Fodor's Expert Review Vecchia Roma

Though the frescoed dining rooms are lovely, when the weather is good the choice place to dine is outside on the piazza, under the big white umbrellas, in the shadow of Santa Maria in Campitelli. Seafood is the specialty, and simple southern Italian preparations, such as grilled calamari with Sicilian tomatoes, are excellent no-fail choices. For appetizers, the seafood selection may include an assortment of fresh anchovies in vinegary goodness, seafood salad, or baby shrimp. Chef Raffaella generally doles out large portions, so share one of her wonderful pasta dishes or skip straight to the secondo. Homemade fruit desserts provide a light(ish) finish to the meal.