Pegontheroad

We always go to Mass wherever we are in Europe. We try to find a service in a beautiful church with good music. It's a cultural experience that I think shouldn't be missed.

Ttabb

Has any one been to the famous restaurant under or near the spanish steps?

Vttraveler

Ttabb--I agree with gruezi that your friends were probably referring to Da giggetto when they talked about the "last restaurant on the street" in the Jewish ghetto neighborhood. It is right next to the Portica d'Ottavia ruin.

Your teen agers might enjoy the cat sanctuary at the Area Sacra dell'Argentina. at the very least it is fun to stop on the street overlooking these ruins and count the number of cats you can see lounging there.

Ttabb

Thank you Vttraveler,

I have heard of a few other recently Piperno at Via Monte de Cenci. 06 686 1113, Da Giggetto is on via del Portico d'Ottavia. 06 686 1105 and Il Portico on via del Portico d’ Ottavia.
Have you been to any of these, and do you like one more than the other?

I so appreciate everyones responses,
it is allso helpful.

Vttraveler

We stayed in an apartment on Via della Reginella which is in the ghetto neighborhood right off Piazza Mattei. We ate at both Da Giggetto and (several times) at Il Portico. The food was very good at both. Il Portico was smaller, simpler, less expensive.

Ttabb

Dear Vttraveler,
Thank you for your response, I sounds like we can't go wrong.

Doyou have another favorite dinner spot?

jeremygil

In Florence my wife and I enjoyed Yellow Bar. They have a large menu and it was very reasonable. We found it by asking around one night, we assumed all the restaurants would stay open late but we tried to find a place to let us in around 10pm and they wouldn't seat us and kept telling us to go to Yellow Bar.
We also ate at Gatto e la Volpe, small place with good food but over half the people there were American students so it wasn't really the atmosphere we were looking for.

Vttraveler

Ttabb--Just wanted to point out this recent thread with more information about the Jewish ghetto neighborhood and restaurants there
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35085076

We ate with friends at a good, simple trattoria near the Vatican, Da Vito e Dina, 50 Via degli Scipioni.

here is a thread on good relatively inexpensive restaurants mostly in Trastevere
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35031888

Where are you staying in Rome? My son really enjoyed walking around the Piazza Navonna/Piazza della Rotunda area most days we were in Rome, watching the street performers and artists there. He also liked seeing the Trevi Fountain and the Bocca della Verita and the lines of tourists posing for pictures there. Your daughters might like seeing the movie Roman Holiday before you go.

Ttabb

Dear Ttraveler,

Thank you again for your information, all very helpful. Sounds like it would be just what my girls would be interested in. People watching is always fun... I like it too.

I've been reading many threads and guide books, I can't wait to experience it all.

Ttabb

Just wondering...
Do you have to have a reservation to walk through the Borghese Gardens or just for the gallery?

We are going on a tour of the Jewish Ghetto with Micaela and she suggested the restaurant La Taverna del Ghetto. Has any one tried it?
I'm guessing it must be good if she's suggesting it.

Does anyone have a favorite restaurant by the Spanish steps?

ellenem

The Brghese Gardens are a large public park--no admission price or reservation needed.