Barb

Fantastic report!! I've been solo to Rome a few times and your report made me feel like I was there walking in your shoes -- well not the platforms, but maybe the boots. Loved the restaurant reviews, in particular Da Alfredo e Ada's. I've tried to eat there twice now, but both times they were closed. I am going back to Rome in Oct. so I will try again. The last four paragraphs of your report were the best I think I have ever read on this forum and so eloquently sum up the experience of solo traveling. Brava!!

nnolen

I'm really glad you are all enjoying this. I felt like it was the least entertaining trip report I'd ever written. I enjoyed myself immensely, but I guess I didn't think my experiences were exciting in the traditional sense.

ekscrunchy

To state the obvious for the benefit of posters who do not much more than criticize and who may not be all that familiar with the restaurants of Rome, I think that the popularity of Ditirambo has much more to do with the fact than it is open on Sundays than anything else. I've had good meals here but will now think twice based on several negative reports I've read since my last visit.

bfrac

nnolen, thank you for sharing your wonderful report.

nnolen

Restaurants can always change, too. New management, new staff in the kitchen....all can spell disaster!

nnolen

Oh, and Barb....Alfredo e Ada is closed on weekends (odd for a restaurant, I know, but that's how it is). Since that might be when most people are looking to go out, it makes sense that you often found it closed.

Barb

I know I was thinking lunch and it could have been on the weekend, although as I remember, I had printed out the hours from here, and was surprised to find it closed. But.. I shall not give up!!

tarquin

It sounds as if Ditirambo is coasting on past glory - they WERE good when they first opened, or maybe it was the freezing limoncello on hot Roman nights.

tarquin

And a very enjoyable trip report, nnolen, lots of character and detail, and some Italian language too!

liverbird

I just loved this trip report- one of the best I've ever read. So beautifully written, I now can't wait for my trip to Rome end of May! Although I'm on a tight budget, I will be trying one of your restaurant recommendations, I love the sound of Alfredo e Ada, just what I'm looking for!
& thank you nnolen, for taking the time to replying to my question on the forum too.

nnolen

You are most welcome. Alfredo e Ada is so homey and is lovely for that reason. For better food (in my opinion) at the same price I'd say Enoteca Corsi or Enoteca Cul de Sac. But if you want the "Italian grandma special" (and there is something very appealing about that), then Alfredo e Ada is perfect.

JulieVikmanis

Wonderful report. Beautifully written and carefully thought out. Would you mind expanding a bit on your experience in Castel Gandolpho please? I've always wondered about whether it is worthy of a day trip and I'd like to hear more.

On a somewhat different note, I'm wondering about the appeal of this report. It obviously struck a chord with many. I recognize that this site overall seems more populated by women than men though we have a cadre of very good male posters. I don't recognize any usernames among the respondents to this post whom I've decided are male. I don't pretend to know the sex of all posters and it may not really be important, but are any of the folks who responded to or are following this thread male? Speak up guys. Is this report that struck so many of gals as really good basically what some would call "chicklit" or were you, too, taken with what a well-written insightful report this was?

Not trying to start some kind of battle of the sexes here. Just noticed something that I'd like to get more info/impressions on. Thanks.

nnolen

Well, if it helps, one of my male friends read and said that to call it a trip report was a sad understatement, so apparently it appealed to him, as well, but I'll be interested to see if there are any other responses. It was obviously from a female perspective so I wouldn't be surprised if most of the readers of it were female.

Castelgandolfo in and of itself might not be worthy of a day trip, but all the Castelli Romani together....I'd say definitely. Amazing views, absolutely charming streets and towns, and an opportunity to get out of the hustle and bustle of Rome for just a bit.

JulieVikmanis

Thanks nnolen, you're as responsive as you are literarily gifted. I think I'll try to book into the area for a day trip next time I'm in Rome.

jubilada

I love this trip report because it conveys so much about an individual's particular experience: sensory, emotional, cognitive . I want to meet the writer as much as I want to go to the places described.

ira

Thanks for sharing, nn.

Great report.

charnees

Thanks for your lovely trip report. It was so well-done. And I have taken notes on your recs. for restaurants in Rome.

michelleNYC

Fantastic report nnolen!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it ended my day on a high note.

ThinGorjus

I am still kicking myself that Keith and I did not get to Buca di Ripetta when we were in Rome this past September. We had planned on going but walked by Matriciana instead and decided to try it because it was packed. Matriciana was very good but our friend, Bookchick, gave us the reco for Buca di Ripetta and we really wanted to try it.

There were just too many restaurants to choose from. Plus, sometimes we would get a gelato from Blue Ice and then be too full (up to pussy's bow as they say in Perth) to eat a meal.

Or, we would go to the Hassler for cocktails, get drunk, and harass the staff at Ferragamo.

Your report is well done and interesting to read.

Thin

Dayle

nnolen,

I'm go glad you had a good time (how could you not?) and thanks for the great trip report. So interesting to hear you echo some of my same feelings about my solo trip experiences.

I so love Roma!