Just an FYI look out for the salt in Rome!

Love Italy but hate the heavy handed use of salt in this region.

We didn't have a problem with salty food in Italy. (And I never salt my food at home.) Maybe it depends on what you order and where you eat.

I haven't noticed a problem with salty food either.

The best place in all of Rome to have a sunset drink and admire the stunning view, imo, is the rooftop terrace at the Albergo del Senato hotel right on the Piazza della Rotonda by the Pantheon. The drinks, the atmosphere, the sights, looking down at the madding crowds in the Piazza with glass of Prosecco in hand, watching the sun turn the ancient buildings to a lovely rose color-a perfect perfect August evening in Rome...(and speaking of weather, Rome could not have been more beautiful or more comfortable at the end of August-no sticky, hot, muggy weather at all, temps. between 82-89 degrees, and little humidity-perfect!)

We had an excellent, reasonably priced meal at the Ambasciata D'Abruzzo in Parioli.

http://www.ambasciatadiabruzzo.com

Thank you all for your great suggestions! I knew you guys would come through for us!

Der Pallero sounds like the kind of place that we would really enjoy.

The roof top of the del Senato hotel sounds like a great place to have a drink and watch the world go by.

Thanks again for all your ideas.
Laurie

I often hesitate to recommend Ambasciata D'Abruzzo because it is a bit out of the way, but I think it, and Checcino dal 1897 are my favorite two restaurants in Rome. Along with Trattoria Monti.

Laurie, if you want to hop a taxi to any of these places, it will be well worth the trip!!

Der Pallaro near the Campo di Fiori and Trattoria Monti get my vote.

Dinner (7:30PM) at the "Ristorante LA Cisterna" in Trastevere. Oldest restaurant in Rome was built in ~1632 in the most ancient part of the city.

We walked up Via Parboni and up Viale D. Trastevere turning on V.S. Michele a Ripa (North) then Right on V. D. Cisterna. 00153 Roma Via Della Cisterna, 13 Tel. 06 582543.

La Cisterna's food was very good!. We started with champagne which was offered upon arrival. Then we ordered the first course and shared: Red Wine, and Lasagna. For the second, we all had roast lamb and there was a duo of older men who went from table to table. One played the accordion, the other played the guitar, and both sang. They'd play requests in addition to tunes they felt appropriate. Looking around, all the families were having a great time!! -- I just loved watching the singing and the faces of the different people at the tables while being sung to.

For dessert we had tiramisu, espresso, and cappuccino. Cost - $$

HISTORY: "La Cisterna" restaurant is certainly one of the oldest restaurants of Rome capital. Hans Rath, a German writer in love with Rome, in his book titled "Osterie Romane" (Roman Taverns), dates the origins of La Cisterna back to the year ~1630, when the tavern "osteria" was situated below the street level (four meters below today's street level). In 1700's the street level of the neighborhood Trastevere (named after the famous Roman river, the Tiber) was elevated to avoid the frequent flooding of the adjacent river. This level, called the underground, is where the historical well from the 17th century around which the "osteria" tavern was originally built is situated. The well called by the people of the neighborhood "Cisterna" gives the name to the restaurant.

At the end of the eighteenth century on top of the new street level was built the new building, which still hosts the restaurant "La Cisterna" now.

After World War I, Cesaretto and Marietta Simmi, originally from Trastervere, bought the tavern and transformed it into a worldwide famous restaurant, which maintains the cordial and friendly atmosphere that is typical of Trastevere.

After having had dinner with a background of Roman songs the guests go for a tour in the underground level where the Simmi family has kept all evidences and historical finds of the century, including the wonderful well.

It is also the restaurant tradition at the end of the tour to have the guests throw a coin in the well and celebrate with a glass of champagne to wish for their return to this suggestive place. Therefore, after dinner, we were invited (as all guests are) downstairs to visit the museum which contains the cistern that Roman legions used to drink from. We were again given a glass of champagne to drink.

In summation, this was very good food and best was the service and entertainment. I highly recommend this restaurant. FUN!!

From the Guide book: Trattoria Monti , famiglia Camerucci, Via San Vito, 13/a, phone 064466573. This satisfying trattoria features food from the Marches, the lovely, little-visited area northeast of Rome on the Adriatic. Not far from Santa Maria Maggiore, the Camerucci family runs one of the most dependable, moderately priced trattorias in the city.

Nestled away on the road between Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Vittorio is this tiny culinary gem. Specializing in traditional cooking from the Marche region, the chef is especially proud of tortello di rosso d'uovo, or pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach then oven roasted with hard-boiled eggs inside. Another mouthwatering delicacy is coniglio tartufato, or rabbit stuffed with pork and spices, drenched in truffle-based olive oil and served with roasted potatoes.

Try some of their specialties from the Marche region, such as homemade soups with seasonal vegetables or timballo di coniglio con patate (rabbit casserole with potatoes). The house white wine is a very good Verdicchio from the Marche.

We started with some Chianti red wine. Next we ordered Ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, and Lasagna to share. For the second we ordered (two) rolled beef stuffed with artichokes and (one) Cod fish in tomato sauce. Also ordered was, two desserts, espresso and two cappuccinos. Total 105.50 euros. Great food and good service! We should have tried the rabbit!

Florence, Italy (not Rome)

Walking south on “Via Proconsolo” we turned left on “Via della Vigna Vecchia” and stopped at “Acqua al 2”. http://www.acquaal2.it/restyle/ing/indexing.html

Near the "Trevi Fountain", we were directed to the “Bruschetteria di Nonna Papera”, vic. dei modelli 60” by a promoter (person handing out cards). The specialty of the restaurant: a bruschetta, which is a steamed, giant slice of bread with olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, and whatever you can imagine on it. Here is our bill:

3 Servizio al tav 4.50
1 Acqua 1 litro 2.00
1 Birra media 4.50
1 Fanta 3.00
1 Vino rosso 1 lt. 12.00
1 Toscana 3.10
1 Insalata 9.00
1 Gnocchi alla Bolognese 7.75
1 Gnocchi alla Sorrentina 8.00
1 Lasagna 7.00
1 Expresso 1.80
1 Cappuccino 3.50
1 Tiramisu 4.65
Totale 70.80

Headed north down a large flight of stars to “Largo Venosta” and up “Via Giovanni” to “Via S. Martino al Monti” and to the “Ristorante La Forchetta D’oro”.
We shared ravioli in walnut sauce, spaghetti with small clams, spaghetti with tomatoes and mozzarella, water, and flan for dessert.

we proceeded south walking down “Via del Corso” to “Via d. Plebiscito”.

Walking east then north we arrived at “La Danesina di Annalisa Polo”, Via del Governo Vecchio, for dinner.

From their ad:

“The flower to the eyelet de the Danesina is the cooked Danish meat on lavica stone. They do not lack, but, local specialties like the maialino to latte and the schiaffoni to the amatriciana. Meat first quality and made fresh paste in house. The Danesina, graceful small restaurant from the fresh and peasant atmosphere to two steps from the splendid Navona Public square are the flower to the eyelet de. A bomboniera authentication in which the servants only genuine food prepared with natural ingredients and following simple prescriptions. The rich one menu previews rich specialties of the sapori of the roman kitchen and plates made up of Danish meat (from which the name of the premises) cooked on lavica stone.”

“It can be begun by hand with appetizers of gratinate and grilled mixed verdure, prosciutto raw cut, mozzarella of bufala or assays of sea, all many sfiziosi. Between first they detach the schiaffoni to the amatriciana, the paste to the "danesina" with pomodorini soothe and fresh basil, garlic, extra oil vergine of olive and chili pepper, the spaghetti to the carbonara, the rigatoni with pajata or the pens to the angry one. Between the second plates they advise the tail to the vaccinara, the trippa, the maialino to the latte ones, the cut one of danesina, the lobster, the mazzancolle. All it can be accompanied from a red one of Montalcino. Excellent also the cakies made in house like the tiramisù or the crostata one. With table cloths to small checks greens, the cassettoni and the tables in wood, it is the ideal place for who is to the search of the sapori of the true served Mediterranean kitchen in a familiar and kind atmosphere. Just for these characteristics the Danesina is every day attended from one varied customers, attracted from the possibility to choose, also to lunch, menu tourist and always various plates of the day. The staff, all to the feminine one, adds a touch of sympathy and grace to a made atmosphere of semplicità, cordialità and above all of genuinità.”

http://roma.lanetro.it/canales/desar...idresumen=2806

We ordered, Chianti wine ( 1 liter), one Birra, acqua, quattro di formaggi tortellini, a couple more pastas (?), Agnello (Lamb), pollo con rucola, tiramisu, chocolate mousse, cappuccinos, and espresso. Very good! 65.50 euros

we walked across the Tiber river at “Ponte Emanuelle”. Turning right, we followed the river south, then, turned east to “Piazza Sforza Cesarini” and “Trattoria “da Luigi” on “Vittorio Emanuale II”. Here is their link: http://www.trattoriadaluigi.com/

We ate outside in the square, although it started to rain for a few minutes as we sat down, but the rain stopped after that. We ordered wine, water, and sodas to drink, with our bread. Two lasagnas, ravioli in walnut sauce, then steak, chicken, and pork roast for the second. For desert we had tiramisu, espresso and two cappuccinos. 102 euros. Wow, not cheap!

These were our top three.

1. Romeantica - Via Emanuele Filiberto, about 15 minutes walk from the Coliseum. This may have been the pricier one of the three but it was authentic, delicious fare. Not many tourists.

2. Tratorria Luz - Two blocks from the Coliseum. Ate there twice, on our last night we had a Pizza, two entrees, a bottle of wine and two desserts for 27 Euros.

3. dar Pallaro - like the other poster suggested. This was a Rick Steve's recommendation. Five course fixed menu, 20E per person, worth every penny.

As a frame of reference I would like to add that I am a Personal Chef in the US, so I tend to be pickier than most people when it comes to food.

Thanks again for all your wonderful suggestions! I am making quite a list. I just wish we had more than 4 days in Rome so that we could try them all!

Laurie,
you MUST try MYOSOTIS, in my opinion it is one of the best restaurants in Rome. Alas, it is not inexpensive: I think the price is 40/50 euros per person, but it absolutely deserves tour money,
ciao,
Marcolino

Thanks, Marcolino,
At 40-50 euros per person, this would be quite a spluge for us, but some places are worth it. It sounds like the experience at Myosotis is great!

Laurie...
It just so happens that I was going through my old receipts from my last trip to Italy, and I found my check from Myosotis. I ate alone, and it was €63, but, I had an entire bottle of wine by myself :"> (It was a nice white!) I had an appetizer, pasta, and a secondi, and dessert, plus the wine, and bottle of sparkling water.

Yes, it was a big meal for one person. I was hungry that day. Hee Hee.

I guess that my point is, Myosotis is pretty reasonable if you don't eat like I did!!