Mclaurie, thank you for your reecommendations, much appreciated.

Mamma Love, I heed what you say. In 1999 we briefly visited Venice, while on a bus tour. My wife used the wash-room, while having a bite to eat in a bar/restaurant. The floor was awash, and it was not water.
Richard.

Does anyone have any restaurants near the Hotel Savoy in Rome that is reasonable and tasty that they would recommend? Thanks for letting me tag onto your original posting!

Sorry that should have been "are"-too much red wine tonight...my English teachers would be so upset?

Last Sunday I read an article about eating and restaurants in Venice written by Janis Cooke Newman -- online in travel section of www.dallasnews.com. Most of her suggestions such as La Furatola, a very small place known for fresh seafood or Fiaschetteria Toscana, another family-run restaurant do NOT fall under the category of cheap eating places. These places are on the high-end pricewise and of a quality dining experience. HOWEVER she did discuss inexpensive eating options by going to a 'bacaro', a small, stand-up wine bar. Sound similar to the tapas bars you'll find in Spain. You eat standing up at the bar, selecting a variety of small items. Two bacaros she mentioned were:
Do Mori, San Polo 429, by Rialto Market, 011-39-041-522-5401, open 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Closed for a week in July and two weeks in August;
Cantina giá Schiavi, Dorsoduro 992, San Trovaso, 011-39-041-523-0034, open Monday through Saturday.

Lastly, the article talked about a wonderful place for dessert, the Pasticceria Marchini, 011-39-041-522-9109, 676 Calle Spadaria, San Marco.

Allright, then, let me share my favorite pizzeria in Venice. It's a tak-out place in San Polo in Campo de San Margherita, about 10 minutes walk from Rialto or 15 from Accademia. The hole in the wall is called Al Volo and it is in a lovely piazza that only very few lost tourists would wander by. I will swear by the pizza. There is always a line-up by the joint - all of them locals.

We chanced upon it a few years ago while intentionally getting ourselves lost in Venice and we saw a huge crowd lined up one early evening when locals were just milling around at the piazza. Without having been to Naples, this is the best pizza we've ever had in Italy. Get a couple of slices (just point away at the menu or at the displayed pizza) and a few cans of soft-drinks, find a bench in the piazza, and munch away just like the locals. You'll never forget the experience and I'll bet that you'll go back whenever you're in Venice.

P.S.
We've only been there 3 times, just as the number of thime weve visited venice over the past 3 years. The last time was just about 2 weeks ago.

Tess and ezlivin, thank you for suggestions of the cantina and the pizzeria in the San Polo; we are staying in a B&B in the same district, so we will definitely look them up.
Richard.

Richard,
Don't know when you are leaving, but if you have a chance, pick up a GREAT book "Great Eats in Italy" by Sandra Gustafson. Have been using it for about 10 years, and she's never been wrong. Lists the $ of all meals, and most fall in your budget. She covers Venice, Rome and Florence. I'll be in Rome the same time you are, from May 3 to July 21. Have been many times and know quite a few of the best (and cheapest) places to eat. Be more than happy to help. Just let me know

Meljam,
We leave in two weeks on Wednesday.
It sounds like a good book to own but unfortunately the bookstores in Christchurch, New Zealand, do not have a copy and perhaps it would be to late to order it from the likes of Amazon.

If you could give me a few names in the budget range I would be most appreciative.
Richard.

Mario's Via del moro, 53. see www.francescatravel.com/rome.htm.

The funny thing was our last visit, we went over to trastevere looking for a place to eat (nothing fancy, we were with our 9&12 yr old at the time). We ate at an OK restaurant than wandered around some more. I knew the area looked familiar and I was close to Mario's. I kind of followed my instincts and found it (where we ate the following night). It was a Friday night. One part of the restaurant was filled with large tables of Italian families.

MFNYC,
Thank you for the address of Mario's, I have taken note of it and will definitely have a 'bite to eat' there.
Richard.

Dear Richard,
Here's her website: greateatsandsleeps.com
She has reviews and travelers comments.
Check it out.
My Favs in Rome, Antiqua Taverna (Navona Area), Al Piperno (Jewish Quarter, more $ but worth it), Orso 80 (previously mentioned antipasti), Hostaria Guilio (Campo dei Fiori), Hostaria Costanza (Campo dei Fiori), Buccone (Piazza di Popolo), Pizza Re (di Popolo)and on Via della Croce 39, Beltramme da Cesaretto Fiaschietteria, AKA Fiaschietteria, Enoteca Cavour 313 (Colosseum) If you need more, just let me know. My flat for the 3 months is right off the Corso, and I'm spending a week in Sorrento. All the best Melinda

Richard,
LA Times had an article about budget eating places in Rome, as well as Paris and London. Iregeo listed these suggestions for cheap eats in the thread > > > http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34494206