Rome with teenagers over spring break,any restaurant suggestions??

[TTabb]

I will be traveling to Florence and Rome with my two teenage daughters,my husband and my mother over spring break (March and April). I have been researching many restaurants and can't decide which ones to go to. I think we have Florence figured out but these are the Rome restaurant that we are trying to choose between for dinner;

• Tavernetta 48" located on Via degli Spagnioli
• Antica Taverna Via Monte Giordano,12 Tel [phone](near Piazza Navona)
• Enoteca Corsi Via del Gesu 87/88Rome, 00186ItalyTel: 39 06-679-0821
• Cavour 313(near the Colosseum)
DAR PALLARO - Largo del Pallaro
MARGUTTA
• *Il Sorriso in Rome (Via Flavia 63-65)
• *Hostaria Farnese (Via Ballauri ( Campo di Fiori)
• Gino in Vicolo Rosini (a little side street near Parliament)
• Da Vito e Dina, 50 Via degli Scipioni.
• Armando al Pantheon http://www.armandoalpantheon.it/home.php
• Matricianella - near the Spanish Steps
• Ditirambo:

I would love to hear from someone that has tried these restaurants.

Thanks for your help.
Teri

[zerlina]

I’ve eaten at five of them. Margutta Vegetariano (there is also one called Osteria Margutta) is fairly pricey; Hostaria Farnese’s prices were quite a bit higher when I went there alone than when I went with Roman “regulars” (a not uncommon occurrence in Rome); Gino in Vicolo Rosini was fine at lunch but I’ve heard they do two sittings at dinner; Armando al Pantheon is probably my favourite of the five; Matricianella is good for fritti but fairly touristy.

Most of the restaurants you mention are in the historic center; I’m not sure the others (Il Sorriso and Da Vito e Dina) would be worth going out of your way for, and Cavour 313 is a wine bar rather than a restaurant. Enoteca Corsi only serves lunch. Der Pallaro does an inexpensive “all-inclusive” thing that I’ve consciously avoided.

Wherever you decide to go, you would be well advised to make reservations, particularly for five people.

[TTabb]

zerlina, thank you for your reply. Margutta is a vegitarian restaurant near the Spanish Steps recommended by our guide for the Jewish ghetto. She also recommended Dar Pallaro. Do you have other suggestions near the Spanish steps/ Trevi Fountain and Piazza Novana /Piazza della Rotunda? I would love some other suggestions.
Teri

[chocolatstiletto]

Margutta is lovely and the brunch (especially with all the desserts on weekends!) was well worth it, I thought. It's also quite a pretty place, although a little tucked away on one of the more adorable swish streets off the Via Condotti. It is all vegetarian, which my companion and I were totally psyched about, but there are loads of substantial egg/pasta/grain dishes that I should imagine everyone would be satisfied. If not there's always dessert! Reservation definitely recommended though.

Cavour 313 is a wine bar- I never made it there but I did love Cul de Sac just off the Corso Vittorio Emmanuale. Just a caution though that Cul de Sac doesn't take reservations, which might be an issue with a larger party, and if you're not comfortable with your daughters drinking then perhaps pass. But I do recommend it for a great light dinner or lunch.

You also might want to look at Salotto 42, which is a little cafe in front of the Temple of Hadrian. It's run by an ex-Swedish model and stocked with the best fashion magazines and artsy publications from around the world, there's a brunch thing on weekends that's usually Swedish inspired and I thought quite nice to laze at for a couple hours with friends.

And definitely do a taste test of gelato- San Crispino and the riso alla cannella at Alberto Pica's won my vote but have fun exploring!

[CJT]

A short walk up the hill from Spanish Steps is a restaurant I always recommend and have never been disappointed at. It should provide ample food for all of you at a very reasonable price (considering Rome prices and the Euro value):
-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 pastas in 3 different sauces, secundo is a large chunk of roast veal with potatoes and other items (you can substitute for another meat, such as beef). Dessert is also offered. House wine is good and can be had in ½ or full liter pitchers, in white or red. This meal, with carafes of their house wines, will generally cost about 35 Euros per person.

[TTabb]

CJT,
Thank you for your recommendation, it sounds delicious and a great value!