Gemelli Cacio e Pepe Price

Gemelli's Cacio e Pepe is a classic Roman pasta dish featuring spaghetti alla chitarra, grated pecorino, Parmesan, butter, and cracked black pepper. To create this dish, the square-shaped spaghetti is cooked until al dente. A creamy sauce is formed by emulsifying the finely grated cheeses with hot, starchy pasta water and butter. The cooked pasta is then added directly to the sauce and tossed vigorously, coating every strand in the glossy, savory mixture. A generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper finishes the dish, providing a pungent counterpoint to the rich cheese. The price is between $14.00 and $16.00.

Customers describe the Cacio e Pepe as delicious, noting the huge serving size and calling it a favorite dish. Gemelli's rendition of this Roman classic can be compared to the pasta dishes at Cucina 24, another Asheville restaurant known for its refined Italian cooking. Cucina 24's menu changes seasonally and might offer a more complex pasta, while Gemelli's Cacio e Pepe stands out for its straightforward, traditional execution. For a complete meal, the dish pairs well with a side of Broccolini with breadcrumbs and fresh lemon or the Smashed Potatoes with aioli.

Cacio e Pepe, which translates to "cheese and pepper," has humble origins and is believed to have been a staple for Roman shepherds. The ingredients were easy to transport and non-perishable, making it a practical and nourishing meal. The dish is available at Gemelli, an all-day casual Italian restaurant in West Asheville. Founded by chef Anthony Cerrato with his son Gabe Cerrato as Executive Chef de Cuisine, Gemelli is a family-run establishment focused on authentic Italian food and scratch-made pastas. Offering Cacio e Pepe fits perfectly with the restaurant's mission to serve classic Italian dishes in a stylish, inviting setting.