Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 06 361 14 26; Piazza del Popolo 1; meals €90; Tue-Sun, closed Aug; Flaminio)
The moneyed and
models mingle at this historically chic restaurant. Dine inside, surrounded by wood panel-
ling and exotic flowers, or outside, people-watching with views over Piazza del Popolo.
As the name suggests, Emilia-Romagna dishes are the name of the game; everything is
good, but try the tortellini in soup, tagliatelle with
ragú
, or the damn fine fillet steak.
West of Via del Corso
IL GELATO€
(Piazza Monte d'Oro 91 ; from €2; Via del Corso)
Claudio Torcè, the artisanal, all-natural, superbly
creative gelato maker, has revolutionised the ice-cream scene in Rome. Seek this place out
to try out his glorious range of imaginative flavours. These range from eight different
types of chocolate to more curious creations such as celery, wasabi, or gorgonzola with
pear. You can ask to taste before committing to a whole cup/cone.
GELATO
'GUSTO€
( 06 322 62 73; Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9; pizzas €7-10; Via del Corso)
Once a mould-breaking
warehouse-style gastronomic complex - all exposed-brickwork and industrial chic -
'Gusto is still buzzing after all these years. It's a great place to sit on the terrace, but it's
more about the atmosphere and location than the Neapolitan-style pizzas or the upmarket
restaurant fare, which receives mixed reports. There are several more offshoots dotted
around the square, including an
osteria/formaggeria
and cafe. Service can be slow.
RISTORANTE
ROME'S OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Aptly for such a theatrical city, Rome contains some magical visual tricks. Overlooking Piazza del Popolo, there
are the seemingly twin churches: constructed to look identical while occupying different-sized sites. Then, there's
Borromini's perspective-defying corridor at Palazzo Spada (
Click here
), Andrea Pozzo's amazing trompe l'œil
at the Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola (
Click here
) and the secret keyhole view from Piazza dei Cavalieri di
Malta (
Click here
). Strangest of all is the view of St Peter's dome from Via Piccolomini near Villa Doria
Pamphilj (
Click here
). Here the dome looms, filling the space at the end of the road, framed by trees. But the
really curious thing is that as you move towards the cupola it seems to get smaller rather than larger as the view
widens.
