TASTE OF SICILY IN ROME and other Rome, Italy Restaurant Reviews

INVOLTINI ALLA ROMANA

Restaurant Name: CUL DE SAC

Cul de Sac is a wine bar, salami and cheese location with as they put it "Specialita Gastronomiche Artigianali", I just call it the italian dishes I was looking for. Outdoor seating in a crowded area, where every table enjoys the conversation of the other table, you even start up conversations with the other tables. Hey, when in Rome, do as the Romans. Crowds walk by, coming from Piazza Navona, and that adds to the excitement of the area. Not quiet, but fun noisey. Many fine wines on the wine list and many at reasonable prices. Alert and fast acting waitstaff helps to have a truly comforting meal.

Favorite Dish: To die for, the "Involtini", done alla romana, which is almost as good as the sicilian style alla rustica. What is Involtini? Well, as my grandma would say "Braciole" that she made for special occasions, which when in Sicily, my grandma's place of birth, the restaurants called it by "Involtini".

A wonderful dish of thin sliced veal that is about 4 inches long by 2 inches wide, rolled around a mixture of whatever, be it cheese, cuts of salami, vegetables and brushed in olive oil, then dipped in a breadcrumb mix of parsley, garlic, grated pecorino cheese, pepper, and salt. Placing about four of these roll-ups on a wooden stick skewer and then frying them in a pan with olive oil. Mama Mia! It is one of my favorite dishes to make and to Mangi (eat). So, Cul de Sac came through with a great tasting "Involtini alla Romana". Ciao.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Phone: 06/68801094
Address: Piazza Pasquino, 73
Directions: If you are at the square end of Piazza Navona facing the other end, look down the small side street on your left, and you will see it.
Website: http://web.tiscali.it/culdesac/

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Mimi e Coco: NEIGHBORHOOD VINOTECA

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on Nov 11, 2008

GOING, GOING, SOON GONE

Restaurant Name: MIMI e COCO

Located near Piazza Pasquino, just around the corner from the more famous Piazza Navona sits Mimi e Coco. Outdoor tables, inside tables, and a bar make up this cozy lunch and supper cafe. The ambience is warm and the waitstaff will strike up a conversation at the click of a wine glass.

You get the feel of a residential neighborhood cafe with many local residents sitting down to an espresso or glass of vino. Food offerings are varied but the pizza is pure roman squisito (delicious).

Favorite Dish: I was hooked on Pizza, but the wine choices are good as well. Like a tourist, I craved one of the t-shirts the waitstaff were wearing and yes they do sell them. Yes, I did buy one.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
Phone: 06 68 21 08 45
Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 72
Directions: Near Piazza Pasquino

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Ciccia Bomba: INTIMATE FOR VT FRIENDS

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on Jun 22, 2008

COZY CICCIA BOMBA

by travelgourmet , 3 more photos

Restaurant Name: CICCIA BOMBA

A small ristorante-pizzeria by Roman standards, but the waitstaff let you have the table till closing, if you want. The food is average for Rome, because the culinary skills of the top chefs in Rome make most of the smaller restaurants food seem common, but a good meal is still to be had here.

It is the chance meeting or planned meeting of friends that warms the interior of Ciccia Bomba and a good meeting place for those planning to visit Piazza Navona but don't want to pay the high prices for a meal. My wife and I met fellow VTers Ciambella, a dynamite duo of Nathalie and Charles, for a little get together of merryment and cheer.

Favorite Dish: Sorry, but to be honest, after the first glass of wine at the restaurant, after wine at my B & B with fellow Vters Ciambella, I can't recall what I dined on. I have the receipt that says we all ate something, but I don't recall what dishes I ordered. lol. As for satisfied, must have been, because we were all laughing and enjoying each others company. That made it a great experience for both my wife and me. Thanks Nathalie and Charles, and "Tony" too,as well as Dennis the Dentist, the brother-in-law of Giampiero who owns the B&B Navona Gallery Suites, where my wife Sue and I stayed while in Rome.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Phone: 06.68.80.21.08
Address: Via Governo Vecchio, 76 Roma 00186
Directions: In Piazza Pasquino, near Piazza Navona

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Alfredo alla Scrofa: THE ORIGINAL FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

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on Oct 31, 2008

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL

Restaurant Name: RISTORANTE ALFREDO ALLA VIA DELLA SCROFA

Looking for the original taste of "Fettuccine Alfredo"? It's right here in the old city centre and it's called, what else, "Alfredo". Started in the early 1900's by Alfredo and then the Alfredo sauce passed on to the Mozzetti family in 1943 and still owned by the third generation, Mario Mazzetti, who is taking the restaurant into modern times with the memory of the past.

You get the feel of old Hollywood and the pictures of the many celebrities with autographs and now with the updated Alfredo's Gallery of photos of people of every walk of life, from government heads to ordinary people, Mario is still creating excellence in the kitchen with many gourmet dishes to choose that will satisfy your palate. But, and the big but, is that you must try the "Fettuccine Alfredo".

Favorite Dish: The "Fettuccine Alfredo". You haven't had this dish until you try it at Alfredo's. Mama Mia, it is so rich that I almost didn't finish the portion and it is only the primo course. Great taste and most likely very fattening but you are in Roma and you will walk it off at the nearby Piazza Navona. Remember, a full meal is the antipasto (cold cuts, cheese, olives), primo ( usually a pasta dish), secondo (the main course, (meat, fish, or specialty), and if you have room, dessert. Ah Roma, where else can you eat to your heart's content and not gain weight.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
Phone: +39 06.68806163
Address: Via della Scrofa 104/A 00186 Roma
Directions: Two blocks walk from the Piazza Navona.
Website: http://www.alfredoallascrofa.com/storia_en.asp
Other Contact: www.alfredosgallery.com

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Tre Scalini: COFFEE BAR, GELATO, AND FINE DINING

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on Oct 31, 2008

TARTUFO REIGNS SUPREME

Restaurant Name: TRE SCALINI

Located in the middle of Piazza Navona, Tre Scalini has been a favorite of mine over the years. Eating outdoors in the piazza costs a little more than inside but the people watching is wonderful along with the sights and sounds of the piazza.

Many fine dishes are available and the wait staff waits until you signal them to order or pay the bill. Remember that you must call the wait staff as they do not like to disturb you while enjoying your food. They are not rude but respectful. Next door is their Mokarabia coffee bar and gelato parlor, so if the price is too steep at the ristorante then try the coffee bar.

Favorite Dish: Dessert is the main course here. Their signature dish, Tartufo, an ice cream decadent treat with a surprise, is not to be missed.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
Phone: 39 066879148
Address: Piazza Navona 30
Directions: In Piazza Navona

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La Piazzetta: PIZZA, PIZZA, PIZZA

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on Oct 31, 2008

DOWN HOME COOKING, ITALIAN STYLE