The first time I had Cacio e Pepe (literally “cheese and pepper”), was after a very long day at work. A co-worker suggested Lupa, his favorite trattoria which was just a few block away. We took a seat under the warm glow of globe lights hanging over the dark wooden counter and my companion suggested the Bavette Cacio e Pepe. I was starving and felt like something more substantial I but acquiesced in the end. The pasta that came out didn't look like much but under the black pepper flecked pale yellow facade was a pasta unlike anything I'd ever...