Worth the Wait and other Rome, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Baffetto's

Baffetto's is written up in many a Guide Book -- which is usually the kiss of death to me. However, the pizza and atmosphere more than live up to the reputation. I have been going here for years and it is one of two of my must stop restaurants in Rome -- I won't be devulging the other, because it is still unknown to tourists.

Baffetto's is small, so if you enter as a couple, you may be seated at a table that another couple or family is sitting at. This unique dining experience is just one reason to love Baffetto's -- the pizza is the other. The pizza is amazing and remains dirt cheap.

Favorite Dish: A plain margarita pizza will serve you just fine -- taste the freshness of the ingredients and don't be overpowered by loads of toppings. A carafe of the house wine will be refilled a few times as you dine with your newest best friends swapping stories of bella Roma.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Pizza
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Via del Governo Vecchio 114
Directions: Just outside Piazza Navona on your way to the Vatican

Restaurant Name: il Brillo Parlante

A colleague in Rome recommended this restaurant -- and for good reason! I am always weary of restaurants in the "touristy" parts of cities, but this one may have me rethinking my position.

I only wish I hadn't had such a big lunch earlier in the day. I skipped the primi and went straight for a secondi of chicken and lemons with a side of roasted potatoes. The food was very good and prices very reasonable for the area.

The decor and atmosphere of the restaurant was fine, but a little pristine for my tastes. My colleague's wife ordered the wine and I wish I had gotten the name of it. It was superb...sorry I can't help with the name, though. Maybe you can keep trying them all!


Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: +39 06 3243334
Address: via della Fontanelle, 12
Directions: Located near piazza de Popolo
Website: http://www.ilbrilloparlante.com/ (coming soon)

Restaurant Name: Guerri's

Our hosts treated us to lunch and dessert was provided by Guerri's. By far and away, the best pastries I have ever tasted. Everthing was fresh and delcious, not overly sweet and just an absoulte art.

We had some pistachio cream filled puff pastries, Sicilian cassatas and other assorted delights.

Favorite Dish: I am not big on pistachios, but the pistachio cream pastries were unbelievable.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Bakery

Phone: 06 6624619
Address: via G. de Camillis 7a
Directions: near Cornelia Metro station (linea A)
Other Contact: fax 06 6632107

Restaurant Name: Sicilia...ndo

Sicilia...ndo is a new Sicilian restaurant just south of Piazza di Spagna in Rome. I was looking for a good Sicilian restaurant where I could re-engage with the tastes of my childhood. While I didn't get what I was looking for, I did discover a nice, upscale restaurant with a beautiful terrace dining area. I was hoping to find some dishes that I grew up with, eggplant, putanesca, giambotta, etc -- the peasant food of my parents and grandparents. Instead, Sicialia...ndo is more upscale, and caters to a more "advanced palate." The food was excellent. We started with two appetizers - stewed mussels (very tasty, good portion sized, but mussel meat was small) and mixed fried Sicilian appetizer (tasty, good variation, well presented). After that, my friend got the vermicelli (al dente and tasty as can be) and I opted for the sword fish roulade (extremely tasty, but cold in a few spots). The restaurant caters to the leisurely dining experience, bu we were being a bit of the ugly American as we wished to eat and run out for some night time sightseeing. If you have the tme and wish to spend a leisurely romantic meal, this is a good choice.

Favorite Dish: The swordfish roulade was very good, but I was a bit disappointed as it was cold in the center...perhaps it was pre-made and reheated...I certainly hope not.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: via Tomicelli 22
Directions: Head south from the Spanish Steps on via Condotti. After crossing via del Corso, Condotti becomes via Tomicelli. Sicilia...ndo is on the left halfway down the block.

Restaurant Name: Bar Gelateria

This is my favorite gelateria in Rome. Is the ice cream any better than that of any other gelateria? Probably not, but this shop, located just to the right of the Fontana di Trevi, holds special memories for me. I took my niece to Italy for her twelfth birthday and we stayed at the Hotel Trevi around the corner. Every night, after a long day of sightseeing, we would get a gelato and sit on the steps of the Fontana...talking about the day we had, the food we ate, and the sights we saw...as well as planning our next day's adventures.

So I urge all of you to find your own special place, and return often as the memories will remain and return each time.

Favorite Dish: Fior de Latte gelato

Leave a Comment

Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: on the corner of the Fontana di Trevi

Restaurant Name: Siciliainbocca

Sicily in yourr Mouth (Siciliainbocca) has three locations in Rome, but don't think of it as a chain restaurant. It is owned by two gentlemen who appear to remain committed to providing great food at reasonable prices. After trying Sicilia...ndo, we were still in search of the "peasant food" of my grandparents. I think we came a bit closer with Siciliainbocca, but even though it was not exactly peasant food, the quality and service was outstanding.

We started out with two appetizers, a hick pea pastry, and a mix of calamri, shrimp, sardines, green beas and onions lightly battered and fried. Both dishes were awesome. We then split was has to be the greatest risotto ever -- ai profundi -- with citrus. For our secondi, I opted for a mixed seafood of prawns, shrimp and swordfish, while my frend tried another mixed seafood grill (granatine). Neither of us were disappointed in the slightest. I don't know how we found the room, but we decided to splitt a negretto del passagio (almost like a tartufo) for dessert.

One note of caution -- see directions/location section below

This place was clean, service was outstanding, prices reasonable and the food was superb!

Favorite Dish: The risotto ai profundi was simply amazing.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: via Flaminia 390
Directions: #2 trolley from Flaminia Metro. At end of the line, go one block to via Flaminia. But beware...the numbers of the buildings are on both sides of the street. That is, there is a 390 on the left and a 390 on the right (a little ways up - Siciliainbocca).
Website: http://www.siciliainboccaweb.com/

Restaurant Name: Trattoria di Antonio Bassetti

This hidden restaurant in the heart of Rome is/was my favorite restaurant in the world. I have visited here 18 times since 1993 and each time was greeted with a smile and great service from a wonderful staff..the best "peasant food" in all of Rome and the best feel for what Italy and Rome is all about. This was a restaurant that was always filled with local Italians, no tourists whatsoever...and then Gourmet Magazine rated it as a hidden find in Rome. Last Monday, I went back and the place was teeming with tourists...I wanted to cry! My little hidden gem was hidden no more. The food was still great, the prices the best in town, but I only hope it stays that way.

Antonio uses fresh ingredients, makes homemade dishes, and doesn't garnish the plate with drizzle. It really is like eating at my grandmother's everytime I go there...just don't tell my grandmother.

***2 Feb 08 Update: Antonio Bassetti's is still as great as ever...hopefully when tourist season rolls around, it will remain so!*****

Favorite Dish: I have never had a bad meal at Antonio's.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Governo Vecchio 18/19
Directions: Just off Piazza Navona on the left side pass the Brazilian Embassy, get on Governo Vecchio and walk. No sign on restaurant...look for beaded curtains...closed Sundays