I have a feeling that the Senate and the Roman people would have agreed with what I’m about to ramble on about.

While it’s true that I love anything that reminds me of Russell Crowe self-immolating, SPQR (or Senatus Populusque Romanus, if you prefer) is actually a great restaurant besides the name (SPQR is the insignia of the Roman Empire – remember in Gladiator when he carved it out of his arm?).

It’s small and lively (like Russell Crowe), and they don’t take reservations. When I went there last week, the wait was about 45 minutes for a table, but they sat me right away at the bar, and very kindly put away the enormous hanger of dry cleaning I was lugging around. By the time my friend arrived, I was already sharing appetizers with the person next to me and chatting to the bartender, who was recommending wines and entrees. When my friend arrived, I barely noticed (ha… just kidding, Peter!).

Shortly after he arrived, my friend got an open seat right next to me, and we had a great dinner. Everyone in the restaurant was so nice. Emily was our main server and was very knowledgeable and helpful with the awesomely unfamiliar Italian wine list.

I went again last night with another friend, and we sat right at the bar in front of the kitchen (very impressive chef-action!). When my friend arrived, as usual I was already sitting there with a glass of wine. She stood for a few minutes right in the way of all the staff rushing around. Nobody minded in the least. Actually, when I mentioned that we should get out of the way, they acted like it was the craziest idea they’d ever heard, and shortly afterwards, just as I was thinking it but hadn’t yet asked, the hostess delivered an extra stool for my friend.

On top of that, as Darren tactfully referenced at Cha Cha Cha, we all had a big laugh when I asked for the 50 lbs of dry cleaning I’d accidentally left behind the week before. How could this not be my new favorite restaurant? (Oh, also, side note: the food is amazing – I recommend the pepper pasta dish and the asparagus appetizer).

Brought to you by timinganddelivery.com contributor, Bibi Green (and the Senate and the People of Rome)