View Full Version : Anyone here know Rome?
Will be staying near the railway station, just wondering if anyone has any good recommendations for restaurants near (1 mile) that location.
Not the flash, touristy ones but the good ones where the indigenous personnel go to eat.
Thanks
I ate in one not far from there - was full of locals so let me see if I can find the name of it.
The area looks a bit rough around the railway station, but in the three days I was there there was not even a hint of trouble.
Stratmangler
20-04-2016, 12:53
I have a vewwy good fwend in Wome...........Biggus Dic... :eyebrows:
I thought you were on first names with Francis? ;)
Martin, I don't really know Rome very well, but a golden rule in Italy, if you want to eat proper Italian food, un-poncified at decent prices, and generally where the locals go, is to target a Trattoria, or even better an Osteria, rather than a Restaurant.
In Italy, the latter is usually seen as the place to go to have a more formal, 'fancier' meal, but is not necessarily where the best food is served. In an Italian restaurant, much of what you're paying for will be the waiter in the bow tie, the linen tablecloths and serviettes, etc, and the decor.
It's totally different in a Trattoria or an Osteria, as these are generally seen as 'kitchens with tables', are usually small and family owned, and where the accent is on simple, but beautifully cooked local produce, at good prices. Osterias tend to be even more like that than Trattorias, and can be veritable foodie heaven!
I just did a quick Google search, and found this place, called Trattoria Monti: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x132f61bca967980b:0x25cf2dcce6d7b387!2m5!2m 2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i100!3m1!7e115!4shttp://www.2spaghi.it/ristoranti/lazio/rm/roma/trattoria-monti/photo/%23photo!5strattoria+monti,+rome+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttp://images.2spaghi.it/google/trattoria-monti-20100915-141717.jpg&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi884e_pJ3MAhWsCcAKHd7ECx8QoioIdDAK
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d793216-Reviews-Trattoria_Monti-Rome_Lazio.html
I've no idea how near it is to the station, or how good it is, but that's certainly the *type* of place I'd be targeting, were I in Rome :)
One further point, eateries near stations tend to be poor quality, as the large footfall and captive audience dictates that restaurants don't have to try too hard to get business. The best places are usually hard to find, tucked down side streets, which you have to search for - and that's why they have to maintain high standards! ;)
Anyway, when it comes, I hope you have a nice time :cool:
Marco.
Any comments on this, Martin? :)
Marco.
Thanks for that Marco, useful info; but I was hoping to get a specific recommendation from someone who has actually been, preferably recently. I don't really trust trip advisor and such-like. Some people's idea of what constitutes good food/restaurants is along way from mine.
I had a look to find the restaurant we went to in 2014, but I have been unable to find it.
When are you going? I will have another look between now and the weekend.
Thanks for that Marco, useful info; but I was hoping to get a specific recommendation from someone who has actually been, preferably recently. I don't really trust trip advisor and such-like. Some people's idea of what constitutes good food/restaurants is along way from mine.
Yeah, I know (and agree). It was mainly to get the Restaurant/Trattoria/Osteria point across. That'll serve you well no matter where you go in Italy :)
I've been travelling to Italy, and staying there for many weeks at a time, since the 70s, and can tell you that the best food is very rarely eaten in 'fancy' restaurants. Italian food just doesn't work that way, as it can with French food.
French food lends itself to being 'fancified', Italian food doesn't. It's much more rustic, and often tastier, too ;)
Marco.
Martin, here's a link that you may find useful: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/jul/13/top-10-trattorias-rome
In particular, I like the sound and look of Armando al Pantheon or Flavio al Velavevodetto :)
Marco.
French food lends itself to being 'fancified', Italian food doesn't. It's much more rustic, and often tastier, too ;)
That is a bit of a sweeping generalisation.
Most places we eat at here in France are more of a rustic style, with proper tasty food.
The fancy food is ok now and again - such as the restaurant run by Michel Bras.
Found one of them - Al Forno della Soffitta
Not a sweeping generalisation, Kevin, as over the years I've enjoyed many superb 'rustic' meals in France, but rather a statement based on my not inconsiderable personal experience.
In my view, based on that experience, when it's *really* good, the Italian version usurps the French, in terms of out-and-out flavour. A lot of French food relies on sauces (often heavy cream-based ones), which tends to make it richer, and when it gets to Michelln star level, takes on a complexity and 'fancification' that you rarely see with Italian food.
I'm also not really into 'Nouvelle Cuisine' - I like a proper plate of food, not two blobs and a few 'skidmarks'! :eyebrows:
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the fancy stuff occasionally too, when done properly (although generally in the UK, as often you need to spend more here to eat really well), but I'm far more at home in somewhere like Armando al Pantheon above, or rather the same type of place tucked away in a remote village in the Tuscan hills.
Out of interest, how much experience of eating genuine Italian cuisine have you had (and I think you know what I mean by that), in order to compare between the two? :)
Marco.
Found one of them - Al Forno della Soffitta
That one sounds interesting. What was the food like? :)
Marco.
Having an Italian branch to the family, I have a fair bit of exposure to proper Italian food.
Obviously not as much as the exposure to French food though. I like them both. Mother in law is a retired chef, so I get to eat good, rustic food on a regular basis.
The food was good. Nice and tasty, but due to the differing styles it is hard to compare the two.
If you are travelling through France in the Aubrac region, I can recommend Michel Bras (Micheln 3 stars) but you need to book early. Really good food, and does not depend on the sauce for the taste. Recently judged as being one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.
Found one of them - Al Forno della Soffitta
Thanks Kev, I'll check it out - will be there tomorrow.
There was another one in the area on the corner of the street which was good as well, but I can't find it.
Don't forget to sample the gelato.
Don't know what gelato is (ice cream?) but cheers for the restaurant recommendation :)
Yep, Ice cream.
If you find the right shop, you will see that it is one thing that the Italians have certainly got down to a fine art.
brian2957
21-04-2016, 12:30
Thanks Kev, I'll check it out - will be there tomorrow.
Enjoy yersel Martin . How long are you there for mate ?
Thanks Kev, I'll check it out - will be there tomorrow.
Excellent - I'm sure you'll have a ball. Good time of the year to go too, when it won't be too warm. Summertime in Rome, with the severe heat and humidity, is a killer. Yes, the Gelato is second to none, although you may get marginally better in Sicily. Whatever you do though, try to sample three things when you're there, as they're all Roman specialities:
1) Spaghetti Carbonara. If you're a Carbonara fan, it doesn't get much better than in Rome.
2) Any pasta (usually Pappardelle: thin ribbon pasta) with Sugo di Cinghiale, which is wild boar sauce - it's the mutt's nuts!
3) Saltimbocca alla Romana: thin veal escalopes, pan-fried in white wine and garlic, covered in Parma ham and fresh sage leaves. I had that for my dinner the other night. It's delicious!!
Enjoy, and don't come back with the clap.... :D
Marco.
Having an Italian branch to the family, I have a fair bit of exposure to proper Italian food.
Obviously not as much as the exposure to French food though. I like them both. Mother in law is a retired chef, so I get to eat good, rustic food on a regular basis.
The food was good. Nice and tasty, but due to the differing styles it is hard to compare the two.
Fair enough, mate. I've obviously been brought up with Italian food, and I've been travelling to France (usually en-route to Italy) since the 70s, so I'm pretty familiar with rustic French food, as when we're there, we're always off the beaten track, and as a result have found some marvellous little places, tucked away in the middle of nowhere :)
I guess it's just a personal thing. For me, French food lends itself more to fine dining than Italian food does. The latter is wholesome and hearty, and designed more to fill you up than look pretty. One of the key things for me, in that respect, is what the French can do with desserts and patisserie. In France, the finest food is more of an 'art'.
If you are travelling through France in the Aubrac region, I can recommend Michel Bras (Micheln 3 stars) but you need to book early. Really good food, and does not depend on the sauce for the taste. Recently judged as being one of the top 10 restaurants in the world.
Sounds interesting. Thanks for that. I'll defo bear it in mind if we find ourselves in the area :cool:
Marco.
Enjoy yersel Martin . How long are you there for mate ?
Cheers Brian - I'm back on Sunday night. it's just a weekend jaunt.
Marco I will try and check out that veal thing - although I'm not mad keen on veal that does sound good.
It's bloody lovely, Martin. Trust me, veal in Italy is cooked and served beautifully - way better than you get it here, as it's eaten there more often than chicken, which if you wish (if you were making the recipe here) you could use as a substitute.
Just copy the name down and look for it on the menu, or perhaps even ask for it. Any decent Restaurant/Trattoria in Rome should be able to knock up a top-notch Saltimbocca alla Romana! :)
One other tip, as I believe you enjoy a nice glass of red...
Unless where you're eating take particular care over their house wine, avoid it like the plague, and instead spend a reasonable amount of money on a nice bottle. Essentially, you're in a big city, so not the best place for restaurants to source good quality 'loose' wine, especially as you're a tourist, so goodness knows what might end up inside your carafe! Bottled wine will be much safer... ;)
My recommendation would be to look at wines from the nearby Puglia area, and anything featuring the superb Negroamaro grape, particularly Salice Salentino, or wines from the Basilicata area, using the gorgeous and full-bodied tasting Aglianico grape.
Just a wee bit of info, should you be sat there at the table wondering what to order! :cheers:
Marco.
Good tip - one of my colleagues is a wine buff so I'll let him sort that out :) Indeed I doubt I'll have the option ;) Last time I was eating with him he racked up £150 just on wine.
Got to be up for 0400 tomorrow, that'll be fun. Stiil, no pain no gain.
Good tip - one of my colleagues is a wine buff so I'll let him sort that out :) Indeed I doubt I'll have the option ;) Last time I was eating with him he racked up £150 just on wine.
Got to be up for 0400 tomorrow, that'll be fun. Stiil, no pain no gain.
Been there a few times, plenty of good places. Avoid anywhere near a major attraction is a good rule of thumb. Many of the more unassuming cafes are excellent for lunch. Also no need to look further than the house wine I find, reasonably priced and usually much better than the stuff we pay loads for.
Had a fab melazana a couple of blocks away from the pantheon, side street places are the ones to look out for. Trastevere is full of good, more local places too if you make it over there. Had the steak of my life in a family run place there.
Good tip - one of my colleagues is a wine buff so I'll let him sort that out :) Indeed I doubt I'll have the option ;) Last time I was eating with him he racked up £150 just on wine.
No problemo. Perhaps take a note of the reccos I've made and pass them onto your man to see what he thinks? :)
Marco.
Also no need to look further than the house wine I find, reasonably priced and usually much better than the stuff we pay loads for.
You shouldn't need to pay loads for any of the wines I've recommended, as they're locally produced, thus plentiful and easily obtained, and not particularly 'fancy'... Just good quality 'table wine'.
Trust me, as I've seen it happen first hand, 'house wine' served in carafes in restuarants often consists of the dregs of leftover bottled wine customers have ordered, simply poured into the carafe - they don't like to waste anything!! ;)
Marco.
You shouldn't need to pay loads for any of the wines I've recommended, as they're locally produced, thus plentiful and easily obtained, and not particularly 'fancy'... Just good quality 'table wine'.
Trust me, as I've seen it happen first hand, 'house wine' served in carafes in restuarants often consists of the dregs of leftover bottled wine customers have ordered, simply poured into the carafe - they don't like to waste anything!! ;)
Marco.
Hmm yes, some caution advised re the carafe stuff, usually bottled house is a montepulciano. Perfectly good. I did have carafe stuff once there, 5 euro a jug. It was lovely :lol: or maybe I'm just an alky :cool:
For a good ice cream you can go to Gelateria Fassi,
Via Principe Eugenio, 65.
Is not far from the railway station, 10 minutes walk.
Ask for Coppa Fassi.
Zabaione and pistacchio flavors are excellent. Banana too. Ask them to add a lot of whipped cream, you'll love it.
If you want to eat pizza, go to
Da Remo a Testaccio,
Piazza di Santa Maria Liberatrice, 44,
From the railway station take the underground line B, EUR direction.
Get down at Piramide station and walk 10 minutes along Via Marmorata.
Fish:
La fraschetta del pesce a Casalbertone.
Largo Giovanni Pittaluga, 7/9, 00159 Roma
Phone: 06 4359 9470
The best fish, ever.
The brothers of the owner have their own fishing boat and deliver fresh fish every day.
Better call them by phone to book your table.
Found one of them - Al Forno della Soffitta
Went to this restaurant - got there early which was fortunate as no reservation and by the time we finished there was a queue down the pavement - had the Chateaubriand which was outstanding - so thanks again, Kev.
Went to some other very good eateries as well, managed 8 in 3 days but walked almost 50 miles too so the fuel was needed. :)
Nice one, sounds fab. Did you get to try any Saltimbocca alla Romana?
How was the weather and your holiday in general? Did you enjoy Rome? :)
Marco.
Yes enjoyed it very much.
Managed to tick most of the boxes - Vatican, Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain, Palatine hill, the Borgia estate and a couple of art galleries and museums.
It's nothing like France, which surprised me. Very good hotel as well, beautiful room with a balcony.
Had the veal but it wasn't that great, not sure if I don't like the dish or if it was just not a good effort, I've no frame of reference. Went to a few back street 'mom and pop' restaurants, which were all very good, with rustic but tasty food. Had a lovely bit of lamb in one place that was so small my seat was practically on the tram tracks outside and the owners were about ninety years old. We closed that place down but we made a serious dent in their wine stock, so they were quite happy about that :)
Went to this restaurant - got there early which was fortunate as no reservation and by the time we finished there was a queue down the pavement - had the Chateaubriand which was outstanding - so thanks again, Kev.
Went to some other very good eateries as well, managed 8 in 3 days but walked almost 50 miles too so the fuel was needed. :)
I am glad you enjoyed it, and that it sounds the same as when I was there.
Yes enjoyed it very much.
Managed to tick most of the boxes - Vatican, Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain, Palatine hill, the Borgia estate and a couple of art galleries and museums.
It's nothing like France, which surprised me. Very good hotel as well, beautiful room with a balcony.
Had the veal but it wasn't that great, not sure if I don't like the dish or if it was just not a good effort, I've no frame of reference. Went to a few back street 'mom and pop' restaurants, which were all very good, with rustic but tasty food. Had a lovely bit of lamb in one place that was so small my seat was practically on the tram tracks outside and the owners were about ninety years old. We closed that place down but we made a serious dent in their wine stock, so they were quite happy about that
Sounds great, mate, and that you managed to cram in a lot of stuff in a short time! :)
Next time you're up, I'll ask Del to make some Saltimbocca for lunch, and you can let me know whether you like it or not. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a good effort in Rome, but you never know...
Can you remember the names of some wines you liked?
Marco.
Can't remember the wines, I didn't pick them., but they were all very good.
Tried to use my smattering of Italian but they all insisted on speaking English to me.
First time for me on Ryan Air because I never usually go to Europe - interesting experience. 15 euros just to print out a boarding card: robbing bastards ;)
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.