Exactly. That's what these type discussions can lead to. Your experience in Rome reminds me of three other great experiences that have come about due to talking to the waiter about selections.

1) This was actually in Rome as well. We were at place off the tourist path and they had a special that sounded really good. They also had carbonara which is probably my favorite pasta dish if done right. I asked the waiter which he would recommend and explained my reasoning. Obvious answer, we'll give you half of each so you can try them both. And both were great.


2) I was at a highly recommended Indian restaurant in DC. I was asking the waiter for suggestions and he asked me how much experience I had with Indian food. I told him quite a bit, mostly in London but also several trips to India. He said they had a dish that night that was not on the menu and that based on the things I was interested in he thought I would like it. I told him to go for it and it was fantastic.

3) Cibreo in Florence. This place is different in that they don't have menus. The person working with your table, the night we were there it was the owners wife, comes out and sits down at your table and tells you the options for each course and discusses them with you. Then you choose, but in this case with a lot of input the waiter. One of the best meals I have ever had.