I am going to Rome in October and have read that it may be truffle time. Does anyeone have any suggestions for restaurants that might be doing something special. Also, we are staying in an apartment near Campo de Fiore and would love any other restaurant suggestions.

I think October is a little early for truffles. I wrote a long report with lots of food information..I will top it for you so you can decide if you want to plow through it!

My wife and I had a good meal at Pancrazio near Campo de Fiore. We also liked two restaurants in the old Jewish ghetto, Da Giggeto next to the Portico d'Ottavia and al Pompiere, a few blocks away. Al Pompiere is the most formal of the three, and I think has the best food. For a light meal, try Insalata Ricca, a chain of salad restaurants. The Insalata Ricca nearest to Campo dei Fiori is on Corso Victor E near San Andrea church.

I just returned from Umbria and Rome--and we had a phenomenal meal at a wonderful restaurant in Rome: HOSTARIA DELL ORSO. The chef is considered one of the top 5 in Rome, according to our hotel. It's not cheap--about $150/person with wines and tip (service is not included)--but it was worth it! As foodies, we thought it was one of the best meals we've ever eaten in a restaurant.

HOSTARIA DELL ORSO is located in a 15th century building that is connected to Castel San Angelo through secret passageways under the Tiber River. They're closed off now, but our waiter offered to give us a tour of the old building.

If you're interested, I'll find the street address and e-mail contact. By the way, in case others are reading this, the restaurant is closed for holidays the last two weeks of August and all of September. Buon appetito!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34931625

While we are talking about food. Does anyone have an idea for gnochi on Thursday night?

We had Thursday gnocchi at the "Armando Pantheon" restaurant. Sorry I can't remember the exact restaurant name, but it's in ekscrunchy's report.

October is definitely not truffle season. The earliest would be mid to end of November.

Ekscrunchy, Thanks so much for the great report. I read it like I would read a good novel. Now I am printing, higlighting and more important reserving.

We ate a place called Constanza's which was out the Smeraldo Hotel front door (very near Campo di Fiora) - turn right out of hotel and go to the 3rd (I think) little tiny street to the left. You can see the vertical sign on the side of the building. Very good food - cool atmosphere (outside and in) and reasonably priced. Ask for directions from where you are staying... This was recommended by our private tour guide lady.....

We really enjoyed a very unassuming place called La Piazzetta, close to the Colosseum/Forum, if you will be visiting there. Great pastas and terrific antipasto bar.

Gnocchi Thursday was my favourite at Checco er Carettiere
Via Benedetta 10/13 - TRASTEVERE NEAR PIAZZA TRILUSSA
Roma 00153
06-5811413