Eating Out in Rome

Spaghetti alla Carbonara. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Aidan Fitzgerald


Italian Food...
What is it that makes Italian food so unique? Well, it's exceptionally varied and every area in Italy has its own specialties. The North tends to use more cream, butter and parmigiano cheese while the south prefer to use olive oil, dried pasta, mozzarella and pecorino (sheep milk) cheeses. The pizza bases in Rome are very thin while the Sicilian pizzas are much thicker.
Don't worry about making a mess, as it can be quite hard to eat gracefully when in Rome! No one cares if you've dribbles of spaghetti or toppings of floppy pizzas around your chin! Just be sure to dab it off when the meal is over!
Mealtimes...
Breakfast - the most important meal of the day? The Romans don't agree! It's not really a big thing in Rome but instead; they make lunch the main meal of the day. They normally keep breakfast light with your typical morning fare consisting of a cappuccino, some sort of sweet pastry or just a shot of espresso coffee. Breakfast usually isn't eaten at home; instead Romans pop into one of the many coffee shops that line the city's streets.
Romans see lunch as the big meal! A typical meal begins with an antipasto - this is a type of starter, which can be hot or cold.
Then you'll have a primo piatto, which is a first course. Rice, risotto, pasta or other carbohydrates are popular choices!
The secondo piatto is your second and main course, with meat or fish being the main constituent. It's said that veal, pork and chicken are the most popular among Rome's citizens. This second course is usually served with a side dish consisting of either vegetables or a salad and then fresh fruit. This side dish is called the contorno. Sometimes a light dessert is had after the secondo. The Italian word for dessert is dolce. The meal is brought to a close with a coffee - caffe - or a strong liqueur.
Dinner was never a big thing but now it's similar to lunches. It's never eaten before 8.30 and you'll often see people sitting down to a four course meal as late as eleven o clock!
Rome's specialities...
Most of us are familiar with the Italian specialities pizza, spaghetti alla carbonara and even lasagne. All of these have been adopted into the western world but only in Italy itself will you get the authentic taste of these! Be sure to enjoy pizza from one of Romes array of top pizzerias.
In Rome a wide range of recipes can be found. These are just a few popular ones that you'll see in original Italian restaurants. Veal escalopes with ham, 'saltimbocca'; the famous Roman tripe; as well as a delicious plate of roast lamb seasoned with rosemary and thyme, 'abbacchio alla romana'. Ham is eaten together with figs, and there is a wide choice of vegetables including peas, asparagus and artichokes
A typical Roman menu contains the essential bruschetta, which is grilled bread cut into finger sized slices and is marinated in fine olive oil and garlic. There are many classic pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, bucatini all'amatriciana and bucatini cacao e pepe. Choosing what you want from the restaurants menu will be the hardest decision. My advice is to go for something different, after all it's not everyday that you're in Rome!
Wine...
If your can't tell your chardonnay from your sauvignon blanc, I can't think of a better place to introduce yourself to wine than Rome. Italy has the best variety of Vino, ranging through nearly every colour, flavour and style imaginable. From well known Chiantis to rustic Pinot Grigio's, Italy's wine's are renowned to be the finest in the world.
For Italians themselves wine is food and no mealtime is complete without a glass of a fine white to accompany foul and fish, or maybe a sultry red to add to the flavour of a well seasoned pasta.
Italians waiters are among the finest in the world and will be glad to give you a taste of various wines before you choose which one you'd like to have to accompany your meal. And, if you're going to be really adventurous, why not enjoy a dessert of red wine and a selection of fine Italian cheeses, like Bel Paese, Gorgonzola and Romano.
Rome's best places to eat...
Wondering where to dine? Well Rome has loads of restaurants to choose form so you'll be spoilt for choice here!
If you see a place packed with locals, you know it'll be good, as the Italians love their food! You'll find a lot of restaurants are quite expensive, most commonly in the popular tourist areas like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. If you're on a budget, avoid these as they are over priced and the food is just as good in other areas of the city.
On the other hand, there are many decent and reasonably priced eateries near by. The most popular areas being Campo dei Fiori, Trastevere, Via di Tor Millina (you'll find it just off Piazza Navona) and Via del Goveno Vecchio.
Popular restaurants include the Papa Re restaurant located in the Trastevere area (it boasts genuine recipes from Rome) or Dar Poeta, who're renowned for their pizzas.
If your looking for a vegetarian option, Marguta Vegetarian Restaurant is extremely popular and it is located at the corner of the Via Margutta.
Prices...
If all you want is a tasty authentic pizza and a beer altogether it'll cost about �15.
If your dining Italian style, your typical three course meal can vary in price - it all depends on where you eat. At a midrange restaurant, a three course meal could cost about �30 and in a top restaurant the price ranges from �50 upwards.
Know before you go!
Tipping is not essential - it's your own choice but the least you can do is round up the bill. The Italians usually don't leave a tip but the tourists are expected to (about 5% of your bill in pizzerias and 10% in top restaurants).
Opening Hours in Rome...
The opening hours vary from restaurant to restaurant and waiting for a table is not unusual! The best way to get a table is by arriving before 8.30pm or later than 10pm.
Restaurants tend to open for dinner at about 9pm but in tourist's areas, doors' opening at 7pm is a common practice. Lunches are the main meal of the day and normally served from about 12.30pm to about 3pm.
Ready to dine in Rome...
So now you've read this article you should be ready to face Romes restaurants! A big part of your holiday in Rome will consist of consuming superb foods and gorgeous wine! Remember the most important thing is to choose foods you like to eat while embracing Roman tradition at the same time.
Whatever your individual interests are when visiting Rome; you're guaranteed to come across a restaurant that you'll love! Ciao!
Aidan writes for top travel and accommodation website PlacesToStay.com
Visit PlacesToStay.com to book a wide range of carefully selected hotels in Ireland, Europe and throughout the world at great value prices!
Heading to Rome soon? Then check out our Rome Hotels page for a comprehensive range of budget, mid range and luxury hotels in Rome.

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How to Do Rome in 48hrs

By Katy Hyslop


You've just arrived in Rome with a couple of days to kill. How is it possible to see all there is to see in such a short time? This is the guide to get the most out of Rome in the shortest amount of time.
19:00
Hopefully check in at the hotel has been fairly straightforward so now it is to venture out in search of a good meal. A meal in the old Trastevere part of the city has several benefits. Firstly there is a multitude of touristy type sidewalk restaurants and pizzerias to choose from and secondly they are within gentle strolling distance of several significant landmarks, including the well preserved Pantheon.
Rome is just as appealing by night as by day, with the heat of a Roman summer, night time walks may just save a few hours of excessive sweating during the day. Any of the little back streets between the Pantheon and the Spanish steps are perfectly placed to allow a generous meal of pasta and a good carafe of wine to be walked off quite easily.
21:00
Make your way to the Spanish steps to sit and hang out with the locals, while the view from the top of the steps in front of the church Trinita dei Monti offers a great view out over the city. Wander through to the Trevi Fountain and buy dessert in the form of a gelato and try your luck with the change. Throw one coin over your shoulder to come back, two coins to come back and get kissed or three coins to come back and be married.
22:00
Keep on walking through the streets until you reach Piazza Venezia, so named because of the Palazzo overlooking the piazza that resembles the Doges Palace in Venice. The balcony on the second floor may look familiar, it was the podium from which the dictator 'il duce' Mussolini delivered his fascist speeches. The other landmark overlooking the piazza is the unmistakable monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
This has earned several nicknames over the years including the Wedding Cake and the Typewriter. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies here under armed guard along with the eternal flame. If the monument is open there is a fantastic view over the Rome rooftops, a glimpse into the Roman Forum and the Colosseum behind it. This is closed at dusk but many of the ruins are lit up at night.
23:00.
If the night air has revived you there is the option of checking out the local night life as there are plenty of bars and clubs open around the central city area. Also there are some in other piazzas such as Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori that stay open until the early hours. Otherwise it's back to the hotel to get ready for tomorrow.
08:00
It pays to start early, particularly in the summer to beat the crowds and the temperatures but luckily the city is not too spread out to get from one sight to the next. The metro system is basic to use to say the least, there are only two metro lines that criss-cross the city and the buses are clearly marked with destinations. Termini is the central bus and metro terminal. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated in the yellow machines, starting from EUR1 for one journey.
No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Vatican. San Pietro is on the western side of the river Tiber with the dome of St Peter's visible from most parts of the city. The Vatican museum rooms are open from 8.45 in the morning until 4pm, with the last entry just before 3.30pm, during the busy summer months. It is open until 1pm on Saturdays and low season, while it is closed on Sundays and religious observances. You need plenty of time to walk through the 7km of museum rooms to reach the Sistine chapel where you can admire the detail and wonder at the creation on the ceiling by Michelangelo. It pays to have some sort of description of the frescoes handy to explain what you are looking at. The Pope gives his public address on Wednesday mornings at 11am.
13:00
If you are still hungry for more there is the vast interior of the Basilica itself, the crypt below and the view from the dome above down into the square. Now is probably a good time to find some lunch before taking on the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Take plenty of water with you in the summer months as wily vendors will sell small bottles at exorbitant prices. Along lunch also gets you out of the hottest part of the day.
15:00
Entry tickets to the Colosseum can be bought at the gate but if the line is too long you can go to the ticket window at the base of the Palatine hill and buy them there. The line here is generally much shorter as not many tourists go up the hill. The remains of the Emperors palace stands at the top overlooking the forum and quite stretegically down on the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. This hill is also said to be where Romulus founded Rome.
Beside the Colosseum stands the Arch of Constantine, which was an exercise in recycling of old monuments by Emperor Constantine to reward himself for beating Maxentius. The Colosseum has been damaged over the last 1800 years by earthquakes, invaders and marble merchants but the recent restoration projects has seen parts of it restored to give a good idea of its original state.
16:00
The Via Sacre leads from the Colosseum up into the Foro Romano, the centre of the ancient Roman trading world. The ruins include the original forum, Julius Caesar's funeral pyre, his Senate building, the Temple of the Vestal Virgins and the arch of Septimus Severus. The forum was buried over several hundreds of years of flooding, each layer has been stripped back to reveal another Roman era, and in some cases where two eras have merged, as in the case of the Temple of Antonino and Faustina. The door that stands halfway up the exposed wall shows where the ground level was during the 8th Century when the 2nd Century temple was converted to church.
There are plenty of tour guides available as history students and licensed guides offer their services with tours of the forum and the coliseum. The stories they tell really help the ruins to come alive. Across the road is Trajan's Forum with the very conspicuous Trajan's column. This marks the edge of ancient Rome and the continuation of the modern city. Unfortunately most of ancient Rome lies beneath the Via dei Fiori Imperiali, the road built by Mussolini to parade his troops up and down before going off to battle.
17:00
The rest of the day can be spent either indulging in some people watching at any of the cafes in Piazza Navona and admiring the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi sculptured by Bernini, or relaxing in the shade in the park at the 17thC Villa Borghese. Then its back to those clubs you missed last night.
08:00
This really depends on when you decide to leave. An early evening departure may enable you to take in one of three options provided you start early. The baths of Caracalla is a 10 hectare space that once held 1600 people there to take advantage of the bathing, shops, libraries, gardens and public entertainment. These open at 9am closing 1 hour before sunset and 2pm on a Monday. You would need around 3-4 hours including travel time to view these.
The other option is to visit one of the vast catacombs that are buried beneath the city. These are miles and miles of tunnels, burial vaults and Churches dug by the early Christians to escape persecution by the Romans. The burial vaults are countless metres tall and the tunnels run down over several levels. The resulting rabbit warren requires a guide to take you through and out again safely. You can choose from the ones on the Via Appia Antica, which are the largest, or the Catacombs of San Callisto which are next door to the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. They open at 8.30am closing at noon, reopening in the afternoon from 2.30pm until 5pm. Again you would need 3-4 hours to take one site in.
10:00
The third and final choice is to leave the whole touristy thing out and indulge in some authentic food experiences. The food markets north of the Vatican are held just off Viale dele Millizie and the ones in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele near Termini offer a selection of fresh and locally made produce.
There you have it, all the major attractions of Rome achievable in just 2 days. The choice now is, do I really want to leave just yet?
Katy Hyslop has spent the past 6 years travelling, tour guiding and generally hanging around the European tourism industry. She is now based in Italy and in charge of keeping the crew under control at Plus. If you want to know more on what to see or where to stay in Rome click here [http://www.plusvillages.com/HostelsInRome.aspx].

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Pasta, Piazzas and Pizza - Rome is a Digestive Delight

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By Isla Campbell


Rome is a must-see destination on any European holiday. It has a rich mix of history, art, culture and architecture. Experiencing where the gladiators fought in the Roman Coliseum, the great architectural marvel of the Pantheon or the sublime beauty of the Trevi Fountain will take up a lot of your time in Rome, but you'll need somewhere to eat and relax as well. Many people enjoy Italian food at home; nevertheless experiencing Italian food in Italy's capital city is a must-do on any trip to Rome.

Top 5 Gastronomic Experiences in Rome

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By Roberta Stuart


When staying in a central city hotel Rome on your Italian holiday, all attempts at maintaining a diet must fall by the wayside. There are incredible gastronomic experiences that are awaiting you all through the city.
Coffee Casanova Style
Think Italian gastronomy and very soon your mind will drift to coffee. Drinking coffee and cafes are a way of life here in Rome, and every Roman has their favourite. One café that has been serving up espresso for hundreds of years is the Antico Café Grecco. This is considered to be one of the world's three oldest cafes, having been operating since 1760. During its expansive history, characters such as Casanova, Lord Byron, Keats and Goethe have all enjoyed their beverages here among the charming décor.

Trendy Eats in Rome

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By Roo Sadegi

The former printworks of the Il Manifesto daily paper provide a post-industrial setting for Reef, a restaurant masterminded by Antonello Colonna, the Italian government's banqueting supremo. The design, by Marco and Ginaluigi Giammetta, is bold and raw-edged, right down to the sand on the floor which gives the place its name. Glass, iron, and light provide the ambiance for an inventive seafood cuisine that artfully marries the savours of vegetables, fish, and shellfish. Outstanding specialties include saltimbocca di rana pescatrice alla salsa di marsala (roulade of frog in marsala wine sauce), rombo (turbot) with artichokes, moscardini (small fish) kebabs with a salad of broad beans and Pecorino cheese, and swordfish couscous. For fans of raw fish, the sushi, sashimi, and makisushi menus change daily, depending on the latest catch.
Reef

101 Things to Do in Rome

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Author: jamiehanson

It is said that a lifetime is not long enough to see Rome – Roma, non basta una vita! Simply put there is too much to see. We have taken a few highlights of Rome and things that one has to experience in order to truly enjoy this remarkable city and experience it, if even for a few days or moments. It is also a great excuse to keep on returning to visit this eternal city, the centre of Civilisation – ‘Caput Mundi’ 1. Eat a take-away pizza in Piazza Navona on one of the marble benches whilst looking at the fountains. 2. Hire the mythical Vespa motor bike and take your loved one around Rome just like Gregory Pack did with Audrey Hepburn in the movie Roman Holiday 3. Go to the Fontana di Trevi at Sunrise and toss a coin in the fountain don’t forget to make a wish to return to Rome. 4. Walk up the steps to the Capitoline Hill, the spectacular Renaissance Piazza at sunset.

Nightlife in Rome

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Author: Asif Khan

Rome is one of the Italian cities with major Mediterranean flavour. Thanks to its pleasant climate and its charming people, it enjoys a large influx of tourists. It has a quiet nightlife, but the lacks of the night are compensated with its cultural and archaeological attractions. Though, the party lovers will not be disappointed if they go to the indicated locals. Even the most demanding people would be happy having a relaxing stroll under the moonlight in some of its squares or a walk along the Tiber River.
While nightlife in Rome holidays takes place most commonly around the dinner table, the bar scene is pretty varied and offers something for everyone. Many of the city's pubs are quiet havens for a mid-afternoon pint, yet transform into virtual nightclubs after dinner, often attracting a crowd nostalgic for home-style drunkenness.
The bars on Campo de' Fiori are filled with Italians sipping coffee by day and invaded by raucous exchange students by night. The Drunken Ship, Sloppy Sam's and a cluster of other bars attract quite a fun-loving crowd.
Bar Del Fico - This nightclub is very popular amongst the artistic crowd in the city, and is located at the Piazza Del Fico. The club serves up a heady blend of great music and well mixed drinks, making it very popular among young crowds. The Bar Del Fico is also a popular hangout for many of the famous artists and actors from around Italy.
Shopping, dining, and drinking in Rome are not difficult ventures; however, though Rome's vibrant nightlife is an experience of its own, the historical and cultural attractions of the city definitely triumph the city's nightlife scene.
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Log on to http://www.myvacations.co.uk/ and you'll find everything that you need for city breaks in Rome

24 Hours in Rome (2)

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Rome is a city that has a long time of history. You can track the rudiment of history here. In Rome, you should stay in good spirits. You should grasp every minute to get to know the magnificence and glory of Rome. On the full schedule, if you have only one day to tour around Rome, the following things can help you know Rome quickly.

Via del Governo Vecchio

If you cross the Plazza di spagrla from Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum, you will see the window of the guest room of ol' Giorgio as well as the famous Via Condotti where most of those Italian designers get together. However, for the sake of money, I will choose to go to Via del Governo Vecchio which is located in the other side the this city. Although it is not that famous, you can still go shopping happily here. You can buy nearly all things here, from fur to bathing suit.

Walk to Ponte Sisto

The best way to understand a city is to choose some cheap and typical store to go around. Here is a two-hour walking route---start from the noisy and crowded Piazza Navona, walk southward to Campo de' Fiori where you can find coffee shops, daily food and flower market, then you will arrive at Dafarr plaza where there are springs and palaces during Renaissance, next continue you walking until reaching Ponte Sisto. The Ponte bridge here provide you with the best prospective of taking view of the beauty of Rome. Then you can walk across the river Tiber. You can continue your walking. Different kinds of charming things will arrive one by one.

Pizza

If you feel hungry, but do not have enough time to stop to having lunch, you can try some pizza with which you can eat standing up. There are a lot flake pizza everywhere in Rome. What you should do is to point out the kind of pizza that you want to buy. Apart from the standard Magarit pizza, there are also other kinds of pizza such as potato pizza and pumpkin pizza. My favourite kind of pizza do not has a name. You can taste the eggplant one in Via del Piedi Marmo.

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I Love Touring Rome, Italy - Campo De' Fiori District Hotels

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The delightful Campo de' Fiori area is in south central Rome. It is home to the classic Campo de' Fiori Square, which has hosted a produce market for over 140 years. Its name, Field of Flowers is rather ironic; this was the place for public executions, such as the killing during the Inquisition of Giordano Bruno in 1600. His statue overlooks the market. On a lighter note, this area buzzes at night. The French Embassy is housed in the Palazzo Farnese, a spectacular Renaissance palace. Close by is the Palazzo Spada which is open to the public. The Musei Capitolini is located in the Palazzo dei Conservatori and in the Palazzo Nuovo, two buildings on the east and west sides of Piazza del Campidoglio, both with facades designed by Michelangelo. Don't just look at the outside; there are excellent ancient sculptures, some of which are copies. For your convenience we have listed neighborhood hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages.


The Hotel Smeraldo Roma is fairly close to the Campo de' Fiori. There are 50 rooms including one for the disabled. The hotel has two rooftop terraces with a great view of Rome's historic center. The hotel address is Vicdo dei Chiodaroli, 9 - 00186 Roma.

The Town House Campo de' Fiori is located in a turn of the century building, namely when the Sixteenth Century turned into the Seventeenth. It overlooks the Campo de' Fiori, the oldest market in Rome. A continental breakfast is served in your room or in a nearby cafe. This is a non-smoking property. There are some junior suites. The address is Via dei Giubbonari, 43 - 00186 - Rome.

The Teatro di Pompeo Hotel is situated right near where Julius Caesar was assassinated. If you like old-style lodgings you'll love their beamed ceilings, terra-cotta floors, and antique furniture. The 13 rooms may be small, but remember, you're in the heart of Rome. There is a room for the disabled on the ground floor and a bar. The hotel address is Largo del Pallaro, 8 - 00186 - Rome.

The four star Hotel Ponte Sisto is located near a pedestrian bridge connecting Campo de' Fiori with the Trastevere neighborhood that you will definitely want to explore. The garden with palms trees is lovely as are the rooms in this renovated historical building. There is a lounge bar and three meeting rooms. The hotel address is Via dei Pettinari, 64 - 00186 - Rome.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian, French, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and spend time with his wife and family. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Among his many web sites he is particularly proud of his Italian travel site with a special focus on regional food and wine at http://www.travelitalytravel.com. Check out his global wine website at http://www.theworldwidewine.com with his weekly column reviewing $10 wines and his new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines, and now upscale wines.

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