Rome restaurant suggestions??
Feb 22nd, 2008, 06:55 PM
#21
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Our favorite meal in Rome was at Armando al Pantheon. Everything was delicious.
My son and I had a wonderful meal at Da Baffeto one evening. Lots of locals out for pizza with their families.
We also enjoyed
I Fratellini
Osteria Pizzeria
Just off Piazza Navona
On the corner of
Via Tor Millina 17/a-18
Angolo Via S. Maria dell'Anima
A nice choice for Pasta, Grilled Vegetable Antipasti (yum!) and dessert. We had a wonderful woman wait on us and ate here for our last two dinners in Rome.
Mar 24th, 2008, 09:09 AM
#24
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One more vote for Cul de Sac, near the Piazza Navona. Excellent food at excellent prices- we went back again and again . . . Try anything with BURRATA (magical soft cheese that you can really only get in Italy)
Mar 24th, 2008, 09:48 AM
#25
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I give you a short list that is a fall-out of my stay in Rome last month for one week.
The first one is very nice but, you have to know, there is almost no wine; you should drink beer. The name is BIR & FUD that is the way we could write these two American words as we pronounce in Italian.
The location is charming, in Trastevere, behind Piazza Trilussa.
The second one is in San Lorenzo, not far from Stazione Termini. Its name is CRIBBIO! and the clients are local, few tourists.
A third one is in Testaccio, DA FELICE.
Then, in the center of Rome, close to Piazza di Spagna, I suggest HOSTARIA AL 31 in via delle Carrozze.
Then, a wine bar very nice in the center of Rome: VINO GARAGE.
IMO there five are among the best choices of restaurants of Rome if the criteria is the excellent rate between price and quality.
Vincenzo
The first one is very nice but, you have to know, there is almost no wine; you should drink beer. The name is BIR & FUD that is the way we could write these two American words as we pronounce in Italian.
The location is charming, in Trastevere, behind Piazza Trilussa.
The second one is in San Lorenzo, not far from Stazione Termini. Its name is CRIBBIO! and the clients are local, few tourists.
A third one is in Testaccio, DA FELICE.
Then, in the center of Rome, close to Piazza di Spagna, I suggest HOSTARIA AL 31 in via delle Carrozze.
Then, a wine bar very nice in the center of Rome: VINO GARAGE.
IMO there five are among the best choices of restaurants of Rome if the criteria is the excellent rate between price and quality.
Vincenzo
Mar 24th, 2008, 10:24 AM
#26
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We loved Armando al Pantheon. It's true that their food isn't particularly exciting or unique (it's fairly traditional roman) but it is brilliantly executed (and isn't that what you want after all) and uses seasonal ingredients. Their artichoke alla romana is inspiring.
We thought the pizza at Da Baffeto II was excellent and there were a lot of locals eating there, so I disagree with the reviewer above. However, overall, the pizza in Italy didn't blow me away like the pasta and other dishes did.
We also loved Pierluigi. Their white truffle pasta was heavenly, and their eggplant parmigiana was unique and flavorful. Plus, they have lovely outdoor seating away from the crowds.
Loved Blue Ice gelato. I know that it's a chain, but their gelato is incredible.
On the other hand, the food at Ditirambo, though unusual and interesting, was horribly executed and tasteless. We had a pasta dish with porcini mushrooms that was completely tasteless --- I don't know how that's possible given the intrinsic flavor of porcinis. We heard the Italians next to us complaining about the same dish and loading on salt and pepper (only time I saw that happen in Italy). The service at Ditirambo was horrid and inattentive --- we are very patient and waited for over thirty minutes after dessert before finally asking for our check. We had to ask for our check three times before we finally got it. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone --- ties with Antico Dolo in Venice for our worst restaurant experience in Italy.
BTW, about Florence, I would not recommend Il Sasso di Dante. It's not bad but not great, either --- just a fairly mediocre meal at a reasonable price. Our favorite meal in Florence was at a restaurant recommended by our hotel, which I have not seen recommended on these boards, La Cipolla Rossa. Excellent food in a pretty atmosphere.
We thought the pizza at Da Baffeto II was excellent and there were a lot of locals eating there, so I disagree with the reviewer above. However, overall, the pizza in Italy didn't blow me away like the pasta and other dishes did.
We also loved Pierluigi. Their white truffle pasta was heavenly, and their eggplant parmigiana was unique and flavorful. Plus, they have lovely outdoor seating away from the crowds.
Loved Blue Ice gelato. I know that it's a chain, but their gelato is incredible.
On the other hand, the food at Ditirambo, though unusual and interesting, was horribly executed and tasteless. We had a pasta dish with porcini mushrooms that was completely tasteless --- I don't know how that's possible given the intrinsic flavor of porcinis. We heard the Italians next to us complaining about the same dish and loading on salt and pepper (only time I saw that happen in Italy). The service at Ditirambo was horrid and inattentive --- we are very patient and waited for over thirty minutes after dessert before finally asking for our check. We had to ask for our check three times before we finally got it. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone --- ties with Antico Dolo in Venice for our worst restaurant experience in Italy.
BTW, about Florence, I would not recommend Il Sasso di Dante. It's not bad but not great, either --- just a fairly mediocre meal at a reasonable price. Our favorite meal in Florence was at a restaurant recommended by our hotel, which I have not seen recommended on these boards, La Cipolla Rossa. Excellent food in a pretty atmosphere.
Mar 25th, 2008, 01:40 AM
#28
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We ate at Da Vito e Dina near the VAtican last year. A friend who is a former Catholic priest and visits Rome often picked the restaurant and we were welcomed warmly by Vito. It is a simple trattoria with good food at reasonable prices. See this review from the LA Times
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-rome25apr25
http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-rome25apr25
Mar 26th, 2008, 08:19 AM
#30
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Here are my notes on two restaurants I'd recommend in Rome, including Il Matriciano:
"Later, for dinner, we headed back toward a restaurant where my daughter had eaten earlier that semester. It’s very casual and good, called the Maccheroni Ristorante at Piazza delle Coppelle, 44, phone 06 68307895. It’s very popular with locals and gets very busy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively and interesting. About 47 EUR for two, with one-half liter of house wine.. . .
We had reservations to meet my daughter’s friend for dinner at 9:00. He had studied in Rome that semester and recommended his favorite restaurant in the neighborhood where he’d lived, called Il Matriciano, on Via dei Gracchi, 49- 61. (Reservations advised—phone 063213040, or 063212327) It’s perfect for a more special dinner, but certainly not over-the-top. For three people dining, we paid just 103 EUR, which included a liter of house wine. We shared two appetizers, and two of us had veal dishes, one had just spaghetti. We each enjoyed coffee and dessert. It is a very, very friendly and pleasant place. We completely enjoyed it."
Here are my notes on Florence, including Acqua al Duo. I'd recommend Garga over that one, though. Za Za was ok for lunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.
"The afternoon we arrived, my daughter took me to a rooftop café, which overlooks the Duomo. It is on the top of a nice little ‘department’ store. I think it’s called Ristorante Ottorino, via delle Oche, 12-16r. We enjoyed wine and salads, on the sunny afternoon, with a close-up view of the Duomo. A very nice introduction to Florence for me.. . .
That evening, my daughter recommended one of her favorite restaurants, the Trattoria Garga on Via del Moro 48/R, phone 055 2398898. We had an amazing meal there, probably my best in Italy. My dish was veal with avocado, which sounds odd (most really good dishes do, I think), and was mouth-watering. Our waiter was a riot-- singing and joking all over the restaurant. It was a friendly, lively, bustling atmosphere with excellent food. We paid 81EUR for two, with a half-liter of house wine.. . .
We returned to our hotel, to get ready for dinner, again at one of my daughter’s favorite restaurants, Acqua Al 2 (pronounced 'aqua al duo'), Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40/R, phone 055 284170. They are known for their perfect steak with balsamic. I had it and was impressed. (They are now opening a restaurant in San Diego, believe it or not.) This restaurant is known throughout Florence, and is very popular, so it gets loud and crowded, but very worth it, even though the service was a tad spotty. We split a half-liter of house red wine, and we paid 50.70EUR for two dining.. . .
After the Accademia, we found a place to sit on the patio and enjoy a nice lunch, at Trattoria Za-Za, at Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26R. It's popular with business people, and we enjoyed nice omelettes there. Lunch for two, with a glass of wine for each, was 25.50EUR."
Enjoy lovely Italy!
>-
"
"Later, for dinner, we headed back toward a restaurant where my daughter had eaten earlier that semester. It’s very casual and good, called the Maccheroni Ristorante at Piazza delle Coppelle, 44, phone 06 68307895. It’s very popular with locals and gets very busy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively and interesting. About 47 EUR for two, with one-half liter of house wine.. . .
We had reservations to meet my daughter’s friend for dinner at 9:00. He had studied in Rome that semester and recommended his favorite restaurant in the neighborhood where he’d lived, called Il Matriciano, on Via dei Gracchi, 49- 61. (Reservations advised—phone 063213040, or 063212327) It’s perfect for a more special dinner, but certainly not over-the-top. For three people dining, we paid just 103 EUR, which included a liter of house wine. We shared two appetizers, and two of us had veal dishes, one had just spaghetti. We each enjoyed coffee and dessert. It is a very, very friendly and pleasant place. We completely enjoyed it."
Here are my notes on Florence, including Acqua al Duo. I'd recommend Garga over that one, though. Za Za was ok for lunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.
"The afternoon we arrived, my daughter took me to a rooftop café, which overlooks the Duomo. It is on the top of a nice little ‘department’ store. I think it’s called Ristorante Ottorino, via delle Oche, 12-16r. We enjoyed wine and salads, on the sunny afternoon, with a close-up view of the Duomo. A very nice introduction to Florence for me.. . .
That evening, my daughter recommended one of her favorite restaurants, the Trattoria Garga on Via del Moro 48/R, phone 055 2398898. We had an amazing meal there, probably my best in Italy. My dish was veal with avocado, which sounds odd (most really good dishes do, I think), and was mouth-watering. Our waiter was a riot-- singing and joking all over the restaurant. It was a friendly, lively, bustling atmosphere with excellent food. We paid 81EUR for two, with a half-liter of house wine.. . .
We returned to our hotel, to get ready for dinner, again at one of my daughter’s favorite restaurants, Acqua Al 2 (pronounced 'aqua al duo'), Via della Vigna Vecchia, 40/R, phone 055 284170. They are known for their perfect steak with balsamic. I had it and was impressed. (They are now opening a restaurant in San Diego, believe it or not.) This restaurant is known throughout Florence, and is very popular, so it gets loud and crowded, but very worth it, even though the service was a tad spotty. We split a half-liter of house red wine, and we paid 50.70EUR for two dining.. . .
After the Accademia, we found a place to sit on the patio and enjoy a nice lunch, at Trattoria Za-Za, at Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26R. It's popular with business people, and we enjoyed nice omelettes there. Lunch for two, with a glass of wine for each, was 25.50EUR."
Enjoy lovely Italy!
>-"
Mar 26th, 2008, 08:48 AM
#32
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Danon, I have no specific recommendations, but that is not a very heavily touristed area, so any restaurant is more likely to be frequented by locals than tourists and will probably offer good food at reasonable prices.
Mar 26th, 2008, 10:57 AM
#34
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Ttabb, a couple of quick thoughts on your list. I love Ditirambo, but it isn't very large and with five, you might find yourself a bit squashed.
Pierluigi is fantastic, but fairly formal and a bit pricey.
Cul de sac is a wonderful, wonderful wine bar. But it's essentially long and narrow, like a laundromat, with small tables lining either side. Might be hard to fit five people!
I really love La Sagrestia, which another poster mentioned. Just steps away from the Pantheon, it's actually three very large rooms, so lots of space. Inexpensive but a large, varied menu (which is good if your daughters like pizza and your mom doesn't)
And if you find yourself near the Ara Pacis/Piazza del Popolo, Gusto is a great complex. A great pizzeria on one side; cafe/bar on another; a wine bar on the second floor and a pricey restaurant tucked in there as well. Interesting to check out!
Pierluigi is fantastic, but fairly formal and a bit pricey.
Cul de sac is a wonderful, wonderful wine bar. But it's essentially long and narrow, like a laundromat, with small tables lining either side. Might be hard to fit five people!
I really love La Sagrestia, which another poster mentioned. Just steps away from the Pantheon, it's actually three very large rooms, so lots of space. Inexpensive but a large, varied menu (which is good if your daughters like pizza and your mom doesn't)
And if you find yourself near the Ara Pacis/Piazza del Popolo, Gusto is a great complex. A great pizzeria on one side; cafe/bar on another; a wine bar on the second floor and a pricey restaurant tucked in there as well. Interesting to check out!
Mar 27th, 2008, 06:02 PM
#37
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Ttabb,
Out of those you mention in Rome, I have only eaten at Da Pallero. It was good and fun!
Two I enjoyed much more were near my hotel near the Quirinale. Ristorante Schramburg on the street of the same name (where the Pasta Museum is located). Traditional Roman, dine outdoors in the cobblestone street, indoor (tiny) if cold weather. Had two fabulous meals here. I felt it was a moderate price.
Across the same tiny street, L'Arancia. Truly a locals place. Very reasonable.
Buon viaggio!
Out of those you mention in Rome, I have only eaten at Da Pallero. It was good and fun!
Two I enjoyed much more were near my hotel near the Quirinale. Ristorante Schramburg on the street of the same name (where the Pasta Museum is located). Traditional Roman, dine outdoors in the cobblestone street, indoor (tiny) if cold weather. Had two fabulous meals here. I felt it was a moderate price.
Across the same tiny street, L'Arancia. Truly a locals place. Very reasonable.
Buon viaggio!
Mar 31st, 2008, 04:51 PM
#40
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T:
I have been to Rome several times and when I am able to I make a point to eat at Da Giggetto on Via Alessandria, 43 ((T) 02-854-3490). This is a white table linen ristorante that serves the BEST wood fired oven 4 cheese pizza I have ever had. Besides their delicious pizza they have a scrumptous menu including home made gelato. Since you are traveling with teenagers who typically like pizza and ice cream I thought Da Giggetto was a perfect recommend. There's no doubt the place is special, I've never seen it uncrowded. My records indicate they are closed on Tuesday. Should you go have Bonifacio wait on you if possible. He's a true pro; tell him his friend from Jacksonville Florida says hello.
My wife and I will be visiting Rome in September; we'll be grabbing a pizza at Da Giggetto for sure.
Best wishes.
I have been to Rome several times and when I am able to I make a point to eat at Da Giggetto on Via Alessandria, 43 ((T) 02-854-3490). This is a white table linen ristorante that serves the BEST wood fired oven 4 cheese pizza I have ever had. Besides their delicious pizza they have a scrumptous menu including home made gelato. Since you are traveling with teenagers who typically like pizza and ice cream I thought Da Giggetto was a perfect recommend. There's no doubt the place is special, I've never seen it uncrowded. My records indicate they are closed on Tuesday. Should you go have Bonifacio wait on you if possible. He's a true pro; tell him his friend from Jacksonville Florida says hello.
My wife and I will be visiting Rome in September; we'll be grabbing a pizza at Da Giggetto for sure.
Best wishes.
