Our history
Alfredo of Rome
100 years of excellence
Alfredo Di Lelio, just a boy, had a great desire to work and a strong passion for cooking that led him to success and worldwide fame, starting in 1908 with a small family restaurant in Piazza Rosa in Rome (Piazza disappeared in 1910 following the construction of the Galleria Colonna/Sordi).
1908:
The birth of Fettuccine
in Piazza Rosa (currently Galleria Colonna)
ALFREDO I
Everything began in a small restaurant when his wife Ines, in 1908, gave birth to their firstborn.
The woman was very prostrate after the birth of Armando (Alfredo II) and her husband, concerned for her health, did everything to make her regain strength with healthy and nutrients foods.
In such situation, the idea of the dish was born in such and then became famous all around the world. With his own hands, he prepared noodles mixed with butter and fresh Parmesan. Then he prayed St. Anna (protector of pregnant women) and served the dish to Ines saying: “If you don’t like such dish, I will eat it.”
She ate with great pleasure and also suggested to add the dish to the menu of their small restaurant.
The contemporaneous birth of both Alfredo II and the “blondes”, that he lovely used to call fettuccine, are the strength of his worldwide reputation.
His tireless work together with his great enthusiasm, favoured the attraction of customers from all over the world.
Alfredo Di Lelio opened his restaurant “Alfredo” in Rome in Via della Scrofa in 1914.
The gold tableware
Made to Alfredo Di Lelio by Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford in 1927
A further relevant moment for his success and satisfaction was represented by the meeting with Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, the two famous American actors of the silent movie, that after tasting his delicious and original dishes during their honeymoon in Rome, in his restaurant in Via della Scrofa, made him the gift of two gold tableware in 1927 as a tribute to his friendly and warm welcome.
These are a fork and a spoon of solid gold engraved with the written words: “To Alfredo the King of the noodles”, read by every famous person who had the honour to taste the Maestosissime Fettuccine.
ALFREDO II
The world war and years passing, favoured to change the life of Alfredo.
Alfredo I decided to retire himself from the scene in 1943, leaving the worthy heir to his successor, Armando, with the name of Alfredo II, in the restaurant in Via della Scrofa.
With experience gained over time alongside his father and his undoubted charismatic personality, he has always welcome guests with a beautiful smile that opened beneath his mustache “Umberto”, the same who later become the symbol of “Alfredo”.
Over time, his character will obtain the merit to be known not just as the King, but as the Emperor of Fettuccine.
ALFREDO III
The Restaurant in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 30
Armando Di Lelio (Alfredo II) left the restaurant in Via della Scrofa in 1946, and sold it to two of the waiters (Urbano e Ubaldo).
In 1950, Alfredo Di Lelio (Alfredo I) decided to hand the reins and opening with his son Armando a new restaurant in Rome, “Il Vero Alfredo” in Piazza Augusto Imperatore 30, where currently continues the family tradition managed by his son Armando until 1982 and now by his son Alfredo (Alfredo III) with his sister Ines Di Lelio.
From father to son, from son to grandson, in that way Alfredo became a true dynasty.
Alfredo III, in fact, inheriting the inspiration of his grandfather and father, has the merit to have continued worthily the path traced by his predecessors, taking the name of this historic restaurant in the world.
INES DI LELIO
