A fascinating read, Ted. I need to thank you for recommending Osteria del Pegno, perhaps the highlight of some very good dining experiences I had in Italy on a two-week trip I took last month. From now on I think I will go back there every time I return to Rome. Great food, and such nice service. Wonderful.

I just came across your thoughtful, insightful and very helpful trip report.
Rome is my passion, and I will be there in 2 weeks (for 2 weeks). Two of your restaurants are now on my list, so thanks for that too.

Thanks. I'll be in Rome myself on October 30, after a week in Montepulciano and 5 nights in Puglia.

So 2 nights to dine in Rome. Where will it be?

Yes, thanks for the insight into the Italian personna - I came back from a trip to France tellling people that the French were not as rude as they are reputed to be, but then after a week in No. Italy I realized that the Italians are really just that much nicer! Not sure I would concur that Venetian cuisine is mediocre, but perhaps that suggests you've had especially good experiences elsewhere, so if you want to call my necktar poison, . . . .

And not all areas of the US are the same - here in Tennessee our politicians can say the USA is a Christian nation, if they want to. and after a few more hits of 'shine, it becomes more Christianer, gol-durnit!

I'm sure Venetian cuisine is not mediocre but Venice restaurants ....may not meet a consistent standard.

I've generally eaten better in other regions and for far less money than in Venice.

110E for a light-ish LUNCH for 2, at Corte Sconta??

(My brother & his wife were keen to go. But they're New Yorkers, so price means nothing to them)

iluvitaly: Depends on where you're staying. Are you somewhere central? My ideal is to walk only 5-10 minutes to a restaurant (though of course, that cannot be an invariable rule)

We rent an apartment on Via Farnesi, steps from Piazza Farnese.

Some of our "local" restaurants are Ditirambo, GrappoloD'Oro, Ai Balestrari, Ar Galletto, Sergios, Filettaro d Baccala. (don't really like Der Pallaro)
A little farther, Enoteca Corsi, Armando al Pantheon, Settimios al Pantheon.

So, with only 2 nights, what are your choices?

You're way ahead of me!!!
From that list, I've eaten only at Ditirambo and at the quite disappointing Der Pallaro!

Looking for recommendation for Rome apartment with either balcony or terrace-nothing above the 3rd floor without a lift -hey, we are old people that tire easily ;)-reasonable pricing-for two people-about a week.
For Venice accomodations we would highly, highly recommend B&B Sandra-
http://www.bbalessandra.com/
We stayed there several years ago and we loved it! Clean, clean, clean, great breakfast, afternoon little surprise treats and hosts that go above and beyond!

LuvToRoam, tedgale's apartment in this trip report has a terrace, lift and looks pretty nice.

Tedgale, you mention the ease of taking a bus on Appia Antica. We hope to get to the Fosse Ardeatine and San Callisto catacombs in one shot, so I hope it really is easy!

Looks like you're not parting with your restaurants of choice for your 2 nights~ not to worry...I promise not to stalk.

Point on consistency noted. Also, after several days in Venice pre-cruise, we found the best Gelato . . .
. . . on Mykonos!!!! Seriously! Just to the left of the Delos cruise ticket office on Mykonos is a little gelato stand and on the day we were there, they had awesome gelato. One can reasonably speculate that I was a victim of the above mentioned Venetian inconsistency.

Tedgale: Glad this report is still "alive" It is so good in all respects. You're one of the greats!

Thanks Taconic.
RE our 2 dinners in Rome: We'll probably head back one night to the tried-and-true Osteria del Pegno or to one of the other small restaurants in that Navona 'hood. If I were around the Palazzo Farnese, I'd probably go to the Ghetto (Da Giggetto??) or perhaps -- to splash out -- Pierluigi, where I've never yet eaten....

Heading to the airport in a few minutes. Pegno is on our list~
In the ghetto we have tried Da Giggetto and Taverna del Ghetto. Maybe give Piperno a try this time.
Have a great trip!