When Daniele Di Lecce and Alessandra Serramondi opened Dogma in 2022, their combined age was just 55. Both chef and sommelier, they’re also ambitious young entrepreneurs who quickly made a life-changing decision to follow a dream they'd nurtured since before the pandemic: opening their own restaurant. They had already gained significant experience: she at Lele Usai's Il Tino, where he also worked, following stints with Nino Di Costanzo at Il Mosaico, Anthony Genovese at Il Pagliaccio, and an internship with Yannick Alléno. Feeling the time was right, they decided to launch, receiving Usai’s blessing and encouragement. Over the past two years, they’ve fine-tuned their approach, paying careful attention to detail and keeping quality and affordability at the core of their mission.
Seafood and charcoal at Dogma
While achieving such a balance is often challenging, Dogma makes it look effortless. The wine cellar expands gradually with new additions, and the kitchen adheres to a clear concept: seafood and charcoal, executed with technical skill and creative restraint. They focus on high-quality ingredients, often from humble fish selections, thoughtfully supplemented with occasional premium choices. Many ingredients come from their family garden, including vegetables and even some flours, contributing to the dishes’ intelligence, harmony, flavour, and heart. Fire, smoke, and charcoal add depth as subtle accents, challenging the perception of grilled fish as overly rustic.
The smoky touch appears in diverse elements: from smoked butter paired with chestnut taglioni and scampi to flame-seared buttons filled with fish mortadella and béchamel. Charcoal enhances the grilled mullet and octopus, while it even features in desserts, such as the smoked panna cotta with honey and seasonal fruits, and a charred tarte tatin with smoked fiordilatte ice cream. Alessandra’s skill in creating a relaxed atmosphere and offering perfect pairings completes the experience. At an average of €50 per person, Dogma provides a superb value, with a five-course tasting menu priced at €48 and à la carte averaging €55. No wonder Dogma has been recognised as Lazio's Best Value-for-Money Restaurant by the Ristoranti d’Italia 2025 guide.
Dogma - Roma - piazza Zama, 34 - 06 86679819 - www.ristorantedogma.com
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