Rome restaurant in ruins?
Mar 20th, 2006, 05:56 AM
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Rome restaurant in ruins?
There was some discussion a while back about a restaurant in Rome that was built among ancient ruins. I neglected to make note of this and will be in Rome next week and would love to find this restaurant.
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:13 AM
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Actually Da Pancrazio doesn't sound anything like what nini is referring to. There are some remnants of the old theatre you can see if you go down into the basement of Pancrazio (one of my favorite restaurants, by the way), but it wouldn't give you the feeling of eating among the ruins.
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:18 AM
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If you say so, Neopolitan. I've never eaten there, since my Access Rome guide book says, "Don't expect the food to be much in this heavily trafficked tourist mecca." I prefer restaurants where locals eat...
Do any of the restaurants - that actually exist - mentioned in this thread seem to you more like what Nini is looking for?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34608730
Do any of the restaurants - that actually exist - mentioned in this thread seem to you more like what Nini is looking for?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34608730
Mar 20th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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What a funny review. We sought out and discovered Pancrazio a number of years ago recommended by my Italian barber who used to live in Rome. I have since seen it listed in several guidebooks (not many) but only to rave about it. Frommers for example added it a couple of years ago and cites the food as being excellently prepared, which has always been our take on it. Hadn't seen that Access report. Meanwhile we usually seem to be the only non-locals there. It is very popular with locals for special celebrations like birthdays. I don't think I've ever beent there when there wasn't some sort of private party going on.
The one drawback is that yes, a number of tourists seek it out and wander in to go look at the ruins in the basement, but few of them stay to eat. It is not a cheap restaurant. Many guidebooks point out the ruins of the theatre you can see in the basement, but few seem to mention it as a restaurant -- it is hardly a tourist trap!
The one drawback is that yes, a number of tourists seek it out and wander in to go look at the ruins in the basement, but few of them stay to eat. It is not a cheap restaurant. Many guidebooks point out the ruins of the theatre you can see in the basement, but few seem to mention it as a restaurant -- it is hardly a tourist trap!
Mar 20th, 2006, 11:32 AM
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There is a restaurant near Termini that is actually in an intact Roman ruin.
I didn't eat there but I checked out the prices. Which were reasonable, alittle higher than Termini-area restaurants but cheaper than a centrally located restaurant.
It is on Via Viminale near the corner or cross-street Via G. Amendola (the present day photo below is taken from that corner) and very hard to miss.
[I snipped this from a past post]
http://classics.furman.edu/~rprior/imgs/RCU5/5-097.jpg (the train station would be off to the left).
See the semi-circular Exedra; Present day bldgs still follow this line in the Piazza d. Repubblica.
Now notice the 2 small circular bldgs to the left and right of the Exedra in the far 2 corners of the Bath complex.
These are round pavilions which can be seen today.
The best one meaning more original is on Via Viminale and houses a restaurant
http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
The other one has been built over and is a church in the Piazza S. Bernardo
www.romeartlover.it/Vas127bf.jpg
Regards, Walter
I didn't eat there but I checked out the prices. Which were reasonable, alittle higher than Termini-area restaurants but cheaper than a centrally located restaurant.
It is on Via Viminale near the corner or cross-street Via G. Amendola (the present day photo below is taken from that corner) and very hard to miss.
[I snipped this from a past post]
http://classics.furman.edu/~rprior/imgs/RCU5/5-097.jpg (the train station would be off to the left).
See the semi-circular Exedra; Present day bldgs still follow this line in the Piazza d. Repubblica.
Now notice the 2 small circular bldgs to the left and right of the Exedra in the far 2 corners of the Bath complex.
These are round pavilions which can be seen today.
The best one meaning more original is on Via Viminale and houses a restaurant
http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
The other one has been built over and is a church in the Piazza S. Bernardo
www.romeartlover.it/Vas127bf.jpg
Regards, Walter
Mar 20th, 2006, 11:38 AM
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I don't know what happened to that link but the URL is valid if you 'cut and paste' it.
But let me try again.
http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
OR
www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
But let me try again.
http://www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
OR
www2.siba.fi/~kkoskim/rooma/pages/167_029B.HTM
Apr 21st, 2006, 04:41 AM
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thought I'd mention - my HV Morton book "A Traveller in Rome" states that Pompey's Theatre is actually where Julius Caesar was murdered, not the Senate. He goes into detail about the closest locale to it. That restaurant is pretty close. (the original site is far underground by now...)
Apr 21st, 2006, 04:51 AM
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flygirl, the restaurant is indeed above the site of the theatre, but if you go inside and then go down the stone steps into what is now the cellar, you do in fact see remnants of the actual theatre. You will be standing very close to the spot where they believed he was murdered. I'm not sure how much further underground than the cellar that Morton book thinks the theatre was.
Apr 21st, 2006, 05:54 AM
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There is also a restaurant in Tivoli, it's called Antico Ristorante Sibilla, and their back garden looks out onto some ruins that are very close by. From the front, on the street, the restaurant looks small, but once you're inside you can see how large it is, and the area with garden seating is also a good size. The food there is wonderful, so if you're planning on seeing Villa d'Este or Hadrian's Villa, stop for lunch or dinner. The address is Via della Sibilla 50.
Buon Viaggio,
BC
Buon Viaggio,
BC
Apr 21st, 2006, 06:05 AM
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Besides Pankrazio, there is Costanza. It doesn't look so from the outside, but the cellar is right in the ruins of the Pompeus Theater. And the food is good.
See:
http://www.menudiroma.com/ita/Scheda...istorante=1838
See:
http://www.menudiroma.com/ita/Scheda...istorante=1838
May 13th, 2006, 09:55 AM
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flygirl; Who are you going to believe HV Morton or me 
.
He is wrong though, the Senate met in an annex bldg later called the Curia Pompey and not in the actual Theater (of Pompey).
I'm certain the Roman Senate would *never* consider meeting in a theater.
Actually in that period when it was built they wouldn't even allow anything but temporary (usually wooden) theaters to be build.
Pompey got around this law by putting a Temple of Venus on top of his theater plus he was Pompey the Great.
I just got back from Rome and I ate in that restaurant I mention above 3x.
I'm not a foodie or a winey but I thought the food was very good, it was the best steak I've ever had in Rome.
And the House wine is a corked bottle for 10e which I enjoyed.
The ancient Pavillion bldg that the restaurant is located in is round. A passageway for cars was cut thru the middle that leads into a large courtyard private parking area.
So on the ground floor the restaurant occupies ~half of the bldg. This section seats ~36 people comfortably.
The 2nd floor (20 steps) takes up the complete bldg and seats ~100.
You can see large sections of the ancient brickwork and where it has been modernly remodeled in the interior it is done in an ancient style.
Like the doors and archways have a brick arch over them. And along the walls there is a concrete band ===== that protects the walls from the table and chairs (wainscoating) with leaves and flowers in an ancient style.
And the sinks in the w.c. are like ancient clay basins.
There is also a diagram of the 'Baths of Diocletian' and info on the wall of this site as soon as you enter.
There is also a roof garden on the 2nd floor for outside dining, this is within the courtyard so no views except of the stars above.
The service was *very* friendly by everyone and I mean exceptional!
They also had a singer with a guitar (free) to liven things up.
Their prices were great, I was only paying ~5e more than what I was paying in average restaurants where I was staying near the Roman Forum.
I had their most expensive steak fillet (15E), a pasta dish, bottle of wine, large bottle of water, bread and 10% service charge which all came to 40e.
Meat dishes; 10-15e
Pasta dishes; 8-15e (half under 10e)
Fish; 15e
Soup; 5-8e
Hors d'oeuvre; 8-12e
Bottled 750ml House Wine; 10e.
It's called the Ristorante 'Terme di Diocleziano' on 'Via del Viminale 3/A'.
Telephone; 06.4742184 or 06.4872120
FAX; 06.48903083
They opened at 7PM the Friday I went there but I'm certain they were open just after 6PM when I went there in mid-week.
One night a large group (~40-50) arrived (not a bus tour group) and went upstairs, so I assume you can also book the 2nd floor.
Casual dress is fine, I was in jeans everytime.
Regards, Walter
.He is wrong though, the Senate met in an annex bldg later called the Curia Pompey and not in the actual Theater (of Pompey).
I'm certain the Roman Senate would *never* consider meeting in a theater.
Actually in that period when it was built they wouldn't even allow anything but temporary (usually wooden) theaters to be build.
Pompey got around this law by putting a Temple of Venus on top of his theater plus he was Pompey the Great
.I just got back from Rome and I ate in that restaurant I mention above 3x.
I'm not a foodie or a winey
but I thought the food was very good, it was the best steak I've ever had in Rome. And the House wine is a corked bottle for 10e which I enjoyed.
The ancient Pavillion bldg that the restaurant is located in is round. A passageway for cars was cut thru the middle that leads into a large courtyard private parking area.
So on the ground floor the restaurant occupies ~half of the bldg. This section seats ~36 people comfortably.
The 2nd floor (20 steps) takes up the complete bldg and seats ~100.
You can see large sections of the ancient brickwork and where it has been modernly remodeled in the interior it is done in an ancient style.
Like the doors and archways have a brick arch over them. And along the walls there is a concrete band ===== that protects the walls from the table and chairs (wainscoating) with leaves and flowers in an ancient style.
And the sinks in the w.c. are like ancient clay basins.
There is also a diagram of the 'Baths of Diocletian' and info on the wall of this site as soon as you enter.
There is also a roof garden on the 2nd floor for outside dining, this is within the courtyard so no views except of the stars above.
The service was *very* friendly by everyone and I mean exceptional!
They also had a singer with a guitar (free) to liven things up.
Their prices were great, I was only paying ~5e more than what I was paying in average restaurants where I was staying near the Roman Forum.
I had their most expensive steak fillet (15E), a pasta dish, bottle of wine, large bottle of water, bread and 10% service charge which all came to 40e.
Meat dishes; 10-15e
Pasta dishes; 8-15e (half under 10e)
Fish; 15e
Soup; 5-8e
Hors d'oeuvre; 8-12e
Bottled 750ml House Wine; 10e.
It's called the Ristorante 'Terme di Diocleziano' on 'Via del Viminale 3/A'.
Telephone; 06.4742184 or 06.4872120
FAX; 06.48903083
They opened at 7PM the Friday I went there but I'm certain they were open just after 6PM when I went there in mid-week.
One night a large group (~40-50) arrived (not a bus tour group) and went upstairs, so I assume you can also book the 2nd floor.
Casual dress is fine, I was in jeans everytime.
Regards, Walter
May 13th, 2006, 11:11 AM
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From Wikpeida Encyclopedia (numerous similar references can also be found):
"Julius Caesar was killed in the large portico attached to the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March, 44 BC.
The remains of the east side of the Portico attached to the theatre can be seen on the Largo di Torre Argentina. The scarce remains of the theatre itself can be found off the Via di Grotta Pinta underground; vaults from the original theatre can be found in the cellar rooms of restaurants off this street, as well as in the walls of the hotel Albergo Sole al Biscione."
"Julius Caesar was killed in the large portico attached to the Theatre of Pompey on the Ides of March, 44 BC.
The remains of the east side of the Portico attached to the theatre can be seen on the Largo di Torre Argentina. The scarce remains of the theatre itself can be found off the Via di Grotta Pinta underground; vaults from the original theatre can be found in the cellar rooms of restaurants off this street, as well as in the walls of the hotel Albergo Sole al Biscione."
May 13th, 2006, 12:40 PM
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Wikipedia has it wrong; "Julius Caesar was killed in the large portico attached to the Theatre of Pompey..."
He wasn't killed in the "large portico", he was killed in annex building (Curia Pompey) that was attached to the theater's portico.
Afterwards Octavian (Emperor Augustus) ordered the 'Statue of Pompey' removed and placed in the Theater and the Curia Pompey sealed-up.
Also the Senate wasn't allowed to met again on the 'Ides of March'.
The theater and the portico remained open.
www.vroma.org/images/raia_images/pompeyrecon.GIF The Curia Pompey is the bldg in the upper center with the portico attached to each side ====[x]==== and the 4 Temples in the Largo di Torre Argentina above it.
Regards, Walter
He wasn't killed in the "large portico", he was killed in annex building (Curia Pompey) that was attached to the theater's portico.
Afterwards Octavian (Emperor Augustus) ordered the 'Statue of Pompey' removed and placed in the Theater and the Curia Pompey sealed-up.
Also the Senate wasn't allowed to met again on the 'Ides of March'.
The theater and the portico remained open.
www.vroma.org/images/raia_images/pompeyrecon.GIF The Curia Pompey is the bldg in the upper center with the portico attached to each side ====[x]==== and the 4 Temples in the Largo di Torre Argentina above it.
Regards, Walter
May 13th, 2006, 01:15 PM
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I trust Walter's information.
There is a lot a misinformation given out about Caesar's slaying. When we were on guided tour a few years ago in Rome, our guide (who was a college professor) stated that killing took place in the Forum, which, of course, is wrong.
There is a lot a misinformation given out about Caesar's slaying. When we were on guided tour a few years ago in Rome, our guide (who was a college professor) stated that killing took place in the Forum, which, of course, is wrong.
