I will be in Rome for two nights in late August before heading off on a cruise and plan to take in some of the sites while there. Given that I only have two nights there, what are the restaurants that I should not miss while there?
was just there about 3 weeks ago, so hopefully this is more up to date:
1. maccheroni (piazza della coppelle, I believe) - there were celebrities (tv and movie actors) and the obama family was also there when I was there, and the food is really good and reasonably priced
2. 'gusto (piazza augusto imperiatore, I beleve) - there are 3-4 restaurants in this, all part of the same name - so pick the one you like
otherwise, there are tons of good restaurants - ask your concierge at your hotel
was just there about 3 weeks ago, so hopefully this is more up to date:
1. maccheroni (piazza della coppelle, I believe) - there were celebrities (tv and movie actors) and the obama family was also there when I was there, and the food is really good and reasonably priced
2. 'gusto (piazza augusto imperiatore, I beleve) - there are 3-4 restaurants in this, all part of the same name - so pick the one you like
otherwise, there are tons of good restaurants - ask your concierge at your hotel
Thank you!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SFflyer123
China's history is 5000 years old. I certainly would want something more up to date for China, also!
We clearly have a difference of opinion re: what constitutes restaurant quality: in a country that prizes food quality as much as Italy (or China) a restaurant surviving for more than a couple of years is a sign of excellence.
Just back from a nice 18 day trip to Europe. Tried to get to the Maccheroni restaurant listed above, but it was 7pm and they open for dinner at 8pm !!
Did make it to a restaurant called Mario - had an awesome beef dish - like a beef scallopini, others had spaghetti with clams ( it was a bit spicy - but delicious !! and when we said it was a bit spicy they came out with another one without asking that was not spicy ). My only regret is that I didn't order the roasted potatoes as they looked awesome as the waiter brought them to another table. They make their pasta fresh for each dish. Here is some info :
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Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
Mario #143
of 1,462 restaurants in Rome Read 7 reviews for this restaurantCuisines: Italian
Price range*: $20-$25
Mario located at: Via della Vite 55, Rome 00187, Italy[/b]
Phone: 06/6783818
and we had nice thin crust pizza at :
La Monte Carlo #105
of 1,462 restaurants in Rome Read 43 reviews for this restaurantCuisines: Italian, Pizza, Pizza & Pasta
Recommended For: Local cuisine
La Monte Carlo located at Vicolo Savelli, 13, Rome, Italy ( not too far from Piazza Navona )
Phone: 06 6861877
Website: http://www.lamontecarlo.it/
Hope this helps, Thanks !
Last edited by kyletrems; Aug 9, 09 at 7:34 pm.
Reason: spelling
7 Places to Eat: Hunting Down Rome's Cucina Romana
Like any major European capital, Rome has its share of three-star gourmet shrines and trendy bistros, but the essence of Roman cuisine is the sort of simple, robust peasant fare that doesn't necessarily register on the foodie radar. With Rome's multifaceted cultural and historical offerings, few people come here exclusively for the food. Many restaurants can coast on the tourist trade and turn a profit despite mediocre fare, rude service, and jacked-up prices, and so it can be tricky to find genuine cucina Romana -- though the real deal is soul-satisfying indeed.
7 Places to Eat: Hunting Down Rome's Cucina Romana
Like any major European capital, Rome has its share of three-star gourmet shrines and trendy bistros, but the essence of Roman cuisine is the sort of simple, robust peasant fare that doesn't necessarily register on the foodie radar. With Rome's multifaceted cultural and historical offerings, few people come here exclusively for the food. Many restaurants can coast on the tourist trade and turn a profit despite mediocre fare, rude service, and jacked-up prices, and so it can be tricky to find genuine cucina Romana -- though the real deal is soul-satisfying indeed.
This is great advice. The last place we want to eat is at those tourist trap places--mediocre food and high prices. What a disappointment. It's like me (living in San Francico) going to eat at Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39. We never eat in places like that, yet I'm sure there are many restaurants that thrive there for the unsuspecting tourist!. Thanks for this great link!
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Looking at the list of restaurants in the previous article I had to chuckle. These are all GOOD restaurants, but they are not small "Roman" kitchens. Most, including Al Moro, Il Convivio, Pizzeria Baffetto, Checchino dal 1887, and Sabatini have a huge influx of tourists... because they're in the Frommers guidebook! Il Convivio, Checchino dal 1887, and Sabatini ARE NOT cheap either... I've dropped some BIG bucks there over the years.
Al Moro is often overun by tourists - to avoid this, here and at other Roman restaurants, EAT LATE! La Montecarlo has FAR BETTER service than her father's restaurant (Pizzeria Baffetto) but his pizza, if you can stand the rude wait staff, is better. I know, I know... you ate there and service was great, but I've eaten there 20+ times and service at Baffeto's is inconsistent! The pizza, and being close to our apt, brings me back
For a solid, inexpensive, Roman dining experience, check with your B&B operator, your concierge, your apt. owner, etc. Most Romans, like all big city dwellers, eat in their neighborhood. So if you ask them about a spot across town, they'll just shrug and say, "I don't eat there, I eat here!"
I live near the Vatican... but we do try and eat around. We like Piachere Molise, Al 34, Armando al Pantheon, Colline Emiliane, Da Francesco, Da Gino (Vicolo Rosini, 4), Dal Toscano (Via Germanico, 58/60), Dar Poeta (for pizza), Ditirambo (Piazza della Cancelleria, 74), Enoteca Cul DeSac (Piazza di Pasquino, 73), Hostaria Dino & Tony (Via Leone IV, 60), La Carbonara (Via Panisperna, 214 - NOT THE ONE in Campo Fiori), La Cisterna (Via della Cisterna, 13), La Pancia Felice (Via di Porta Castello, 11/12), Maccheroni (Piazza delle Coppelle 44) Matricianella (Via del Leone, 2-4), Montevecchio (Piazza Montevecchio, 22A), Osteria dell’Angelo (Via Giovanni Bettolo, 24) Bella Napoli, Otello alla Concordia (Via della Croce, 81), Antica Taverna.
We probably have about 50 more places we eat at on occasion, but most often we walk to dinner (20-25 minutes) and then we walk home... We prefer the smaller, family-run, less frequented spots like Piachere Molise and Pancia Felice where you hear far less English....
