Don't Miss the Seafood Dining! and other Rome, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Ristorante Costa Smeralda da Archille

Everybody gets to have the same wine, anti pasto, first plate, second plate, sherbet, dessert and liquor... Suprisingly, this is what the place is famous for!!! One would have a taste of truely Italian seafood (Sardegnan specialty infact!) dining... Hmmm Molto Bene!!!

Fixed menu costs €35/pax (plus tips if you wish). You can also ask for extra servings (extra bottle of wine even) if want some more without extra charge. But trust me, you have to take everything literally slowly because you might get overwhelmed with the 6 dishes of anti-pasto only and can't go on with the next plates ;-)

The place could get really crowded, so one would has to call and make reservations before coming.

Favorite Dish: Its the entire menu that I love!!! (6 kinds of Antipasto, 3 First Plates, Second Plate, wine, mineral water, sherbet, dessert and liquor included)

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 06-5591245
Address: Via R. Marcolongo 37, Roma
Directions: Via Marcolongo is parallel to Via Marconi. So, get yourself headed to that direction. At one point, turn left to any intersection along Marconi (if you're coming from the Da Gubio/Trastevere) or turn right if you're coming from the opposite direction).

Restaurant Name: Le Naumachie Ristorante Pizzeria

What makes the restaurant interesting is its location --in the middle of Tevere at Isola Tiberina. The ambience is not sassy or classy but if one is looking for fresh air, with the humming sound of the river's current, is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Favorite Dish: Try the red-bean soup, (which is actually very good for vegetarians like me). It was a complete dish in itself coz of its thick broth, and the "secret spices" that it has that I cant figure out (hoping to cook it similarly).. it gives a full taste to the mouth. It goes well with white wine also.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Isola Tiberina

Restaurant Name: Trattoria di Augusto

Just as how a trattoria is defined is how I will describe the place. It was small, crowded, full of people (and still alot of people waiting outside for their turns) but the casualness of the servers was something else. I thought everyone else were friends or relatives of the owners as everytime they leave, they gave them "baciones" (big kisses). It seemed like everyone knew everybody, and I even had to ask Alfredo if he used to frequent the place as he acted like he was a usual client. Nothing fabulous either with the presentation of the food as there was none. The server would place white table paper (seemed to me like Manila paper but dirty white in color) over your table and bring in your utensils like how you would have in your house (oh well, I thought I present my table better at home when we eat). No service at all because everyone is a family. No formality, no fuss, no expectations. What you see is what you get. Expect only that your waitress serves you like some tired mamma would bring in your plate when you are hungry.

Favorite Dish: Since Roman specialties are often destitute of sea foods, I settled for a bowl of white bean soup which was very vegetarian, and the vegetable salad dressing was something else. The food was not something of a great meal but there was something about how we dined that made the experience something else. Perhaps it was the homey ambience of the place, and for once, we were not very formal at all.

The place is also known to be a place of frequentation by a lot of local intellectuals. You bet, on the table beside us was an author of a book with his friend. I would have known as he autographed the book and gave it to his friend. Since our table were practically touching each other, I had a good look of what were written on it.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Piazza di Renzi, 15
Directions: Trastevere Area. Better ask for directions in the area as it is located in one of the hidden corners of Trastevere

Restaurant Name: Alfredo della Scrofa

This restaurant is undisputedly the home (where it was born!) of Fettucini Alfredo, the world-famous pasta created by the very first owner of the restaurant, Alfredo. For 100 years, the tradition of this pasta has been passed from generation to generation and over the years the restaurant has gained more and more fame in the international limelight. The dish is famous for the kind of fetttucini used (that melts in your mouth!) and the technique in mixing the sauce (which is just soooooo original!) which has never been altered since it was first conceived.

Pictures, testimonials, and souvenirs of international VIPs -princes & princesses, kings & queens, head of states, (including Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos!), luminaries, local and international (hollywood) celebrities, local and international politicians- adorn the walls of the restaurant.

So, feel like a VIP when you dine in the place and brush elbows with some regular reknowned clients. This is what makes Alfredo alla Scrofa a must-visit and must-dine place in Rome at least once in your lifetime.

Never mind the bill as it is part of the glamour and experience...;-)

Favorite Dish: The undisputed Fettucini Alfredo made in the place where it was born!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +0039 06.68.80.81.63
Address: Via della Scrofa 104/a, 00186, Rome - Italy
Directions: When in the Old City Centre, find your way to via della Scrofa and you'll never get lost. Best reached by foot or by taxi.
Website: http://www.alfredosgallery.com/restaurant_rome_en.asp
Other Contact: Fax +0039 06.68.64.519

Restaurant Name: Almacri

Your typical Italian pizzeria, ristorante, vineria (wine house), bisteccheria (steak house). Very casual and homey.

Favorite Dish: Their pizzas are good and try their "fiore di zucca" fritto...

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0655302214
Address: Via Portuense, 367 & Via della Magliana, 38
Website: www.almacri.it

Restaurant Name: La 'N Duja Mare

An Italian restuarant chain of Calabrese origin. We discovered it lately as a new branch opened very near our place.

I should say they are better than an average pizzeria and can be considered indeed a restaurant, with nice interior presentation and yes, great food.

Favorite Dish: Try any of their first plate. Tonnerelli, vongole, porchini e pomodori... yummy!

One thing I can say is, if it's of South Italian origin, it must be good!

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 064370025
Address: Piazza Meucci 9/10
Website: www.landuja.it

Restaurant Name: Aisha

The design is basically Egyptian with colorful curtains and lights.

Belly dancing is available on chosen night and shi-sha.

Favorite Dish: Serves a complete menu with antipasto, soup, first place, second plate and dessert.

The bean soup was real good and their couscous.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 068611334
Address: via Adolfo Venturi 14

Restaurant Name: Africa Village

This restaurant specializes Ethiopean menus though they say that if there's not much difference with regards to food in other African countries.

Watch out coz you have to eat the African way in this place - with your hands alone!

The place is nicely decorated, the chairs and tables are quite impressive, all made of wood and real authentic. I was more interested with the decors than the food to be honest.

A live band also performs while having dinner.

Favorite Dish: ...African food is a matter of taste. Perhaps mine was not akin to it. Though I should say the African bread was good.

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Theme: African
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 068270381
Address: via Nomentana 1111
Directions: it's 300 meters from the G.R.A. exit 11, heading towards the city center.

Restaurant Name: Thai Inn

They say they are a Thai restaurant but the menu has a wide selection of Indonesian, Singaporean and Chinese food. Though the interior design is very Thai. I also saw an icon of the Indian god Ganesh in one corner. So, I'll say this is an Asian restaurant first and foremost.

The spiciness of the food is quite authentic confirms that it's Asian.

Favorite Dish: All of it! This place makes me think of home in Asia!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0658203145
Address: via Federico Ozanam 92/94

Restaurant Name: Kosher in Rome

The place is kinda small but homey devoid of any pretentions. Be sure to make reservations before coming so that you'll have a seat

A variety of kosher menus are available though nothing beyond the imagination.

Favorite Dish: If you feel like having a taste of the mid-orient prepared with some religious ceremonies (of Jewish importance), visit this place.

The sauces impressed me and encouraged me to make my own - humus.

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Theme: Kosher/Halal
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 06-4404840
Address: via Livorno, 10