I'm taking my wife to Rome in June for her 50th birthday.(She knows nothing about it!) I have booked the Hotel San Carlo near the Spanish Steps. Any tips or advice would be welcome, especially good eating places off the beaten track that are not expensive. Also music, jazz clubs etc.<BR><BR>Archie, East Sussex, England

Archie, if your wife doesn't adore you now, she surely will by the time she turns 50!<BR><BR>My restaurant recommendation is the Buca di Ripetta at 36 via di Ripetta. It's a small place, but has good food, great service, and is frequented by the locals. (The day I dined there, I was the only non-Italian in the place!) You will be able to find a lot of places that are small and affordable just by walking around the neighborhood, and recommendations by the locals are always good.<BR><BR>I'm also staying at the same hotel, arriving this Tuesday, and will return at the end of the month. I'll be posting a trip report, so I'll let you know how it was, but between the recommendations on the &quot;Rants &amp; Raves&quot; section and the friendly attitude on the telephone, I've received a very good impression so far.<BR><BR>Buon Viaggio (e buon compleanno a Sua moglie),<BR>BC

This is for Bookchick...Can you please tell me where Via Rippetta is located? I cant remenber, perphas is off Via Nazionale? I am going to Rome in june and could use a good, affordable restaurant off the tourists course.. thanks.....

Via Ripetta runs off the Piazza del Popolo, parralel to Via del corso

Thanks Bookchick, have a good trip. I look forward to reading your review!<BR>Archie

Check out this map. The restaurant is quite near Piazza del Popolo, and via di Ripetta runs parallel to via del Corso.<BR><BR>http://www.romanholidays.com/b1.htm

Thanks Moonbeam and Bookchick for the information!!! My hotel is off Via del Corso also..