Page 307 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Rome

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  305

kind of sauce), pasta in brodo
(clear broth with pasta in it), pasta
al forno (baked pasta), risotto or a
substantial soup. You then move
on to the secondi, the main meat
or fish course, for which you will
usually need to order vegetables
(contorni) separately. Afterward
you have formaggi (cheeses),
frutta (fruit) or dolci (desserts).
Romans do not usually eat
cheese as well as a sweet dish. A well-stocked wine cellar at Roscioli (see p314)
Strong espresso coffee, and
perhaps a liqueur (amaro or for Saturday evening. Check the Campo de’ Fiori and the Jewish
digestivo) rounds off the meal weekly closing day if you do not Ghetto. Spagna, Veneto, and
(see p309). You may want to skip reserve. Many places are closed Around covers the heavily
the first course, or prefer to on Mondays, and Sunday trafficked areas from Piazza del
choose a salad or vegetable evening can also be difficult. Popolo to Piazza Barberini, as
dish. Pasta alone is not seen In summer try to book a well as the Quirinal Hill and the
traditionally as a full meal. shady table outside, since air gastronomically rich neigh bor-
conditioning is not universal. hood of Monti. Trastevere and
Around includes the Vatican and
Opening Times the foothills of the Janiculum as
Wheelchair Access
Restaurants are generally open well. Farther Afield covers any-
from about noon to 3pm and Rome is becoming more thing from areas just outside the
from 8pm to 11pm or later. solicitous toward those in center, like Monteverde and
The busiest times tend to be wheelchairs, but a call to the Parioli, to nearby towns like
9pm–9:30pm for dinner and restaurant in advance will help Tivoli and Fiumicino.
1pm–1:30pm at lunchtime. secure the right table. Each restaurant listed is given
Dinner is generally the preferred a cuisine category. Traditional
time for dedicated, relaxed Roman cuisine is hearty and
eating, particularly in summer. Children meat-based with lots of offal
Bars are open all day, often from Children are made very welcome, dishes, although vegetarian
the early hours, serving all kinds particularly in family-run places. dishes do exist. Modern Italian
of drinks (alcohol can be sold at You can usually order half- restaurants use traditional
any time of day) and snacks. The portions, or just ask for an extra recipes as a spring-board to
quietest month is August, when plate. High chairs (seggioloni) create new and exciting dishes
many restaurant owners take may also be available. using unexpected ingredients.
their annual vacation (shown by Every Italian region has its own
chiuso per ferie signs). local cuisine and they vary
Smoking drastically. Opt for a regional
Smoking is banned in Italian restau rant to sample these
Reserving a Table restaurants, bars, and cafés. varieties. Pizzerias abound, but
Reserving (prenotazioni) is keep in mind some serve a range
generally advisable. Sunday is of other dishes, while others offer
the main lunch date of the week Recommended nothing but the beloved dough.
Restaurants
when you should definitely The enotecas and birrerias listed
reserve; the same usually goes Every area of Rome has its own offer food to go with drinks, from
culinary delights (see Flavors of cheese platters to full meals. For
Rome pp306–7). Our restaurants an extraordinary meal, try a fine
are divided into five geograph- dining option, but be prepared
ical areas: Ancient Rome; Central for a hefty check. Inter nat ion al
Rome; Spagna, Veneto, and restaurants are great when pasta
Around; Trastevere and Around; and pizza begin to get old.
and Farther Afield. Ancient Throughout our listings,
Rome begins near the Forum, we’ve marked recommended
stretching past the Colosseum restaurants as DK Choice.
to encompass Testaccio, the We’ve highlighted these
Aventine Hill, the Lateran, and because they offer a special
the Esquiline Hill (where Termini experience – either for the
station is found). Central Rome is superb cusine, for enjoying
the very heart of town, from a particularly Italian night out,
Tables set out for alfresco dining at Piazza Navona and the Pantheon for the excellent value they
Da Giggetto (see p313) down to the river, including offer, or a combination of these.

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