Best: Sacro e Profano
Why: Amazing food! The best pizza and fresh mozzarella we have ever had!!

Evelyn Fernandez in Jericho, NY USA 02/03/2009

Best: Al Bric
Why: Romantic, tasty food, amazing wine list.

D. in Dallas, TX USA 12/31/2008

Best: Ristorante Corsi (near Pantheon), La Isola Pizza (near Vatican), and Pizzaria da Gigino (Sorrento)
Why: Had a good lunch at Ristorante Corsi near the Pantheon while doing the Caesar Shuffle. We sat in the wine store area and had good pasta and wine. We got there at noon when it opened and it was full by 12:30. When we left St. Peters it was raining and we stopped at a Rick recommended restaurant (La Isola della Pizza) for pizza and wine. The pizza was very good. They stayed open at lunch a few minutes extra to serve us food, when they could have told us they were closing for the afternoon. We ate at Pizzeria da Gigino several times because they had good pizza and pasta at good prices.

Jim Perschbacher in Mableton, GA USA 12/07/2008

Best: Caffee dello Studente, Rome
Why: Really nice, friendly and good food at resonable price. Good recommendation!

Sandra I in Huntington Beach, CA USA 11/19/2008

Best: Costanza
Why: Good food (great gnocchi), friendly service, and more locals than tourists.

Colleen in Wolfisberg, WA USA 11/17/2008

Worst: Osteria da Mario and Flann OBrien Irish Pub
Why: The Osteria da Mario was a overall poor experience. The food was poorly prepared and generic at best. The service was perfuctory. We were seated outside on a warm October night and spent the entire time warding off flower sellers, photographers and, yes, mariachi musicians.

The Flann OBrien Irish Pub was just awful. The service was the worse we had anywhere. We had to flag down a manager just to get a second drink. The food was medicore and for an Irish Pub not to have fish and chips is criminal.

Larry in Florence, KY USA 11/13/2008

Best: Can't think of the name...
Why: However, it is in the Trastevere area. Turn right down Via di Lungaretta off of Viale Trastevere. Just past the small church on the right in a small piazza was a wonderful restaurant that served the best meal we had the entire trip: 5 Euro pastas, 3 Euros salads and they must be known for their pizzas because everyone was ordering pizzas.

Barbara Murphy in Chicago, IL USA 11/08/2008

Worst: The world's famous ice cream place listed in the book.
Why: Firstly, the place is mobbed with tourists. Secondly, the staff is incredibly rude. And most important of all, the ice cream is not that great. I would never return to this place. There got to be better gelato in Rome somewhere else.

Doug in Las Cruces, NM USA 10/28/2008

Best: La Cucina Nazionale
Why: Near the Termini and Piazza Republic. About $$. Their Antinori Chianti Classico Peppoli wine was very good. Apparently frequented by lots of locals. Find it at 3 Via Nazionale 1 block south of the plaza.

Richard York in Tyler, TX USA 10/21/2008

Best: Rinaldi al Quirinale
Why: Our Concierge recommended the Rinaldi al Quirinale, on Via Nazionale about 5-6 blocks south of the Pizaaz Republic. Opens at 7pm. About $$.

Richard York in Tyler, TX USA 10/21/2008

Best: Ristorante di Giglio, Rome near Termini Station.
Why: We had a very good meal there for 63€ and the delightful experience of an extended conversation with an Italian businessman who was seated next to us. We also learned a useful tip when he ordered a pitcher of wine (vino locale or vino della casa) at a fraction of the typical price of a bottle.

Worst: La Carbonara, Campo dei Fiori
Why: We’d ordered Pasta Carbonara several times in other places, and always enjoyed it, but theirs was tasteless, cardboard-tough, and overpriced. If ever we felt like victims of a tourist trap, it was here!

Mary Jo & Patrick in Portland, OR USA 07/29/2008

Best: Restorante Target
Why: The food here was simply the best we had all week. Salads and brushchetta delicious for lunch. Good service, lovely ambiance. Everyone here seems to like it because it was quite busy. Easy to find. Classy without the classy price!

Wendy A. Paterson, Ph.D. in Buffalo, NY USA 07/09/2008

Worst: Hosteria del Bastion near Vatican
Why: This diner posts outside that it is recommended by various guidebooks. The food was edible at best. Not worthy of a recommendation by your otherwise excellent guidebook

Lisa in Berkeley, CA USA 07/08/2008

Best: Miscellanea
Why: the panini were HUGE, delicious, and a great bargain

Worst: Caffeteria Nazionale
Why: seemed very overpriced, and the location didn't seem to match up with the map

Zandy in Seattle, WA USA 07/07/2008

Best: Restaurante Romana (name quite right) near the Barberini metro stop
Why: Oh my goodness, were the waiters hilarious. (The restaurant wasn't quite as casual as the book says, but no matter.)

John Weiss in Boulder, CO USA 06/23/2008

Best: Caffe dello Studente
Why: We went twice and were treated like royalty both times - I'm sure it was because we had the book. We didn't see Simona (she stays home some with their small child), but her husband, Emiliano, took wonderful care of us. The food was awesome, too!

Worst: "Claudio's Extravaganza" at Gabriello's
Why: We loved the restaurant and the food and service were excellent. The "Extravaganza" turned out to be regular selections from each course on the menu. We had hoped for something a little more special - Maybe our expectations were not realistic.

Ann Blalock in Katy, TX USA 06/22/2008

Best: Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Why: Of all the eateries recommended, this venue lived up to its description. Inexpensive, tasty pizza and a beer for about 6 Euro. They actually offer three kinds of pizza, though, not two. The first one is marinara, which has sauce only. The second is margherita which has a little bit of mozzarella and sauce, and the third one is "doppe" (not sure if I spelled it right) that has double the mozzarella cheese and is the one most people want. It covers the whole pie with cheese, whereas the margherita is sparsely covered. No English is spoken there, but the menus are framed and hung on the wall at each table, and you can point.

Rosemary in Forest Hills, NY USA 06/19/2008

Best: Miscellanea
Why: Friendly staff, great food, low prices - and Mikki's "sexy wine". We were reading the guidebook after lunch and here came the wine without a word from us.

Steve Coney in League City, Te USA 05/24/2008

Best: Osteria da Mario near Pantheon
Why: Perfectly delicious! We arrived just after opening (7pm) on a Saturday night. Most of the outdoor tables were reserved starting at 8 or 9. They found a spot for us and we assured them we'd be finished by then, which we were.

Amy in Wiesbaden, Germany 05/17/2008

Best: L'Antica Birreria Peroni
Why: We went there for dinner after visiting the Trevi fountain. Food was marvelous, bruscetta was fabulous, and the linguini was like momma used to make! The atmosphere is casual, beer hall. And the Peroni was excellent!

Worst: The cruise ship cuisine
Why: Seasick. I shoulda stayed in Rome.

Julia in San Francisco, CA USA 04/28/2008

Best: Osteria Ponte Sisto, Ristorante Enotica Corsi and Cafe Dello Studente
Why: All excellent value, friendliness and outstanding food

Cathy Garvey in Baldwinsville, NY USA 04/27/2008

Best: il Gabriello
Why: fantastic food, fun small atmosphere

Tim Johnson in New Castle, DE USA 04/08/2008

Best: Ostaria di Mario
Why: So good, so friendly, so cozy. Just loved this place. THey have the best rigatoni alla carbonara of 10 days in Italy (I ate it almost daily).

Robert in Longview, wa USA 04/06/2008

Best: Ricci Est Est Est Pizzeria
Why: From a purely financial standpoint, it's probably necessary for most American tourists to eat some pizza in Rome (the low value of the dollar makes all restaurant meals overpriced). When considering ambiance, pizza-quality and service, this one is a good choice.

Worst: Gelateria alla Scala in Trastevere
Why: not terrible, just not above average for homemade gelato. I would not "seek it out" as you recommend.

Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 03/04/2008

Best: teatro der pallaro and ristorante alla rampa
Why: First time to der Pallaro. Nice to have something different. I'm dying to know what they served the night before and the next night; the descriptions here sounded an awful lot like what we had. Went to alla Rampa twice -- been there before. For my money, it's the best value in Rome. The meats are almost all 10 euros, the same as the pastas. The waiters are not rude -- you just have to flirt with them a little and not let them take you too seriously.

Worst: target
Why: "soulless" is the perfect word. And overpriced for what it is. Not bad, just nothing special. And at these prices, every meal should be something special.

April Smith in Stonington, CT USA 02/24/2008

Best: Ristorante il Gabriello
Why: Quiet ambiance,wonderful food at reasonable prices.

Worst: Rist. Pizzaria Sacro e Profano
Why: Sunday afternoon at 230pm they wouldn't seat us for lunch and were not all that nice about it. Also, La Rusticella, although the antipaso bar may be good, the rest of the food is barely average. Soup tasted like water. They overcharged by 10 euros for a wine we had elsewhere.

Liz Phelps in Pittsburg, CA USA 02/18/2008

Best: Trattoria der Pallaro
Why: The food in Rome, to me, was the best from my three-some week trip in Italy. And this place was my favorite. The motherly welcome I got on my return visit. The wonderful food. And at 23 euros for an collection of antipasto, pasta, secondi, dessert, water and wine it was a good deal.

Other places I cannot ignore in Rome are Ristorante il Gabriello (THE place for a splurge), Filetti de Baccala (good budget open, opens earlier than most roman restaurants, and unlike Rick I did not think the puntarelle salad was strange and bitter, just good) and Ristorante Enoteca Corsi (would have ranked it higher if it was open for dinner as well as lunch, but lots of families on a Saturday eating great food, all of us happy)

Worst: Resaurant Target
Why: What am I missing? The feedback here was good, but I got the worst food I ate while in Rome (eight days), and it was not even very cheap. All that was positive was that during a thunderstorm, it was close to my hotel so I didn't have to go very far. A (dis)honorable mention goes to Ristorante da Fortunato. The food was good, but at those prices (40 euros per person), it needs to be better than "good" And the service was not up to par. As a lone traveller, I should still be given the wine list, and if I ask for recommendations, look me in the eye if you want to avoid the question and say the pasta without specifics.

Brian Gulledge in Woodbridge, VA USA 02/11/2008

Best: Target
Why: Ambiance was nice with an attentive staff. Food better than average and reliable. Great house wine.

Worst: Sacro E Profano
Why: It was a total tourist trap. There was a large group dining with a tour company. Others were steered by Rick Steves as evidenced by the Rome guide on their tables. The food was overpriced for the quality which was bad. Do not go!

Soo Jung Lee in Decatur, GA USA 01/19/2008

Best: Al Viminale, Piazza del Viminale
Why: Italo and his family run this restaurant. I think they do most of their business at lunch, as we were the only people there in the evening. The food was fresh and very good, and the tiramisu was the best we had in Italy. The service was very good, the bathroom was clean, and we never felt rushed. A great way to end our trip!

Worst: Il Barocco, Via Napoli
Why: When we travel we like most to eat like and with the locals. Il Barocco was recommended by a staff-person at our hotel, but it was more like an Italian version of Denny's than a good Italian restaurant. We saw no Italians except the wait-staff, and the food was mediocre at best.

Chris in Darnestown, MD USA 12/16/2007

Best: Il Gabriello in Rome
Why: We selected this restaurant because it was close to our hotel and raining the night we went. The food was very, very good--one of our best meals of the trip. We arrived at 7 pm wo reservation but they gave us a table. The place was completely full by the time we left. The staff are attentive and fun. We also liked Alla Rampa--the antipasta plate is plenty for a meal. Everything on the menu is 10 euros.

Susan Jennings in Atlanta, Ga USA 11/19/2007

Best: Ristorante alla Rampa
Why: Great location near the Spanish Steps. Food was delicious - especially the penne alla rampa. Best tiramisu I had in Italy!

Stephanie in Springfield, IL USA 11/04/2007

Best: Tre Scalini and Osteria del Anima
Why: Just had gelato from take out side of Tre Scalini, but it was the best, especially the dark chocolate. And I tried 2 gelato stores each day!

I don't think Osteria del Anima is in Rick's book, but it should be! Wonderful! Right around the corner from Tre Scalini (from Tre Scalini, face north, take the left where you get Tre Scalini gelato, take the first right and wander a few yards. It's on your right.) Highly recommended by our Rome Walks tour guide. Especially the pear & gorgonzola stuffed pasta with cream and carrot sauce!

Speaking of which, Rome Walks tours was great! Our guides were very knowledgeable and friendly.

Stacie in Olympia, WA USA 11/04/2007

Best: Miscellanea
Why: Great food and reasonable prices. Mikki has a soft spot for children, and mine (ages 9 and 11) loved him. We went back a second time on our last night in Rome. Mikki gave us his homemade pistachio gelato, strawberry wine and other extras both times (at no charge).

Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 10/29/2007

Best: Gioia Mia, 34 Via del Avignonese (near Trevi Fountain)
Why: We ended up having most of our meals in Rome here. At first glance, it's an exercise in controlled chaos but that's part of the fun! After our second dinner there, the staff welcomed my mother and I like old friends. The waiters were equal parts raucous, charming, and perpetual motion. It seems to be popular among both locals and visitors, and vacant tables are rare. Though this is a pizzeria at heart, we loved the starter pasta plates (especially the salmon fettucine) which were meals in themselves. The menu also offers a good range of Italian favorites. If you're staying near the Trevi, definitely steer clear of the tourist trap joints near there and check this place out.

Mike in Denver, CO USA 10/24/2007

Best: Ristorante alla Rampa
Why: Great location near Spanish Steps, with lots of outdoor seating and wonderful antipasto bar.

Ron in DeWitt, MI USA 10/17/2007

Best: La Torre
Why: This restaurant is situated in Trastevere, Via Natale del Grande, is very good and not expensive at all...

Charles in Ohio, USA 09/30/2007

Worst: Ristorante All Rampa---Spanish Steps
Why: This was my 7th trip to Europe and the only time I have ever felt rushed in a restaurant in Europe. The food was fine but the service was terrible. Rude waiter. He was actually openly hostile. 2 items ordered were charged higher on bill than indicated on menu. Their only concern seemed to be getting people in and out as quickly as possible. A tourist trap experience at best and this was on a weeknight in late September 2007.

Greg Morris in Tarpon Springs, Fl USA 09/28/2007

Worst: Caffe dello Studente
Why: I can't believe all the positive statements about this place on the graffiti wall. The service was awful - people were getting up to get their own menus! And the food was worse. I ordered a "chicken cutlet" for 11 euros - not cheap for lunch - and it was an oval gray "patty" plopped on my plate with some lettuce, for that amount of money I at least thought it would be a real piece of meat. In 45 days across 7 countries and 10 cities, it was the only meal I couldn't eat; that is saying something. The next night I ate at a different restaurant and had a chicken dish for the same price and it was delicious and real chicken. Can't believe Rick would recommend this place, or if so, he should at least warn about getting any "meat" dishes! In short, way overpriced, some of the worst service i've ever had, and the only inedible meal in over 100 meals on a 6-week trip. Pretty awful! I should've known it would be bad news when I saw that most of the items on the menu were marked as frozen - including all of the pizzas.

Debra Black in Los Anglees, CA USA 09/18/2007

Worst: La Carbonara on Campo dei Fiori
Why: The service was so terrible and the waiter so completely rude, that, despite the food being good (not great), it wasn't worth it at all. And, it was terribly overpriced for what it was. For one appetizer, two first course pasta dishes, and a 375 mL bottle of wine, our bill was 52 Euro.

Allison Hardin in Atlanta, GA USA 09/13/2007

Worst: Caffeteria Gastronomia Antica Roma/blocks from the Spanish steps
Why: Me & my new bride went to Rome on the last leg of our our Honeymoon during August 2007. It was extremely busy but wonderful for the most part. The only bad experience we had was a Gelateria where two of the workers attempted to charge us 28 Euro for 2 Ice creams. My wife had a cup with 2 scoops of the same flavor and I had a Waffle cone with 2 scoops of chocolate. We gave the ice cream back because they would not reduce the price, they were cursing us in Italian (I speak Italian). I was so upsetand my wife mentioned that they had done something similar to another American man ahead of us in the line. Please make sure that when you walk into a place like this, you check the menu or ask how much the item is up front otherwise you'll get the runaround. I was walking in for a nice treat and walked out so upset I could not believe it and all over an Ice cream cone. It is very busy and the counter people can be very short & ill mannered.

joseph in long beach, ca USA 08/19/2007

Best: Caffe dello Studente
Why: close to the Colosseum though a bit of an uphill trek, but good food, not expensive, fast service, nice restroom, and they did indeed waive the cover charge when they saw our copy of the guidebook

JoAnne Sulak in Leesburg, VA USA 08/16/2007

Best: Mirage Ristorante, Fiumicino, near airport
Why: I am recommending Mirage Ristorante Pizzeria in Fuimicino, ocean view on Lungomare della Salute. Tel. 06 65 84 169. Fabulous food and wine, untouched California feel, 10 minutes from the airport.

P.Whisenhunt in Carlsbad, CA USA 08/10/2007

Best: Miscellanea and Osteria da Mario
Why: Both of these restuarants were delicious and homey. Miscellanea had the most delicious salad I've ever had, for 6 euros, and awesome bruchetta pomodoro. The owner, Mikki, caught us on our way out and charmed us and then made us go in and get a glass of his "sexy", yummy strawberry wine. Then he had us sit down with him and a couple of his regulars who were visiting from Belgium, and we had an enjoyable conversation and learned tips on sights and restuarants. Osteria da Mario had delicious pasta and cheap wine, and once again we were seated next to two local Italians who we soon got into a conversation with about Italy/U.S. differences, etc. Both evenings were so enjoyable!

Worst: Not really the worst...Restaurant Target
Why: It wasn't awful, just nothing special. The pizza was good but seemed a bit overpriced, as was the appetizer, once slice of toast with topping for 7 euros. The service was fine, but I think you could find better food for the price elsewhere.

Devin in Olympia, WA USA 08/08/2007

Worst: Ristorante Grotte del Teatro di Pompeo
Why: We had a number of problems. First, when ordering what we thought was the house wine, we were brought a bottle that the waiter said was very good. Only when we got the bill did we find out that this was a much more expensive wine than what we thought we ordered. When our "bill" came, it consisted of a very small scrap of paper with numbers scrawled on it, but no itemization of anything (which we found out later, from our hotel staff, is illegal in Italy). When we politely tried to question our bill, the waiter got quite upset and brought out the owner. She loudly and hurriedly tried to tell us what everything cost, but we had also determined that they charged us for an entree we never ordered (plus the expensive wine). We tried to point out the mistake in the extra entree, but she kept insisting that we ordered it. She then sent over an English-speaking woman, whom we figured would try to help with the language barrier. Turns out she was a disgruntled ex-patriot and friend of the owner who loudly insulted us and patronized us, suggesting that maybe we didn't understand dollars vs. Euros, and making other condescending remarks. It was an absolutely horrible experience. We were in Italy for 2 weeks in a number of cities and never had an experience anything like this (thankfully). And I notice from the board that someone else had a similar experience with the bill. We were happy with all the other recommend restaurants, but would never recommend this one.

Paula Telesco in Chelmsford, MA USA 08/02/2007

Best: Ristorante alla Rampa
Why: Although it took a bit longer to get waited on than I would have preferred, the food was delicious. We did try the self-serve antipasto spread, and it's a great chance to try several different kinds of Italian food and it all tasted wonderful. We also had the best pasta there!

Pamela Braun in Columbus Junction, IA USA 07/30/2007

Best: Target-around Termini station
Why: Service is no longer slow--three courses for one person in under an hour.

Worst:
Why: the ones around the spanish steps were closed (temporarily?)

Brian in Cleveland, OH USA 07/26/2007

Best: Ristorante il Gabriello in Rome
Why: Wonderful food, good service, friendly staff and a charming dining room. The best meal we had in Rome!

Worst: Ristorante alla Rampa
Why: Rick says the service here is "impersonal." I would call it downright rude. The food was pretty good but not even close to il Gabriello. The buffet mentioned in Rick's book was picked over by 21:00 and not replenished. I was disappointed in the whole experience.

Sue in Apple Valley, MN USA 07/18/2007

Best: Perilli in Prati
Why: Very friendly staff and the food was great.

Worst: La Carbonara.
Why: Success is spoiling it. Crowded and you have to wait to get in.

Marsh Mendez in Fremont, CA USA 07/12/2007

Worst: Tre Scaline, Rome
Why: Terrible service and mediocre food.

Tony Beccaccio in Fairfax, Ca USA 07/02/2007

Worst: Fiaschetteria
Why: Food was fair at best. Seating outside is very dangerous....heavy automobile traffic and constant barrage of beggars bothering you while you eat. Staff does nothing to discourage them.

Dave Schleh in Stillwater, MN USA 07/02/2007

Best: Miscellanea
Why: Good, inexpensive food. Plus the Sexy Wine was delicious.

Darrin in Glendale Heights, IL USA 06/21/2007

Worst: Ristorante la Carbonara
Why: Service was poor as you warned in the guide but the food was simply awful. It was clear it had been made ahead in large quantities and reheated. In my opinion, this restaurant is simply a tourist trap and not interested in providing the customer good food or service.

Barbara Veit in Glen Rock, NJ USA 06/07/2007

Best:
Why: Can't remember the name, but her picture is right there at the start of the chapter! Little place behind Campo di Fiori. If she sees your book, she will grab it, sign it and show all the other guests. Fabulous traditional dinner. You get what she's serving that night, so you may have something different than your neighbor if she runs out of something.

Lewis Family in Federal Way, WA USA 05/25/2007

Best: Caffe dello Studente; Pizza Rustica
Why: The food was delicious and remarkably cheap: 3 euros for a 2-litre bottle of ice-cold water, and 2.75 for a huge panini (we're talking the size of two Rick Steve's books side-by-side) stuffed with diavolo and mozzarella. Simona treats guests with Rick Steve's books like royalty, showed us to a seat (free because we had the guidebook), and made food recommendations. Staff was very very friendly and the price was unbeatable. It's a little walk from the Coliseum, but the views are still great and it's WAY cheaper than the restaurants around the Coliseum.

Pizza Rustica are GREAT, especially for chain shops! They make very tasty pizza at dirt-cheap prices: 90 cents for margherita, 1.30 for most other kinds, and 1.80 for huge calzones that could easily feed two people. They're small, so be prepared to order and pay fast, but the value is worth it, especially the ones near Vatican City.

Megan Stoner in Jackson, MS USA 05/25/2007

Worst: Trattoria da Lucia
Why: I actually didn't eat here...why, because both times I went here they completely ignored us when they relized we were tourists. They had plenty of tables open on both nights I tried (Sun and Tues) and just flat out told us to go somewhere else as they were busy. They were not that busy, that had only 8 tables filled.

BTW, the second time I tried to make a reservation and they told me they did not take reservations which is a lie!

Don't go here, they don't want tourists!

Rob in Tampa, FL USA 05/23/2007

Best: Osteria Ponte Sisto
Why: This place was a standout. The Gnocchi was the best I've ever had. The staff was helpful and went out of their way to accomodate us. Really my best restaurant experience in Rome and I'm a hardcore foodie! GO HERE!

Rob in Tampa, FL USA 05/23/2007

Best: Miscellanea
Why: The handsome guy who led us there (Met him in a store when asking for directions) he has great hair and a motorcycle! Also met Mikki. Food was great!

J P Pardini in Philadelphia, PA USA 05/04/2007

Best: Miscellanea
Why: Good food & drink, Mikki & his son Romeo. We didn't feel hurried, aand it was fun to have Mikki sit and talk with us about the world, our smoking habit and the wonderful folks of rome. I think we settled a most of the world's problems the over a few hours and a few bottles of wine.

Mark E. Lamb in Melbourne, Fl USA 04/26/2007

Best: Miscellanea
Why: Using your book we were served Mikki's strawberry wine (excellent!!) We also met Mikki and his son Romeo. Mikki sat and talked with us on two evenings and Romeo served us all three nights. We had missed seeing you by two weeks. That would have absolutely made the trip for us if we had been able to meet and talk with you. Next Rome program we would love to see Mikki. We have Mikki and Romeo on our video cam. Also enjoyed Caffe dello Studente. We obtained a free table with your book (again) and met wonderful people.

Lee Lamb in Melbourne, FL USA 04/23/2007

Worst: Trattoria da Lucia
Why: We were seated in a back room by ourselves. Granted, we didn't have reservations, so may have been our fault. But we were certainly ignored by the server and food was just okay. It's in Trastevere.

Robin W. in Richland, WA USA 04/21/2007

Best: Osteria da Mario
Why: Close to the Pantheon. Nearly everyone eating had Rick's book on their table. The carbonara was amazing.

Worst: Ristorante Grotte del Teatro di Pompeo
Why: Food was okay, but waiter was crabby, and we were overcharged for service. Menu listed 1 Euro per person, we paid 2 Euro, and it seemed there was an extra 4 Euro on the bill that they couldn't seem to explain. There are a lot of postings for this place under the "best" section, but I am disappointed this wasn't our experience as well!

Robin W. in Richland, WA USA 04/21/2007

Best: Hostaria da Nerone
Why: My husband and I enjoyed this restaurant very much. We first ate there last year and hastened back again this year upon our return to Rome. We like to dine at restaurants favored by locals - and Nerone is such an establishment. Travelers appear to find it pleasing also. The De Santis family has owned and operated Hostaria da Nerone for over forty years and take great pride in what they prepare and serve. The menu contains a wealth of classic Roman cuisine, with perhaps a touch of Abruzzi - from whence this family came. Basic, wholesome fare. There is also a superb buffet if you prefer to browse. A nice selection of wines. And, of course, one must mention Teo - cameriere par excellence, for whom nothing is too much trouble if it pleases the diner. With its sunny yellow tablecloths and charming atmosphere, Hostaria da Nerone is a small gem in the heart of ancient Rome. Via delle Terme di Tito, within sight of the Colosseum.

Barbara Hoertz in Buford, GA USA 04/06/2007

Best: Perilli in Prati
Why: My daughter and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at this peaceful, pleasant restaurant close to the Vatican. My daughter had the BEST pizza we have ever had, and I feasted on their incredible lunch buffet, full of Tuscan delights. The staff was most pleasant (explained each item on the buffet for me) and accomodating. Dessert was divine. I would highly recommend - it was the best food we experienced in Rome.

Janet in Caille, GA USA 04/03/2007

Best: Osteria da Mario
Why: at first put off as everyone seemed to be American but our table mate turned out to be a German TV producer whose Italian counterpart recommended restaurant- great deal, excellent simple food- no 10% service tacked on either like we found was the case in so many restaurants- my husband had a beer, a first and second course meal and an excellent antipasti plate that we shared- I had a second plate and we split a liter of wine- cost: 38 Euro total which was great

Worst: Fiaschetteria
Why: A long wait to get in- nice but annoyed Italian couple were angry that their reservation lost- told us that of late the place has become very popular- we didn't mind the wait (an hour) as we sat nearby at cafe and had a drink but then the service was unfriendly and food terrible- my veal scallopine tough and tasteless- my husbands "bisteca" (steak) riddled with fat and absolutely inedible in fact--- didn't dare to try to return as Italians don't like that! not reasonably priced either- would skip for sure. oh and no English menu- which we like as it seems more "authentic" but if you prefer knowing what is on menu guess you wouldn't like that aspect

anne in abingdon, MD USA 03/27/2007

Best: Al Bric
Why: Our taxi driver had also recommended this restaurant to us as "non-touristica". Service and food was very good, portions are smaller than other restaurants, but it just leaves more room for you to try the other courses.

Worst: Osteria de Mario
Why: Service was lacking. Food was the worst we ate. Our sausage was raw in the middle and the pasta was nothing to rave about

Desiree in Clarksville, TN USA 03/14/2007

Best: tre scalini
Why: death by chocolate was delicious

Annie in Chan, NY USA 03/03/2007

Best: Da Vito e Dina
Why: It was a nice restaurant near St. Peter's. Great atmosphere and great food, especially the pasta with seafood. My wife loved the spinach ravioli. It is on Via degli Scipioni - a couple of blocks from Piazza Riorgimento.

RobertC in Sandy Hook, CT USA 02/28/2007

Best: Il Gabriello
Why: Hands down, the best experiences of our two-week stay. After eating there our second night in Rome, we cancelled our New Year's Eve reservation elsewhere. The nine course meal was wonderful. Then at 11:30, as we were preparing to go outside for the fireworks, Claudio said "no, no, stay for party." Just before midnight, the guest who remained had a bottle of sparkling delivered to their tables--Claudio counted down and we popped the corks. Then we heard an Italian tenor singing; the "party" was their family's celebration with family members playing the guitar and singing. It was one of our most memorable New Year's Eve. Oh, yes, on our last night in Rome we returned for "Claudio's extravaganza" with a warm welcome from Claudio and staff and a third marvelous dining experience.

James in Biddle, OH USA 01/12/2007

Best: Ristorante Enoteca Corsi (near the Pantheon)
Why: After reading about it in the RS guide and reading that Rachael Ray loves it and eats there every time she's in Rome, we had to try it. We were served by beautiful, gracious Manuela. Without a doubt, this had to be our best meal in Italy. The aromas of the day's specials were killer as we walked in...the food was the best we had in Italy. Great prices, cozy atmosphere...a MUST for lunch (no dinners)in Rome. Rick Steves calls it "a supurb value"-absolutely true.

Worst: Miscellanea
Why: Maybe we were just there on an off night or we ordered the wrong foods...but the food was just not very good. My daughter thought her ravioli tasted just like it was out of a can. No one in our group of 4 had an enjoyable meal. On the (only) plus side, they did give us each (even my 14 year old!!!...no ID wanted ever wanted in Italy!!!) a glass of free dessert wine at the end of our meal.

Terry in Bend, OR USA 01/10/2007