Margaretlb

I'm arriving next Monday for a seven night solo trip to Rome. My second trip to Rome but my first solo. My very strenuous itinerary is set and I've been working on my restaurant list. So many restaurants, so little time! So, my criteria has been to find places that are comfortable for a solo diner, not too expensive (E40-E50) and serving traditional Roman food (yes, the "fifth quarter" and definitely pajata). After lots of lurking here, SlowTalk and on TA as well as any other info I could glean from the Intranet, here are my pics, so far. Any comments plus or minus would be greatly appreciated. And, I'm still looking for two more dinner selections - Trastevere and Centro Storico (although I'd probably like to return to Armando's).

Trattloria Cadorna - via Raffaele Cadorna, 12
Dal Cavalier Gino - vicolo Rosini 4
Trattoria Monte - loved my dinner here in 2006 so am returning!
Perilli - via Marmorata 39
La Buca di Ripetta - via Ripetta 36

I know Checchino dal 1887 has very good reviews and is more expensive than my target so would be a splurge (that I'd be willing to take) but what kinds of turns me away is the fact that it's a fancier place and maybe not quite appropriate for a solo. What do you think?

I've also selected a couple of places for lunch that fit in my intinerary for what I expect will be a much needed "sit down and rest awhile". Plus, I needed to fit in a couple of more trattorie
Cannovota - Pz. S. Giovanni in Laterno
Lilli - via Tor di Nona 23

Thanks for your comments.
Margaret

Zerlina

Da Gino is great for lunch (almost all regulars), but I've read horrible reports of dinner: two seatings in a short amount of time and no regulars.

Checchino is, I think, worth it, and it's not all that much more expensive than other Testaccio places. I've been for lunch alone, and I can't imagine any difficulty having dinner solo.

Margaretlb

...two seatings in a short amount of time ...

Yes, I noticed that 8:00 or 9:30 comment on TA. Sure, that's logical that locals would avoid (especially the 8:00).

Maybe I will try Checchino's as it really is intriguing me so I should probably satisfy my curiousity.

Dazedandconfused

La Buca di Ripetta is very good. We enjoyed good service and thought the food was excellent.

ekc

I would highly recommend Checchino - we had a wonderful lunch there in 2009. Very cozy restaurant that would be fine for a solo diner.
The one place that we absolutely loved that is not on your list is Roscioli - unbelievably good and lots of tables for 2 (and a counter if I recall correctly). It would be a perfect spot for you. We loved it so much at lunch we came back for dinner our last night and will be returning when we go to Rome in October.
Katie Parla also has a great list of her favorite restaurants in Rome that she recently updated. www.parlafood.com.

ekscrunchy

Buca di Ripetta is a good local trattoria.

Loved our one dinner at T. Monti.

At Trattoria Cadorna, I believe a speciality is the spaghetti with clams; I meant to try the place last time but did not have time..

Margaretlb

Trattoria Cadorna is an easy walk from Palazzo Massimo-where I plan to finish my day-and the reviews sound good.

Any word about Ditarambo? I've seen mixed reviews although most are good.

iamq

We had lunch at Checchino and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a solo traveler.

The pajata was delicious as was the oxtail. Service is attentive without being snooty. It was a very comfortable place with little pretense.

Lexma90

We've eaten at Ditirambo several times, as a good choice for a Sunday night restaurant (when many restaurants are closed). I like it; it's a creative take on traditional Roman dishes. It definitely won't be as traditional as your other selections, though would provide a good contrast.

For more info and discussion on restaurants in Rome than you might want to get into, check out chowhound. Their Italy board is very active, and Maureen Fant, as well as other local experts, often posts there.

In case you need a break from a restaurant lunch, consider a fabulous pizzeria rustica. It's called La Florida, and it's at via Florida, 25, across the street from Torre Argentina (where Julius Caesar was murdered). Tiny place, great variety of pizzas that are always fresh because they move so quickly. They have one or two small tables, or you can take your pizza and soda and sit on a nearby bench.

In Trastevere, we enjoyed our lunch at Checco Er Carettiere, via Benedetta 10/13. It was a lovely Sunday, and I was worried it would be touristy. Not to worry - it was wholly populated by Roman families at lunch (and us); we got one of the few unreserved tables in the interior courtyard and had great fish, pasta and suppli. It was pretty traditional, though I was seeking out suppli, fried artichokes and pasta ceci e pepe rather than organ meats, so I can't help you there.

DownUnder

Fortunato al Pantheon. In a big tourist area, but not touristy. Very Roman with traditional menu, terrace perfect for solo lunching.

Margaretlb

thank you lexma90. I'm thinking about Ditirambo for Sunday dinner - my last night in Rome. I also heard good things about Teatro de Pompeo - which surprised me as it has such a touristy sounding name. The food is supposed to be very good. I guess I'll wait until mid-week to decide. I leave on Sunday evening so one more day --can't wait.

BTW- I'm also very interested in artichokes - one of my fav foods and in season!