Spaghetti of the 100 Sauces and other Rome, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: L'Archetto di Fontana di Trevi

I'd read so many good reviews about L'archetto and all of them were spot on - we had a great meal here!! As others have mentioned, this little gem's specialty is spaghetti. Just spaghetti. With 100+ different sauces to choose from. The menu was in English (yes, I KNOW that's supposed to scream Tourist Trap but this is an exception) and prices are very reasonable for the amount and quality - no skimpy portions here. My pasta was perfectly al dente with just enough quattro formaggi sauce to coat the noodles vs swim in it. Heaven. 2 entrees and a couple half carafes of wine came to the bargain price (for Rome) about 35 euro with tip. Busy but friendly waitstaff and closed on Mondays. Very highly recommended.

You can choose from indoor or outdoor seating. We chose the street, as it was such a nice night, and had some fun dinner conversation with a neighboring couple from Vietnam/China. It also had its interesting moments as a "street" in Italy can be the width of a Fiat so the occasional motorscooter or tiny little car went flying by within inches of your noodles.

Favorite Dish: Pick your favorite sauce and it'll be good.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 39 06 67.89.064
Address: Via dell'Archetto 26, 00187 Roma
Directions: A block from Trevi Fountain

Restaurant Name: San Marco (Pizzeria)

I'd seen some good reviews of San Marco and it was close to our hotel so we gave it a go. Glad we did! It was a really nice place with warm, comfortable ambiance, helpful waitstaff and terrific wood-fired, thin-crusted pizza. Really terrific. I think I've read that it's been around for 50 years so no flash in the pan. It was a balmy, beautiful evening so we chose a table outside and, as the restaurant is on a side street, were a little removed from the traffic on busy Via Cola di Rienzo.

As I mentioned in my Italy tips, it's customary to order a whole pizza per person unless sharing as an appetizer. No problem - many Italian pizzas tend to be thinner and less overloaded than American versions. If traveling with companions, it also allows you to sample more than one type. When we told our waiter we'd be doing that very thing, he cheerfully offered to bring our orders pre-halved. Nice! As is also the custom in Italy, your pizza will likely be served uncut - as it was here.

A couple nice glasses of wine and we were happy campers. They also serve appetizers, salads, calzones and main dishes. Great place - check it out if in the Prati/Vatican area.

Favorite Dish: Pizza. We had a 4-cheese (quattro formaggi) and I can't remember the other kind but they were both yummy.

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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +39 6 323 5596
Address: 29 Via Tacito, Rome, 00193
Directions: Right off of Via Cola di Rienzo in the Prati area. It's just a few blocks from Castel Sant'Angelo.

Restaurant Name: I'Insalata Ricca

L'Insalata Ricca is a popular chain of eateries in Rome and before you gasp in horror ("You ate at a CHAIN???") these lovely little trattorias are a far cry from Olive Garden. Insalata Ricca means "rich salad" - there are a bunch of them of the menu and they're rumored to be very large, very fresh and very good. We didn't have one - go figure. Winding up here at the end of a long, last day in Rome, we had an appetizer, a secondi apiece, and some lively dinner conversation with a couple of astronomers from the States - who, by the way, said they ate here often as it was always good.

If I remember correctly, Jerry had fork-tender Bistecca di manzo - beef in a traditional sweet and sour sauce. I had salmon baked in parchment with vegetables - a little on the fishy side but also good. Both entrees were very reasonably priced, wines were inexpensive and good, and the place was packed with locals and tourists alike. The menu includes salads (of course), pasta, pizza, fish and a few meat dishes. Don't eat anything that moos or clucks? Not to worry - their many meatless offerings make it a good choice for vegetarians.

The website lists all locations - we ate outside at the one on Piazza Pasquino, 72, just a little southwest of Piazza Navona.

Favorite Dish: Nothing in particular- we read many recos based on quality of food and reasonable price. Our total bill was under 50 euro (appetizer, two entrees and wine) but I'm not posting a PP price based on ever-changing exchange rates.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 0639730387
Address: Multiple locations - see website
Website: http://www.linsalataricca.it