luvsun

We are staying in the Via Veneto area for three nights in late September and looking for some small, charming (but somewhat casual--not jacket and tie) restaurants within this general area (walking distance or short cab ride). Any recommendations? Will we need reservations before we arrive?

yorkshire

I will be staying in that area in October (b/c free hotel!), and I get the sense so far (maybe to be disproved later) that the area has mostly tourist oriented restaurants, which sometimes means lesser quality. I downloaded two apps with food guides, and I am not on my tablet right now, but just this morning I read on one of them that a well regarded seafood place in Trastavere had opened a second restaurant in VV. Otherwise, the VV recommendations were minimal, but there are neighboiring areas to explore. The apps can be downloaded from the two websites below, which you may find useful:
http://www.parlafood.com/rome-for-foodies/
http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome....-eat-rome.html
Otherwise, the slow food guide has yet to let me down.
Please share what you find when you return!

Dukey1

On the upper Via Veneto there are numerous restaurants where many ITALIANS eat. Lots of them have extensions on the sidewalk which is a common practice.

We've had great food in some and not so great in others.

To completely bypass them because a tourist like yourself might eat there is foolish IMO.

yorkshire

Dukey1, I was not saying to avoid them because tourists eat there, as I stated, I was sharing my research and conventional wisdom--using the word "sometimes" as a caveat--that the gems might be few and far between. Also, they are looking for specific recommendations.

Caliban

Look at Osteria Barberini, which sounds like what you want.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ome_Lazio.html

kybourbon

There are quite a few glass enclosed restaurants on the sidewalk. Some associated with the hotels,some simply restaurants. Some upscale, some aren't.

While the Rome Tourism Board doesn't keep their sites totally up to date, you can search by area or type. Use the advance search tab on the right. Select center of Rome under zone and rione Ludovisi (via Veneto) under district.

http://www.060608.it/en/accoglienza/mangiare-e-bere

stevewith

People who know anything about food generally rate the via Veneto as one of the most difficult areas to find a good meal. Here is a recent Chowhound thread elaborating on the problem

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/909001

The via Veneto is not a short street, and I don't know how much you want to walk. If you are neatly dressed, but without a jacket or tie, you should be able to dine comfortably at Colline Emiliane. It is not Roman food, but it gets high marks. If you really like the food, you should continue to go back. Don't feel like you are missing "something" if you have a great neighborhood restaurant to go to.

(Dukey, you seem perpetually more concerned on Fodor's with scolding people who won't just suck it up and being a "typical tourist" than helping people who are trying to have a quality experience of Italy. Why do keep harping on this? Many people go to Italy and discover a lot by getting away from other tourists and their ideas.)

Pepper_von_snoot

I would never ever eat at any restaurant on the Via Veneto. They are all overpriced tourist traps.

I recommend Matriciana, Trattoria Monti, Buca di Ripetta, Cul de Sac.

The Via Veneto is well past its expiration date.

Thin

Pepper_von_snoot

There is also Ciampinni on the Vialle Trinita dei Monti just down the road from the Hassler.

The food isn't spectacular, but the views of Rome are exceptional.

Thin

bookchick

Cesarina on via Piemonte is quite good, as is Giarrosto Fiorentino on via Sicilia, although the latter requires "business attire". Please note that although neither are on via Veneto, they're in the general neighborhood. As mentioned Colline Emiliane, tucked away on a little street off Piazza Barberini (up the street from via Veneto) is an award-winning restaurant.

I'd definitely second Thin's endorsement of Buca di Ripetta, however, which is not in the neighborhood of which you're inquiring.

Buon Appetito e Buon Viaggio,
BC

Debs

Another vote for Buca di Ripetta!

mocha_dolce

Recommended, and just off Via Veneto on Via Sardegna: San Marco

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ome_Lazio.html

yorkshire

Not sure about the OP, but this has given me a great list to start with, so thanks everyone!

luvsun

Thank you everyone for your recommendations. We will only be there three nights so you have given me a good selection to choose from.