Please help with Rome dining
Apr 25th, 2000, 08:41 AM
#1
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Please help with Rome dining
My husband and I will be in Rome on a Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night in May. I've read tons of books but want to know what real people think of the following or add your own. <BR> <BR>Quinzi & Gabrileli <BR>Myostis <BR>Il Convivio (is is still a must-go?) <BR>Sabatini <BR>Il Drappo <BR>Da Giggetto <BR>Ostaria de Giovanni Ar Galleto (Piazza Farnese) <BR>Pierluigi <BR>Grappolo d'oro <BR>Antico Arco <BR> <BR>We wanted to maybe eat near Piazza del Popolo, <BR>or somewhere near Spanish Steps, Via del Corso etc (you get the general area) one night because we thought it would be a nice diversion from the piazza navona, jewish ghetto the other two nights, but can't seem to pin down a great place that isn't extremely touristy. Any suggestions???? THANK YOU.
Apr 25th, 2000, 01:18 PM
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Lisa, just ate at Il Convivio a couple weeks ago (they recently moved location) -- it was good, but not great. In my view, it was not worth it. We also ate in a comparably priced restaurant called Camponeschi in the Piazza Farnesse that we felt WAS worth the money -- I highly recommend it. Given that you work at bbdo, I assume that you live around NYC and in my NYC-centric view, further supports my conclusion that you would not be that impressed with Il Convivo. Further backup: the Camponeschi recommendation came from one of our well-traveled London-based salesperson who covers several accounts in Rome. Have a great time.
Apr 25th, 2000, 04:01 PM
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Hi, <BR> <BR>We just got back from Rome Sun. One of the places we ate at was Il Convivio. I agree with Jeff. To me it was too stiff and overpriced, and I couldn't understand what was so great about it. It was very quiet, and I suppose romantic if that's what you want. We've been married over 32yrs. and together on vacation at that point (when in Rome) for almost 2 weeks, so I personally didn't need that kind of atmosphere. The portions were on the small side, while being expensive. ALSO, I think that was the restaurant that didn't take VISA just AMEXCO and Diners Club. Although my husband has Diners Club he never uses it, so he decided to lighten up his wallet by taking some of his credit cards out just the morning before we went to Il Convivio. Thank goodness he had gone to the ATM for some cash. We have never run into anyplace that doesn't take VISA, with the exception of " cash only places." Nino's near the Spanish Steps served a nice, reasonably priced meal. We sat next to two guys from Sarasota who have been going to Rome for 15yrs. and they enjy Nino's. It's casual and very popular - make resevations. Our table for 2 was close enough to the 2 guy's table that we all talked during the meals. We also had a very good meal at Vecchio Roma near the Jewish Ghetto. Sabatini's was rec., but we didn't have enough time to try it. <BR> <BR>Elsa
Apr 26th, 2000, 06:30 AM
#6
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'Typical' Roman food at Mignonelli ala Rampa, just behind Amexco off the Piazza di Spagna. Nothing fancy, but excellent food and as good an antipasto table, quality and quantity of choices, as we've seen in Rome. Many tourists, I'm afraid, but you are one, and they fill the city in June. More info at www.twenj.com/romerests.htm <BR> <BR>Also near the Piazza, Il 34 Ristorante on via Mario de' Fiori at#34, naturally. Well recommended, usually crowded. See a bit more at www.twenj.com/romesrestsothrs.htm <BR> <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria
Apr 26th, 2000, 12:26 PM
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Lisa - this is not really directed just at you - but why do people ask about hotels and restaurants on Fodors and fail first of all to look at prior messages? You are just wasting time and resources. Many of us who travelled to Rome, Venice, etc. this spring left information to help people just like you. Why don't you at least look back at the prior 2-3 months and print it out and study it BEFORE you ask the same question that's been answered many times before. There, I've said it. I feel better. I just hate to think you're not going to find the great stuff we placed here AFTER using it. By the way, Il Convivio is expensive, but has over the years been a great restaurant. Four of us were there the night of March 4 (in their new location) and it was not stiff at all. This is a family-run place - how in the world could it be stiff? And the food and wines were the best of the trip. For more moderate prices, use the places at www.scalareale.food. We did use several, and all were good. And do not drink the house wine when you can buy a nice Tuscan red or white from Piemonte or Veneto for under $20. Try that in NYC sometime. Have a good trip - and look at those posted tips!!!
Apr 26th, 2000, 12:48 PM
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Joseph I totally disagree with you, sorry. I too am going to be in Italy next month and just love reading all the hotel and restaurant recomendations. I agree that doing a search for past recomendations is good, but nothing like hearing from folk who have just arrived home. So thanks to everyone and please keep all your great advice coming.
Apr 26th, 2000, 03:46 PM
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Lisa. I just returned from Rome last Monday and stayed very close to the Piazza del Popolo at the Hotel Locarno. I am 100% Italian and very picky about food. I can't recommend the Buca del Ripetta enough. Small (10 tables) All other diners were Italian, everything delicious and very reasonably priced. Buon Appetito, teresa
Apr 30th, 2000, 06:03 AM
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The Vecchia Roma is located on a quiet piazza near the Teatro di Marcello and Bocca della Verità. It's a nice surrounding to be in a warn might. You may either dine inside in a beautiful setting (airy interior of beige walls and frescoed details in an 18th century building), very nice service, excellent cuisine and very good wine cellar. Cuisine is classic Roman. In June there should also be tables outside. Reservations are a must. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>
Apr 30th, 2000, 12:04 PM
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Dear Lisa, <BR> <BR>We ate at Da Giggetto which was very good. We loved their artichokes and zucchini flowers. I had their canneloni which was excellent. It's in the Jewish Ghetto, so I don't know if that is where you want to eat. WE also had a very good meal at Abruzzi. I heard that Piperno and Il 34 are also reasonable and good, but reservations are needed. Go to Ed's site and you will find many restaurant reviews and also past postings on this site. That's where I got all my info.We passed Sabatini on the way to Cavecanem in Trastevere and it looked nice, but expensive. We also noted that it was quite empty. <BR> <BR>Denise
May 3rd, 2000, 09:20 AM
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Hi Lisa, <BR> <BR>I can say do go to Ostaria de Giovanni Ar Galleto (Piazza Farnese). My husband and I were there in May 1998 and really enjoyed it. Here are the restaurants we dined in while in Rome (copied from my travel page: http://sites.netscape.net/monicapileggi/travel). Have a wonderful time!!! <BR> <BR>LA FRASCHETTA: Via S. Angenese in Agone, 21, Roma (Piazza Navona). Telephone: 06/688-06-86. Our meal consisted of bruchetta w/tomatoes, cheese plate, cannelloni, a pork dish and their house wine. $48. <BR> <BR>OSTERIA AR GALLETTO, PIAZZA FARNESE, 102, Roma. Telephone: 06/686-17-14. This restaurant is off Campo di Fiori. Antipasta, veal picatta, eggplant parmesan, house wine. Very good meal for about $33. <BR> <BR>PIZZA FANTASY: Via di Pietra, 85, Roma. Telephone: 06/67-80-973. This is between the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. We started with an antipasti which consisted of eggplant, mushrooms, mozzarella and tomatoes. We had the roasted chicken and house wine. Delicious meal. $30. They do serve pizzas there which looked great.
May 4th, 2000, 07:19 AM
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we were in rome last july. good food is everywhere! we especially enjoyed vecchio roma, its elegant and the food is outstanding. if i remember correctly they accept only diners club credit card. grappolo d'oro serves delicious food in a homey atmoshphere. the waiters were charming and the food was very good. bon apetit!
