ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1027

Sat 12:00-15:30, closed Sun, no reservations possible, a block toward the Pantheon from the
Gesù Church at Via del Gesù 87, tel. [phone]).
Trattoria dal Cav. Gino, tucked away on a tiny street behind the Parliament, has been
a favorite since 1963. Photos on the wall recall the days when it was the haunt of big-time
politicians. Grandpa Gino shuffles around grating the parmesan cheese while his English-
speaking children Carla and Fabrizio serve up traditional Roman favorites and make sure
things runsmoothly.Reserve ahead, even forlunch, as you'll be packed in with savvy locals
(€8 pastas, €11 secondi, cash only, Mon-Sat 13:00-14:45 & 20:00-22:30, closed Sun, fish on
Friday, behind Piazza del Parlamento and just off Via di Campo Marzio at Vicolo Rosini 4,
tel. [phone]).
Miscellanea is run by much-loved Mikki, who's on a mission to keep foreign students
well-fed. Welcoming travelers as well as locals, he offers hearty €4 sandwiches and a long
list of €7 salads, along with pasta and other staples. Mikki (and his son Romeo) often tosses
in a fun little extra, including—if you have this topic on the table—a free glass of Mikki's
“sexy wine” (from fragoline , strawberry-flavored grapes). While basic, it's convenient and
inexpensive (daily8:00-24:00,indoor/outdoorseating, facingtherearofthePantheonatVia
della Palombella 34, tel. [phone]).
Osteria da Mario, a homey little mom-and-pop joint with a no-stress menu, serves tra-
ditionalfavoritesinafundiningroomorontablesspillingoutontoapicturesqueoldRoman
square (€8 pastas, €10 secondi, Mon-Sat 13:00-15:30 & 19:00-23:00, closed Sun; from the
Pantheon walk 2 blocks up Via del Pantheon, go left on Via delle Coppelle, and take first
right to Piazza delle Coppelle 51; tel. [phone], Marco).
Taverna le Coppelle is simple, basic, family-friendly, and inexpensive—especially for
pizza—with a checkered-tablecloth ambience (€9 pizzas, daily 12:30-15:00 & 19:30-23:30,
Via delle Coppelle 39, tel. [phone], Alfonso).
Pizzeria Florida , about four blocks south of the Pantheon, offers cheap pizza slices
and sandwiches to go (daily 10:00-22:00, Via Florida 25, across from cat sanctuary, tel.
06-6880-3236).
Picnicking Close to the Pantheon
(See “Restaurants in the Pantheon Neighborhood” map, here . )
It's fun to munch a picnic with a view of the Pantheon. (Remember to be discreet.) Here are
some options.
Antica Salumeria is an old-time alimentari (grocery store) on the Pantheon square.
While they hustle most tourists into pre-made €5 sandwiches, you can make your own pic-
nic. Find your way to the back to buy artichokes, mixed olives, bread, cheese, and meat
(daily 8:00-21:00, mobile [phone]).