Rome : Eat Out In Rome

Roman cuisine is fairly simple; dishes rarely have more than a few ingredients, and meat and fish are most often baked or grilled. The typical Roman fresh pasta is fettuccine, golden egg noodles at their best with rag, a rich tomato and meat sauce. Spaghetti alia carbonara is a favorite - tossed with a sauce of egg yolk, guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino romano cheese, and lots of black pepper. Potato gnocchi, served with tomato sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan or pecorino are typical for Thursday dinner and served so at authentic Roman restaurants. The best meat on the menu is the tender abbacchio (milk-fed lamb). Light Mediterranean fish such as spigola (sea bass), triglia (red mullet), and rombo (turbot or flounder) are other menu regulars. Local cheeses are made from sheep's milk; the best known is the aged, sharp pecorino romano and fresh ricotta. Rome is famous for carciofi — artichokes - traditionally prepared alia romana (stuffed with garlic and mint and braised), or alia giudia (fried whole). Typical wines are those of the Castelli Romani, towns southeast of Rome, though most cellars stock the finest vintages from the wine producing regions of Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto.

Fine Dining

La Pergola

The best, and most romantic restaurant in Rome, is overseen by a German chef who specialises in serving cutting edge Italian food. The impressive wine list includes hard-to-find vintages — a selection that is only matched with the coffee and tea varieties in stock.

Checchino dal 1887

A typical Roman trattoria complete with clichEd vaulted ceiling, food prepared to perfection and one of the best wine cellars in the peninsula with around 40,000 bottles in stock!

Gusto

A post-modern-cum-neo-rustic atmosphere that dishes out Mediterranean delights infused with some Asian influences, 'Gusto boasts of 70 varieties of cheese, 950 vintages, and 30 types of pies in the adjoining and more boisterous pizzeria!

Sanpietrino

Named for the cobblestones that line the floor, Sanpietrino may have an old world dEcor, but the cuisine is contemporary. Seafood may dominate, but vegetarians have an interesting choice.

Osteria delVIngegno

A typically Roman wine bar that offers Italian cuisine in an eclectic garb. Try the gran tagliere platter that includes a variety of cheese, cured meat and matinated veggies or opt for the hand-rolled pasta. Vegetarians, give the buffalo-milk ricotta and grilled vegetables or pasta in Sicilian pesto a go.

Al Ceppo

One of the few and best places open on a Sunday. The menu is original, with dishes composed of seasonal ingredients, but typical Roman food such as spaghetti alia carbonara is also available. Simple grills, braised vegetables and salads arc available along with the gourmet fare.

FAST FOOD

Look out for 'Spizzico — an Italian foodie chain by Autogrill that serves everything from brioche to pizza to burgers and salad. There is one located at the Piazza del Campo next to the Palazzo Publico, but by and large Spizzico outlets can be found in most busy piazzas, shopping districts and even at airports. If a big Mac is what you crave head on to: Piazza Di Spagna, Via del Corso, Piazza Barberini, Via Nazionale, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza della Rotonda (opposite the Pantheon) and Piazza Sidney Sonnino (in Trastevere). Of course diere are several cafes to choose from that serve everything frompaninis (sandwiches) to pasta. Coffee in every form is available everywhere.