Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
Rome's designer shopping district may be fashionista heaven, but it retains a neigh-
bourhood feel, albeit a particularly wealthy one. Lots of classy eateries are sand-
wiched between the boutiques. You have to take care choosing a restaurant around
the Trevi Fountain, as there are a lot of unexciting just-for-tourists restaurants. But
gems still sparkle among the stones, with some notable restaurants around the presid-
ential palace and parliament - Italian politicians are a discerning bunch when it
comes to dining out.
Piazza del Popolo & Around
AL GRAN SASSO€
TRATTORIA
( 06 321 48 83;
www.trattoriaalgransasso.com
; Via di Ripetta 32; mains €13; lunch & dinner Sun-Fri;
Flaminio)
The perfect lunchtime spot, this is a classic, dyed-in-the-wool trattoria serving
filling portions of old-school country cooking. It's a relaxed place with a welcoming vibe,
garish murals on the walls (strangely, often a good sign) and tasty, value-for-money food.
The fried dishes are especially good and there's fresh fish on Tuesdays and Fridays.
BUCCONE€
( 06 361 21 54; Via di Ripetta 19; meals €20; 12.30-2.30pm Mon-Sat; Flaminio)
Step in, under the
faded gilt and mirrored sign, and you'll feel as though you've gone back in time. Once a
coach house, then a tavern, this building became Buccone in the 1960s, furnished with
19th-century antiques and lined with around a thousand Italian wines. It's perfect for a light
meal, with salads, cured meats, cheeses and
torta
(cakes).
WINE BAR
PIZZA RÉ€
( 06 321 14 68; Via di Ripetta 14; pizzas €7-10; noon-midnight; Flaminio)
Part of a chain, but a
good one, this popular pizzeria offers Neapolitan-style pizzas, with thick doughy bases and
delicious, diverse toppings. The salads are fresh and the antipasti is great - try the fried
things or the
mozzarella fresca di bufala e prosciutto San Daniele
(buffalo mozzarella with
San Daniele dry-cured ham).
PIZZERIA
