New Year's Eve in Rome
We (myself, husband and 16 year old daughter) will be in Rome after Christmas and over New Year's. I have been reading and taking notes on lots of the Rome blogs on this board. Thank you in advance Rome Addict, antonio and Sid Cundiff et al. We can't wait to get there and start eating. I don't know what to do about NYE though; we hate those extremely expensive fixed price menus that most places seem to offer. Anybody got any recommendations?
Thanks.
snibbo
Nov 15, 2007 02:59PM
Ae you looking for an evening of entertainment and dinner until the midnight hour or just a great dinner? What area are you staying in? You know my favorite is Fiammetta near Navona for incredible food in a true trattoria. I have many suggestions, just need to know what type of evening you're planning. Your daughter would probably like Gusto for a festive atmosphere. My tried and true favs are Fiammetta, Le Mani in Pasta, Tavernetta 48, Trattoria Monti, alla Rampa, Coco, La Gensola, Ripa 12, Al Bric, La Fontanella, La Tartaruga, Matricianella, Cocodrillo, Nino, Maccheroni, La Luna Piena, Hostaria della Cucagna, Armando al Pantheon, Ditirambo, Abruzzi, Ambasciata di Capri (Mario & Liliana Tarantino whose father, Eduardo, owned La Savardina in Capri, Il Pagliaccio (weeping clown) on Banchi Vecchi for more upscale--Antonio Genovese from Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, etc. I've never been there for New Years but would love to. I'm sure your daughter is very excited. What I would have given to be in Roma at 16! My favorite piazza is Campo dei Fiori. Also love the Coppelle area near the Pantheon. For areas on the restaurants you've been noting, try www.ristorantidiroma.com and hit the "per zona" tab on the left and it will give you all the restaurants with their area. 2 other restaurant sites are www.diningcity.com/rome and www.toptable.co.uk/venues (then hit Rome tab). From these you can connect to their websites and view their menus. Of course, that always makes me start checking air fares!
Don't miss the sky elevator at Vittoriano for exquisite views of the seven hills.
www.romeshuttlelimousine.com for 35 E airport pick-up meeting you outside the baggage claim area with your name on a placard and travel in a Mercedes sedan cannot be beat! I use them consistently and have never been anything but pleased....can't say the same about many taxi rides.
You're going to have marvelous Holidays in Roma...Enjoy!
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Thanks for your reply, RomeAddict! We probably want a great dinner in a festive atmosphere. The trattorias sound amazing- we love food -good food- but not "fancy food". We are staying at the top of the Spanish Steps (Tridente?). Yes my daughter is excited, but so are we!
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My 2 suggestions would be Alla Rampa, steps connect to the Spanish Steps on right side or right behind the American Express office. It's fun & festive. Great vongole & osso buco. Or Matricianella at Via del Leone 2-4. Also love the Coppelle area--2 blocks behind the Pantheon; several bars/restaurants. I would cruise by all & see what appeals to you the most. You have to try Fiammetta for their wonderful eggplant parmagiana...they grill the eggplant & their red sauce is fabulous...have some for me!
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Right in the neighborhood where you will be staying (and up on the hill where you will be) is my regular recommendation: My best recommendation for quality, quantity, price, and ambience is Marcello at Via Aurora 37 between Ludovisi and Lombardo, 2 blocks in from the Via Veneto where the large hotels are. Recommended is a set meal they may suggest (if they don’t, ask your waiter for it): antipasti misti (5-6 vegetarian appetizers in large bowls from which you take what and how much you wish), primo is a platter of 3 different types of pasta in 3 different sauces, secundo is a large chunk of roast veal with potatoes and other items (veal is excellent, it will be enough for two; if you have a good deal left over, ask waiter to wrap it up and take it with you – might be enough for next day’s meal). House wine is good and can be had in ½ or full liter pitchers, in white or red. This meal for 2 with 1 liter of wine should be in the range of 70 euros. Everyone I ever recommended Marcello to who then ate there agreed with me and they even went back a second time on the same trip. Via Veneto is well-known and easy to find and Marcello is s short walk from your hotel..
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Hi, We will also be in Rome at that time. Still tossing between Venice or Rome for New Year 's Day but leaning towards Rome at the moment. We are a party of 3 with a child of 11 fussy eater unlike us who loves our food esp Italian, just wanted to know if the restaurants would be having a fixed price menu on that night? The restaurant, marcello sounds really yummy and I guess a booking is necessary? Have you tried Hilton Cavalieri's dinner?
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I would suggest getting a reservation a day or 2 before if you go to Marcello. This will let you know for sure that they are open that night. The menu I described is apparently fixed price, as we have paid about the same each time we dined there and had essentially the same menu (but the antipasti change as do the shapes of pasta and their sauces). Figure about 35 euros per adult with house wines. December 2007, we were 5 adults and this menu (with variation on the meat for one diner who did not want veal) with desserts was 185 euros for the 5 of us. We've never been disappointed eating there and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere, sometimes there is even a musician playong guitar.
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