If you’ve spent any time in Rome you will probably have popped into one of its cool Coffee Pot restaurants and bars (and occasional dance venues) in Trastevere or Piazza Bologna.

Although the Coffee Pot signature design is recognisable across both venues, Coffee Pot Trastevere has a firmly after dark vibe which lends itself well to occasional DJ sets, while Coffee Pot Piazza Bologna has a dreamy, green feel with its hanging plants, mezzanine levels and shabby chic low-slung sofas.

Both restaurants focus on presenting crowd-pleasing Asian and Mexican fusion dishes which are extremely well executed, and at a fair price for the exceptional quality.

I recently visited Coffee Pot in Piazza Bologna to try a new, temporary menu put together by chef Viola Rossetti. Already a frequent presence at Coffee Pot as a consultant chef, Viola’s menu – available until July 31 – is a real triumph.

Ranging from edamame served with black truffle and Maldon salt, or orange zest and teriyaki sauce (pictured above, €4) to an amazing steamed cod with hummus, asparagus and sweet and sour carrots (€13), there are also yummy raspberry sushi rolls combining cream cheese, salmon and avocado (€12). Expect vegetarian variants too to suit your entire dining party.

We started with an amuse bouche from the chef – a sliver of sea bass tartare on crushed ice and mohito – a very cool way to start dinner!

Next, these fusion nachos, made from naturally coloured all-vegetable chips, were served with guacamole dip, sour cream and lime and honey mustard. Delicious!

These crispy, blue corn tacos with baccalà, lime and fresh tomato were another flavourful antipasto.

Next, it was the turn of these stunning rolls – sampling both raspberry rolls with cream cheese, salmon, avocado, caramelised apple and iced raspberries – and crispy rolls with Philadelphia, crab, avocado, seared salmon, crispy onions and teriyaki sauce. Both delicious!

These tender steamed dumplings were filled with baccalà and dressed with wafter thin radishes.

One of my personal favourites was this absolute crowd-pleaser of sea bass and langoustine ceviche with coconut and peanuts. I enjoyed every mouthful!

We then tried this light and beautifully textured baccala with puntarelle, carrots and hummus. Another sensational dish.

Viola’s cuisine is marked by incredibly fresh ingredients, cooked simply. This tuna tataki was small but fierce in flavours.

We couldn’t finish dinner without trying something from the tempting dessert menu, which included this passion fruit cheesecake, and two sweet tacos: with white chocolate, and fruits of the forest. Again, intense flavours and fabulous textures emerged in this winning dishes.

While Viola’s special menu will only be available until July 31st 2019, at Coffee Pot Piazza Bologna, Coffee Pot’s fusion game is strong, and I highly recommend it for a tasty supper in chic surroundings.

Coffee Pot | Via Michele di Lando, 20 | Rome | Tel 0039 345 222 8553

Testaccina was a guest of Coffee Pot