Greetings. I'm seeking a nice-casual restaurant "near" the Spanish Steps for dinner on Friday (9/8). I've tried to make a reservation at a favorite, but it's booked due to a "white nights" festival (??).

Any suggestions? Four people, two couples, arriving Rome that morning via redeye from JFK, so looking for semi-early dinner (7-8pm).

Thanks

We liked Rampa Restaurant at the bottom of The Spanish Steps on the right side. Had spinach pasta, fried artichokes and zucchini. A very good value and good food.
No reservations taken so arrive early.

Only a few blocks away is La Matricianella, a classic Roman trattoria. Warm, friendly ambience and a nicely vaired menu. We didn't have the fish, but other diners were raving about it. In the nearby square, there's a good gelato shop that stays open late.

If you do a Google search, you'll find several reviews:
La Matricianella
Via del Leone 2/4 Campo Marzio
39 06 683 2100

We ate there our first night in Rome and thoroughly enjoyed it.

PS: Our favorite resaurant was a little place near the Pantheon. Facing the building, take the street to your left called something-Sagristia. La Sagristia restaurant is about 5 doors up on the right. Best margarita pizza of the trip!

Gekko, your first night in Rome will be La Notte Bianca (The White Night)!

This event means that all of Rome will be open all night long. Many many festivals, dance groups, plays, etc. museums will be open, restaurants, cafes will be open all night long until the next morning. Thousands and thousands of people will attend this night long event. Public transporation is free all night.
It is a night long party Roman style!

Now I don't know if that will please you or not. It would me.

If I were you four I would try to get the hotel rooms as early as possible and try to sleep as long as possible because unless your hotel in in some out of the way place I think you will hear a lot of noise all night long. So my thinking would be to try to sleep as much as possible during the day and than go out and join the crowds. Sort of like if you can't beat them join them!

Here is the official website that you can review to get a better idea what La Notte Bianca is all about. http://www.lanottebianca.it You can click on for the English version.

I seriously doubt that you will be able to plan dinner at any specific restaurant due to the festivities. I think you will just have to grab a table whereever you can.

I don't know if this is good news or bad news for you but at least you will now know what to expect.

Wow, thanks for the great information. Ordinarily I'd be thrilled ... I'm a New Yorker and can party til dawn ... but I'm on a redeye from JFK, arriving that morning.

Maybe we'll sleep for a few hours in the afternoon and then join the revelry.

Sounds like dinner will have to be impromptu!

Thanks again

Well Gekko I am glad you are a New Yorker, I didn't know. I was worried you were perhaps from some little town in some quiet area, lol.

I am going to start a thread to alert other Fodorites that are going to be in Rome that night as to what to expect so they won't be shocked

Have a drink for me!!! I imagine you will all be ready for a long siesta on Sunday. But enjoy, not an every day or in this case night event. And don't forget to give us a report.