Looking for restaurant in Rome with great antipasta plate
 

Strange question I know but in previous trips to Italy, I have had a few antipasta plates that were just marinated and/or grilled vegetables. They were great but I really don't remember any of the restaurants. A friend of mine who is a vegetarian will be joining us for a day in Rome and I would love to take her to a restaurant that has a large plate of these marinated vegetables available.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
April

Many ears ago, my cousin who lives in Rome, took us to Osteria 88. They had what I called the "antpasti" prix fixe (around 15 Euros), where they brought out many small grilled and fried veggies, beans, etc. It was one of our fave dinners in Europe! I love ssmall plates.

A famous place for its large antipasto buffet is L'Orso 80 near Piazza Navona. Many people go there and make a meal from the antipasto. However, the place has received mixed reviews recently on the quality of the food, the cost and hygiene.

Hostaria da Nerone, Via Terme di Tito, #96 near the Coliseum has a good selection of antipasti on display.
But this is not an all-you-can-eat type of place.

Grinisa is correct :-)! I got the name all wrong, but not the experience. That was quite a few years ago, but I still remember it fondly. Grinisa, too bad that the reviews are not what they used to be.

There's an Enoteca on via della Croce with a good mixed antipasto, and Giarosto Fiorentino on via Siciliana has a tremendous mixed antipasto.

Buon Viaggio & Buon Appetito,
BC

If all you are looking for is a plate of marinated vegetables, my guess is that you can get these in most Roman restaurants. I thought you were looking for a place that displays a spread of antipasti from which you can choose a few items..

If the latter, La Piazetta, has a very nice, but not extravagant, antipasti spread. From Maureen Fant:

La Piazzetta, vicolo del Buon Consiglio, 23a, Rome, (39-06) 6991640, fax (39-06) 69787252. Lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations are usually needed in the evening. There is no nonsmoking section, but ventilation is good and there are outdoor tables. Meal for two with a bottle of wine, about $82. No American Express or Diners Club.

______We had lunch and I had the antipasti buffet which was very good. This is a nice quiet little place with good food, prices and service.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The antipasta buffet would probably be a great idea for her but I also love the vegetables on display and getting the plate of mixed ones. I guess I never went to the right restaurtants because I only found them twice and they were wonderful. How I wish I could fix them like that at home.
Thanks again and any more suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
April

My favorite restaurant for antipasti is "Alla Rampa" which is located right near the Spanish steps. They have the most incredible anthpasti buffet, which most diners have for their entire lunch.

It even has a web page:

http://www.allarampa.it/home.php?language=English

ssteve, that place looks wonderful. Oh those Italain cooks!!!!

Judy - the place is indeed incredible. It is full every day for lunch. It's good to get there early!

We ate at this restaurant that had exactly what you are looking for. The restaurant is called Santopadre and is located at Via Collina,18. It is wonderful.

Another vote for La Rampa, at the base of the Rampa Mignanelli, just off the Piazza di Spagna.

Gruff, bustling waiters. VERY Roman feeling. Always full. Amusing kitsch decor in the main room -- the room next door is more tastefully decorated. Patronized by tourists and locals both. Superb value for money.

We eat there once, sometimes twice, on each trip to Rome.

A small note: The correct term is antipasto, not antipasta. Pasto is the general term for a meal -- thus, the antipasto "comes before" ("ante", in Latin) the meal.

BTW: The selection at La Rampa is huge, it is all of supreme quality and interest (artichokes, sundried tomatoes, mushroom caps, eggplant several ways, etc etc etc -- perhaps 40 dishes). AND there are items on offer for non-vegetarians too.

I tried Orso 80 a couple of times but the place really has zero atmosphere, IMO.

Another vote for L'Orso 80! Always crowded with locals, I love it.

sorry I didn't see this thread earlier. I highly recommend the vegetarian Il Margutta

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en/index.php

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/ristor...p;regione_id=7

Wow, when I posted this I thought I might get 1 or 2 answers but I was not even sure of that. Now I have all these wonderful options and from what I have seen I think I will try more of these than just 1 with my friend. I'm exicted. Thanks so much and if anyone wants to post please do, We are not leaving until February 6th.
Thanks again,
April

Here is my March 2008 report on La Rampa:

"This is a huge place that is always full, both of tourists and Romans. The decor of the high main room is kinda kitsch -- fake balconies/ rooftops of Rome shtick. The more recently decorated room next door is prettier but less bustling.

The restaurant has a long, long menu -- usually a bad sign. But everything we've ordered there was great.

Their most famous item is the antipasto buffet, which is huge, low-priced (10E for all you can squeeze on your plate) and excellent. Sample items from the antipasto table:

*seafood medley of mussels, squid, octopus with grilled vegetables, pearl onions; guineafowl wrapped in smoked ham; marinated artichokes; batter-crusted eggplant; bufala mozzarella; mushrooms in a lemon marinade; anchovy fillets....*

How, after that, did we proceed to our main courses: osso buco di vitella and "stracciate di manzo" (beef strips) with tomato and arugula? I can't quite believe it myself."

I've been to La Rampa--amazing "buffet" of antipasto. As I recall, though, be forewarned, they don't (or didn't a couple of years back)accept credit cards.

I've also been to Il Margutta, but didn't recall antipasti there. It is, however, a wonderful vegetarian restaurant, and has a very nice atmosphere. I sought it out specifically for dinner on a Friday evening in Lent.

Buon Viaggio e Buon Appetito,
BC

Just booked flights to Italy today and found a (funky, low-ceilinged, seriously underfurnished but dead chic + totally renovated) Rome apartment.

The apartment is at the corner of v. M. dei Fiori and v. Frattina. Hence about 4 minutes' walk from....La Rampa! I will certainly be dining there.