Can anyone recommend a nice restaurant for a birthday celebration in Rome? I'm looking for good food, wine and nice ambiance in the $30 range. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The TARTARUGA completely rocks! Via del Monte della Farina, 53: tel. 06/6869473

I was there a few weeks ago on recommendations from this forum and it was a truly memorable eating experience. Before tip, out bill came to about 85 Euro for two, but we each had apps, pasta and a meat, espresso and shared a bottle of wine.
Excellent food, friendly service, and not crowded--all in a romantic atmosphere.

This restaurant is worth every penny.

We enjoyed Tullio's. It's located just off Piazza Barbarini and is definitely a local favorite. The food is fabulous and reasonable. Reservations are necessary.

I too am a member of the
La Tartaruga fan club
never done that anywhere before. It was a recommendation from the Fodors message board. The address is a small street that starts next to the church of St Andrea della Valle, immediately south of Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle, near the Pantheon/Piazza Navona area. What a great little restaurant! It is family-run, and the same family owns a farm in Tuscany where they produce their own olive oil and wine vinegar.

Have the mandarin sorbetto for dessert, if they have it.

sorry about the extra words, I cut and pasted from a Word document and was sloppy about it

Thanks for the info.

La Carbonara in Campo de Fiori has the best pasta carbonara in Rome as legend has it. Fun place for a party.

I retract above statement. The carbonara at La Carbonara is to be skipped.