’s Club sized french fry bags being dumped into the frier and, well, I think that’s all I really need to say on the quality of the food. The Perfect Bun does not offer the perfect anything, not Caesar salad, burgers, fries, or even bun, for that matter. But they do have two things going for them. First, the service was exceedingly polite and kind, a huge change from the old CO2 days. Second, their legal name, Lady Taco, Srl. It is hilarious, confusing, strange and completely vulgar, but I love it. It’s worth a stop at the bar just to get the receipt so that months later you might find it again by chance, as I did, and have a good laugh.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:06 am
My inner Californian can only say, “OH MY GOD!” when I look at that receipt.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:20 am
hilarious is right! And my inner Californian agrees…however, on the subject of burgers, my children (who were thankfully not raised on Mac and have kept the faith) enjoy the occasional Hell’s Grill, T-Bone, and Hard Rock burgers (in no particular order of…) Nothing bio, prices are questionable, but when/if the urge arises and you’re thousands of miles from the best….
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Okay. I admit it. I don’t get it.
Why is the name Lady Taco vulgar? Is it some kind of Roman slang?
I do like going there for happy hours (tues/thursday nights). Great bartenders.
The owner owns a production company and every time I go see some Italian actor/actress.
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Ha! We didn’t notice “Taco Lady” when we were there. Oddly enough, the burrito I had there was easily the *worst* meal of our group – and not because the others were very good.
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
p.s forgot to add, I agree the prices for food are outrageous!
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 pm
@nyc/caribbean ragazza for a definition of lady taco, see this page of the Urban Dictionary. It is nice to know that not everyone’s mind is constantly in the gutter like mine is.
August 23rd, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Good to see you were on the Menabrea, perhaps the best bet in many bars and perhaps the bet value for money, too. Trust me to be singling out the beer…
December 2nd, 2010 at 1:37 pm
We have had a couple of great American style meals there. Both times I split the Fajitas with a friend. Good tortillas, and everything as it should be- tasty and plenty of food. My husband said his burger was one of the best he had ever had outside the home. That is saying a lot. And the bun was perfect. We like this place- it is cozy upstairs, the service is good, the people are friendly and we found the food to be a refreshing taste of home, with seemingly good quality ingredients- for instance the beef was delicious and the burger cooked to perfection. And the price is reasonable! They also have good cocktails and a lively atmosphere for hanging out in the bar.