Pasticceria Walter MuscoRome

We went there on March 4th, partly out of curiosity and partly because Walter Musco's maritozzo keeps popping up on every "best of Rome" list out there. Mission: to verify.

The place looks good, no question about it. Thoughtful aesthetics, elegant presentation, everything designed to make an impression. And it works.

So, let's start with the pain au chocolat because that's what disappointed me the most. It was good, sure, but let's be honest—it was a chocolate pastry pouch. No crunch to it, you couldn't taste the butter, and the chocolate inside was more like a smooth cream instead of the two classic bars. Fine, fair enough, but let's not call it a pain au chocolat.

The maritozzo, on the other hand... it's small, smaller than you'd expect for the price. But the whipped cream is beautifully fluffy, fresh, very sweet—maybe a touch too sweet, but I enjoyed it. The pastry is soft, airy, baked perfectly. Really good. The best in Rome? No, come on. It definitely ranks among the best, but the throne is still up for grabs.

Oh, we also had a mini bignè di San Giuseppe and some specialty coffees. The prices are a bit steep, I won't lie, but all things considered, they're fair for what you get.

The two of us walked out having spent €16.50. Will I go back? Yes, but for the maritozzo.