First meal in Rome, Sunday lunch, somewhere between the Vatican and Campo de' Fiori

[melinitaly]

Hello,
This site is becoming my best friend and worst enemy! It is an endless resource of information on restaurants in Rome, but I am at the point in my trip planning where I am getting overwhelmed. So, I thought I'd at least start with our first meal and take it from there.
I live in Naples and am traveling to Rome for 3 nights starting Sunday with my son (14, great restaurant goer) and parents visiting from New York. My mother can get around OK, but I don't want to overdo it on her first day in Rome. I plan on visiting the Vatican on Sunday until about 1pm. We are staying in Campo de' Fiori on Via del Pellegrino.
I'd ideally like to find somewhere to sit and have a great, traditional Roman lunch between the two or not too far from either. Is this possible on a Sunday afternoon?
I'm thinking possibly La Campana or Settimio al Pelligrino. Hosteria L'Orso 80 has caught my eye as well for the antipasto.
Thank you!

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT

[melinitaly]

Thank you two for your suggestions. I think La Campana and Pierluigi both look wonderful and fall right in line with the meal that I am looking for.
I would welcome any help on making this decision.

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT

Pierluigi
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

[steve h.]

Pierluigi is in your neighborhood (Via di Monserrato). It's been around awhile. They finished a modest building refresh last month. It's good for families, especially on a Sunday.

[jen kalb]

Havent seen any recent reports on Pierluigi. what do they do well?

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Pierluigi
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

[steve h.]

Seafood is their specialty. Their pounded octopus is a signature dish (app). The pastas are quite good and the wine list satisfying although not at the same level as Casa Bleve or Al Bric. Surprising to me is the excellent steak that comes out of the kitchen.

Bureaucrats (both French and Italian) flock to this place Tuesday through Friday for lunch. Tourists generally show up for early supper, locals pop in at a more respectable hour. Sunday lunch is a family affair. A reservation is a good idea. An outdoor table in the pretty piazza on a sunny day works for me.

Pierluigi is in my neighborhood. We show up from time-to-time and always enjoy our meals. I don't consider it fine dining. I do consider it good-to-very-good dining.

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Casa Bleve
Via del Teatro Valle, 49, Roma 00186, IT

Al Bric
Via Del Pellegrino, 51, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

Pierluigi
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

[jen kalb]

thanks Steve!

[Splendid Spatula]

Ditto, I'm adding this to our list (which is now far too long for our one week stay!)

[melinitaly]

I am going to go with La Campana for lunch on Sunday. Reservations are confirmed.
I am planning on Pierluigi for lunch or dinner on Tuesday at this moment, but haven't reserved anything yet.
Splendid Spatula, I've enjoyed looking at your list and choices. We will be neighbors although, I will be there a week before, I think. We get in to town this coming Sunday, the 10th.
Thank you all for your help!

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT

Pierluigi
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

[vinoroma]

Just don't let yourself be talked into drinking a Barolo with the seafood at PierLuigi :) Sorry, I am a sommelier and rather touchy with such stuff, as was reported here I think about a year ago. If you are going with seafood, which they do well, than please let them choose a nice white wine or at least an appropriate red wine for you!

[steve h.]

lol! I remember that Barolo thread. I had my doubts about the poster's veracity. I had no doubts about the poster's lack of experience.

[il Trifulau]

Who the heck drinks a Barolo with seafood? Was there really a thread on this?

[vinoroma]

Search "pierluigi barolo" on this board and you'll find it.was about a year ago maybe...

[Splendid Spatula]

And we are at la Campana for dinner on Sunday! I love all of these discussions, it is a pleasant diversion. Looking forward to it all.

[vvvindaloo]

I second Pierluigi. In fact, I responded to this post with the intention of recommending it. They are a pretty popular spot for Sunday lunch (and dinner) and have a knack for pleasing locals and tourists, alike.

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Pierluigi
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

[vinoroma]

Stay away from hostraia orso, it is vile. Settimio is great, but only after you become a regular, not that great if you are taking parent from nyc and trying to impress them a bit. I'd go for la campana, but reserve asap, it is very much loved for sunday lunches!