Is it okay to just order, say, pasta, or a salad at restaurants in Rome? Do they frown upon that or do I have to feel like a stupid American if I do that? I would just rather graze all day, and don't always have an appetite for a 4course meal.But then I read about the starters, primi pasta, and main courses,etc. Is it like USA where most people don't often order "the works?"
Thanks.

Ha! I beat you to this question a couple weeks ago!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35043108

Short answer: you do not have to order all the courses - just those you want. Although just a salad might not be the right course to limit yourself to, esp. b/c I don't think they have a 'salad' course such as what precedes a meal in the US. Read the thread I gave you - as there is much information there.

If you want to "graze" - go to the pizza and panini shops that are everywhere - you order whatever you want, pay by weight - they will heat it up for you, and you can always find a bench or somewhere to sit in a piazza to eat. Much cheaper than being seated and having to pay the cuberta (cover) for your table. We found that for smaller meals and snacks, this was the way to go.

The post that Travelnut gave you should answer just about every question you have about ordering. It was great.

As for grazing, scdreamer is right on. That's how my husband and I ate every day while we were there.

Just don't do your grazing in the fanciest of restaurants, pick more casual places and it will be fine (same as the USA).

You need to realize that it depends on where you're eating.

Most restaurants are not open all day - they are open from perhaps 12 to 3 for lunch and then don;t open again until 7pm or even later for dinner.

If you are talking about pizzerias, trattorias or tavola caldas they often have longer hours - and some may serve food all day. At these places you certainly don;t need to order multi-course meals - but whateveryou want.

But - you should realize that portions in Rome are much smaller than they are in the US. And salads are usually small side salads - not main course salads - although some places do have larger salads.

But - trying to eat between 3 pm and 7 or 8pm you may have to do quite a lot of looking - or find a sandwich shop or cafe for a snack.

Thanks for the great responses. I will follow up on that thread on the same subject.