Ttabb

Author: Ttabb ([email protected])
Date: 02/22/2008, 10:05 pm
I have spoken to the concierge at our hotel in Rome about what restaurants we should try for our three nights in Rome. He suggested that we try Santo Padre,Pierluigi and Da Giggetto. From what I've read, they have all gotten pretty good reviews. Any comments?

Zerlina

I've eaten at Da Giggetto - on a Sunday evening when it's one of the relatively few restaurants open. It's OK if you stick to the basics of Roman and Roman-Jewish cooking. But it's also in almost every guidebook, so you're likely to see more tourists than Romans there. Also, be prepared to have the waiter pointedly inform you that "Tip is not included." He's right; the service charge is not a tip. But he'd never say it to an Italian client and get away with it...

Grinisa

I've eaten at Pierluigi and did not enjoy it. The food was either mediocre or bad and the service was terrible. The waiter also said that "tip wasn't included." Others on this board love Pierluigi but my family had a bad experience there.

Flame123

I have unfortunately never gotten a good tip about a restaurant in any city in Italy from a hotel concierge or even the manager of a small B&B. The best tips we ever got were ones that we just happened to fall upon, such as asking a shopkeeper who was just closing his store for the lunch break where a certain restaurant was, and him telling us that we should try the one right next to it for better, cheaper and more "tru-Italian" food. Was he ever right!!!!

I find that most hotels steer tourists to the tourist-type restaurants which charge way too much for food that is not good, service which is usually below par, and aloof waiters.

dina4

We had an amazing meal at Pierluigi. In fact, the best meal in Rome. Everything we ate was delicious and the service was great, too.

Grinisa, I'm sorry you had a bad experience there!

longboatkey

Tipping in Rome is only for tourists; look at any table of "locals", or European tourists, when they pay, maybe a few Euros are offered if they had a good rapport with the waiter. Ask your waiter why the Italians do not tip...and relish his reply. Hey "All Amies, (Americans) have dollars dripping from their pockets, right??".

longboatkey

Actually if you are looking for an authentic Roman dining experience; go to "Sora Margherita" Associazione Culturale. P.zza delle Cinque Scole 30. This is not techincally a restaurant, rather a private "club"; this is the result of a legal battle with the City of Rome. It costs you nothing to "join", you just fill out an application when you go, if it is your first visit.
Food is excellent, from Carciofi alla Giudia,(crisp fried whole artichokes) to Fagottini di Vitello Leccabaffi, (little veal bundles with anchovies and cheese), and great contorni, Zucchine fritte all'Aceto, Broccoli al Burro e Fromaggio, etc. All fish dishes are noteworthy too. Good prices as well, but make a reservation in person if possible.

bill_boy

We've not been to Da Giggetto, but if it is Roman dishes in the Jewish quarters that you're looking for, then go to Al Pompiere.

The ox tail stew and the basic fried zucchini blossoms with cheese and the crispy artichokes are staples for us whenever we dine at this restaurant. Ask your server if they have any pasta dishes with fresh mushrooms for the day and you won't be disappointed.

Nikki

I had the same experience at Da Giggetto. The first time I did not experience this, but then I went a year later. The meal was fine, but the waiter came and informed us, "Tip not included." Felt awkward and uncomfortable. I don't want to get into a confrontation over the tip, but it feels bad to be embarrassed into leaving one.

hausfrau

Hmmm, interesting about the tip comments. My mom and I had a lovely summer lunch at Da Giggetto last June. Our waiter was very friendly and recommended a couple of the house specialties. The food was simple, classic, and very good. If you can sit outside, you'll be looking right at the Porto d’Ottavia and Theater of Marcellus.

Ttabb

It seems like a mixed review for Da Giggetto. Have any of you been to La taverna del ghetto in the Jewish Ghetto? Our guide suggested we try La taverna and had mentioned the service was not great at Da Giggetto and thought Piperno to be over priced. The concierge thought Da Giggetto to be tastier. Any comments?

Zerlina

I haven't eaten at La Taverna del Ghetto, but the online reviews are even more mixed than for Da Giggetto. Not a few people have posted that they were brought dishes they didn't order and were charged for them.