After reading the various dining threads, I'm of the impression that the natives and the "In" people don't even wander out until after nine. As an American who likes to feed his face between 7-7:30, will my wife and I encounter difficulties finding restaurants in the various piazza/venues ready and waiting to serve us? I don't care about being trendy but if necessary, can modify my dining practices/behavior. Thanks for your input.

You will find plenty of open places -- but unless you are in an area packed with tourists you may be eating alone.

Hmmm. I guess my next question to the FT forum is where do the tourists congregate for dinner? The Piazza Navona? The Campo de Fiori?? The Trastevere? I would imagine that the concierge would have a few suggestions. Thanks

At home I typically eat around 11:30 each morning and then dinner about 5:30. We just got back from our trip to Italy and after our 2nd day learned to change our eating habits to include breakfast, lunch at about 1-2 and then dinner about 8-9 (and that was arriving early).

The advice I followed was to never eat anywhere facing any major attraction (I am sure there are exceptions), and try out the Trastevere area for dinners. All of the food we ate was amazing! But everything I read about the dinners being long and drawn out were true. A bit of a change for us here in NA where the goal is to turn the table over to seat more diners.

Winger: Thanks for your suggestion about adjusting one's eating habits --- to paraphrase an old chestnut, "when in Rome, eat when the Romans eat".

XFed2001 Yup, it's do-able but usually these(the ones that open early) restaurants often target tourist. Like you said, "while in Rome...". Enjoy those long dinners and the atmosphere.

Where tourist congregate? Well, the usual haunts. The only problem is that the prices there tend to be exhorbitant. Best bet is to get the concierge recommend you a good place or get a good guide book.

SQFAN: Appreciate your warning. Hopefully the concierge will be able to suggest some dining venues meeting our early dining tastes. Thanks again.

Huh?? I really cant believe you actually posted that here ( even if you did think it ) What gives you or any American the right to pass judgement as to how Italians should have their meals and run their restaurants?
Do you think Italian restaurants are losing money???

Do you think a nation where people take food seriously should adopt the insane American way of trying to eat a three course meal in under an hour?.
Dining is " an experience" you will find you can order each course at a time and not end up stuffing yourself with an entree you pre-ordered even though you are already full.

This your first trip Europe is it?
FYI you will find the same in France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland in fact just about everywhere ( In the world..maybe)

Try and enjoy the other side of life ( or dining) and not expect others to be "just like home"
Really whats the point of travelling????

mike

XFed, Here's what you do: Get some snacks in your room, have a glass of wine & some cheese at, say, 5 pm. Then take a nap from 6-8:30 and then head out to dinner.

That way you'll have the energy to stay up late and eat a nice, long, luxurious dinner which (because you're eating slowly) you can digest, even 'tho it's late.

Rome's a fabulous city with terrific food and fantastic people. Watch what others do... and don't just try to experience America in someone else's country. That's where the expression, "Ugly American" comes from. You'll never experience the generosity and love of the Italians if you just hold onto your normal sphere of experiences.

Good luck. Rita

You'r absolutely right? I sincerely apologize. I don't even know what I was thinking when I wrote that. Obviously, I wasn't thinking. Mea culpa to all.

Rita: Thanks for your suggestion. Thanks for not beating me up over the stupid sttement I made about Italian business practices. However, I deserve to be soundly thrashed for making such a stupid and insensitive statement.

Not A problem ( i didnt intend to beat you up )
We just wanted you to have a great trip without unfullfilled expectations.

I also responded to your pm. Have a great trip.

MIKE

A Roman friend has suggested the following to me for an upcoming trip to Rome:
Piccola Cuccagna
14, via della Cuccagna - Piazza Navona
tel. 06 686 1290
closed on Sundays
Massimo is the owner, his mother supervises the kitchen.

La Campana
18,Vicolo della Campana via della Scrofa (just beyond end of via Condotti)
tel. 06 686 7820
Closed Mondays
Ask for Luciano (waiter who has been there forever)
This is one of the oldest restaurants in Rome, near the Tiber; fresh fish, veggies, homemade desserts, soups.

Taverna dei Gracchi
266-268 Via dei Gracchi (Piazza Cola dei Rienzo)
tel. 06 321 3126
Closed Mondays
Dante, owner
Upscale rest. for seafood, shellfish, mushrooms, truffles, pasta w/shellfish & saffron, veal roll stuffed w/cheese and ham

Ristorante da Mario (Tuscan)
55 via della Vite (parallel to via Condotti)
tel. 06 678 3818
Mario Mariani, owner
Pasquale, head waiter (ask to sit at his table)
Closed Sunday
Lunch 12:30 - 3:00
Dinner 7:30 - 11:00

I also recommend having a coffe at Sant' Eustachio (near the Pantheon) and of course, you must try the famous ice cream at Giolitti north of the Pantheon. Also, San Crispino for gelato near the Trevi Fountain.

Have a wonderful trip!

Dorlee: Thanks so much for your dining suggestions. With all the great input from everyone, I only hope that the weather will cooperate for early October. Thanks

I have eaten at the Taverna dei Gracchi and have to say that the veal dish is so yummy that my mouth is salivating jus thinking about it.