Now that the itinerary is done for most of the top picks for Rome...should we start listing some restaurant suggestions?
I've written down a few, and we have some that came with one of the maps we have.
My husband and I love good, good authentic food, but don't want to be stuck in an overpriced tourist spot. Pr-fixed places would be awesome too! So we could have a chef tasting and sample different things...
Should we ask around here? Our hotel? Or just play it by ear as we go along??
Suggestions?
The only thing that's a little overwhelming, are the street names and directions, since we're not familiar with Rome yet.

Thanks in advance! Sooo excited! 14 more days!

Samantha

PS...thanks everyone for all the help!

Do a search here for Rome restaurants and you will get more information than you know what to do with!

As far as not being familiar with Rome, several other Fodorites and I have all recommended that you get a Rome map. A lot of your questions have to do with where things are located, and it would certainly help you if you would get the map. I highly recommend Streetwise Rome, available at any Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and probably other bookstores. I have to have one before I even reserve a hotel, because I want to know exactly where that hotel is located in relation to what I will want to see.

If you read about restaurants and still have more questions, feel free to ask! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I recommend doing some research if you really care about the food. There are tons of convenient touristy restaurants in Rome near the big sights that serve pretty forgettable food. If you get recommendations and plan ahead you can avoid these places.

Samantha,
The Streetwise map referred to above are the same folks who make the Artwise map I suggested to you.

The formats are the same, but for Rome I prefer the Artwise version and suggested it to you because it specifically and very clearly identifies all churches, monuments, galleries and places of interest.

As noted on other posts, a general rule is if you avoid eating right next to a "sight" you'll avoid overpriced and tourist-y. The more understated the exterior and further off main streets, the more likely it is to be a local favorite.

If you got yourself one of the DK guides suggested they also have restaurants listed.

Playing by ear is always fun, too, and one of the primary reasons for staying centrally-located in a residential neighborhood. Just go out and walk around and when you smell something good and see locals heading inside, inquire.

Samantha:

You'll find plenty of good recommendations on the search; the best one I found here when planning our family's trip last year was "just about anywhere along Via del Governo Vecchio" (just off Piazza Navona). You can click on my name and go to the bottom post for more specifics if you'd like.

Enjoy the trip!

The link to the NY Sun article on the ghetto I posted on one of your other threads has recommendations on restaurants in the ghetto area.

Here is another link to a New York Times article with restaurant recommendations near the major pilgrimmage churches
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...gewanted=print

One restaurant that sounded interesting to me and was recommended in several guide books is Ristorante del Pallaro
Largo del Pallaro near Campo di Fiori. It has a fixed price full menu only. (my son is a rather picky eater and I could not persuade him to go to a restaurant where he would not have a choice of food, so we never tried this. You could google the name for more information/reviews from others)

I would do research on line here, slowtravel, etc. and cut and paste into a file that you can take with you