Springbreak week in Italy
 

2 U.S. college guys, who love to eat, are off to see Rome and surrounding areas next month for 7 days. First timers. In search of great moderately-priced places to eat. Want more than pizza.

There are really so many restaurants to choose from that it's hard to pinpoint one or two good ones! If you're looking for reasonably priced restaurants where you can sit and people-watch while eating (or where you can meet people), you can't go wrong with the Piazza Navona area.

Osteria La Carbonara at Campo dei Fiori.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

There are many places around Piazza Navona, some good, some not so good but they survive by being where the tourists are. Restaurants on the Piazza Navona itself are very mediocre and very overpriced. It is nice to sit there and have coffee or a drink before or after dinner however. Some places to try near the Piazza Navona are Pizzeria Da Baffetto on Via Governo Vecchio (the best pizza in Rome, go early or wait in a long line); Osteria da Ada on Via Banchi Nouvi, and Cul de Sac on Piazza de Pasquino. Dar Pallaro on Largo di Pallaro near Campo di Fiore is a mom and pop place that serves great food (many filling courses) for about 20 Euro per person, including water and wine. Also nearby in the Largo di Librari is Filettaro da Santa Barbara. Only open in the evenings and it serves pretty much only deep fried cod (baccala)and some great roast potatoes for under 10 Euro per person. If you see a vendor with a cart selling &quot;porchetta&quot; don't miss that. It's a delicious roast port sandwich--moist tender meat with a salty crunchy layer of skin served on a bun. These vendors are more easily found in the Trastevere and Testaccio neighborhoods.

Sorry about the typo. I meant roast pork.

For Grinsia,<BR>thanks for the explanation of the food! I had read to have a Porscheta in San Gimi on Market day, but I had no idea what it was.<BR><BR>But what I'm really replying for is to ask you if you know any places (ANY kind of good food) close to the Esquilino Hill area? We are staying at (off the beaten bath oh yes)Domus Sessoriana which is set inside the Basilica of the Holy Cross, at the bottom of the Esquilino Hill. <BR>My friend has made the reservations and said it is in a wonderfully historical place close to many monuments, but (blush) he didn't tell me where the good tratorias are! (Or where the public transportation is) If you know this area, I would appreciate any information AT ALL!

Do you mean the church of Santa Croce en Gerusaleme? If so, you are in luck, because on many mornings, there is a small market set up directly to the right (as you face the church) with vendors selling Porchetta sandwiches. Also, very nearby in the San Lorenzo area (there is a tram that will take you there from Santa Croce) is one of my favorite places to eat in Rome, Tram Tram. Great food at reasonable prices. Try the abbachio scottadito (grilled baby lamb chops) that I still dream about. The San Lorenzo area has many great undiscovered places that are fairly reasonable because it is a traditional working class neighborhood and also close to the University.

Hey Grinsia,<BR>Thank you SO MUCH for the information! I had about given up trying to get information about the Domus Sessoriana. All my searches just brought up the name in a list of hotels. <BR>Tram Tram sounds very good and especially with a tram that will take us there. <BR>so good to know about a market closeby. We are arriving on 8 march - now if I can just figure out what the weather will likely be. I guess I am safe just to plan to layer<BR>thanks again! and I'll look for those baby lamb chops. (yum)