Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 06 679 08 96; Via della Croce 76b; meals €45; noon-midnight; Spagna)
Near the Spanish Steps,
locals and tourists alike prop up the 19th-century wooden bar, or sit at outside tables or in
the tastefully distressed interior, sampling wines by the glass, snacking on antipasti and
ordering well-priced soul food such as seasonal soups, pasta and polenta.
DA PIETRO€€
OSTERIA
( 06 320 88 16;
http://hostariadapietro.com
; Via Gesù e Maria 18; meals around €45; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat,
closed Aug; Spagna)
This is an appealing small Roman
osteria,
occupying several narrow
rooms, with patterned tiled floors, arched exposed-stone ceilings, and cheery red table-
cloths. Expect robust local cuisine, with dishes such as
saltimbocca alla romana
(veal
with prosciutto and sage) or
melanzane alla parmigiana
(layered aubergine with tomato
and ham).
FIASCHETTERIA BELTRAMME€€
(Via della Croce 39; meals €45; Spagna)
With a tiny, dark interior whose walls are covered in
paintings and sketches right up to the high ceilings, Fiaschetteria (meaning 'wine-sellers')
is a discreet, intimate, stuck-in-time place with a short menu and no telephone. Expect
fashionistas with appetites digging into traditional Roman dishes (
pasta e ceci
and so on).
TRATTORIA
OTELLO ALLA CONCORDIA €€
( 06 679 11 78; Via della Croce 81; meals €45; 12.30-3pm & 7.30-11pm Mon-Sat; Spagna)
A perenni-
al favourite with both tourists and locals, Otello is a haven near the Spanish Steps. Outside
seating is in the vine-covered courtyard of an 18th-century
palazzo,
where, if you're
lucky, you can dine in the shadow of the wisteria-covered pergola.
TRATTORIA
IL PALAZZETTO€€€
( 06 699 341 000; Via del Bottino 8; meals €75; Tue-Sun, closed Aug; Spagna)
Despite its sumptu-
ous deep-red interior, this restaurant's spangling jewel is the sun-trap shaded terrace hid-
den at the top of the Spanish Steps. It's perfect for a glass of
prosecco
(sparkling wine)
and a salad or pasta dish on a sunny day or, for more formal dining, there is a wow-factor
tasting menu. The
palazzo
also houses a wine academy and it's open as a wine bar from
4pm.
MODERN ITALIAN
NINO€€€
TUSCAN
