On the Roman food trail
> The team from international travel guide series Spotted by Locals offers insights on the best restaurants in the city
ROME, the Eternal City, has no shortage of eating options. Italian culture is well known for its family traditions, that almost always focus on food.
But, in case you’re overwhelmed by the choices available to you, or simply want to avoid the tourist traps, the Spotted by Locals team in Rome has recommend some of its favourite options.
Spotted by Locals (spottedbylocals.com) is a series of apps and blogs available on iPhone and Android devices, with up-todate tips by locals in over 60 cities in Europe and North America.
The first place on the team’s list is Flavio al Velavevodetto. This place nearly always gets five-star reviews.
It’s rightly celebrated for its delicious and traditional cooking, especially its cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino and black pepper).
But, because it’s located on a quiet street on the edge of Testaccio, it’s not often stumbled on by tourists (despite its renown).
This way, you get the great combination of a local kitchen with local patrons surrounding you.
Another popular recommendation is Ginger, a health-focused, organic restaurant located on Via Borgognona, close to the Spanish Steps, that recently received a 1.5 million (RM7.54 million) Bulgari-sponsored renovation.
If you’ve had your fill of pizza and pasta, Ginger offers refreshing palate cleanser – octopus carpaccio with lime mayonnaise, or fish with cherry tomatoes, olives, chard and oregano.
Spotted by Locals admits it can be hard to avoid the touristy restaurants around the city’s breathtaking landmarks, that all try to lure you in with promises of superior cooking or discounts.
However, near the Pantheon, good authentic meals can be found at La Ciambella. A lot of the dishes that the friendly staff serve you are Roman, made from the best ingredients, for example, lamb with fried artichokes.
Rome sports a great deal of history, astounding architecture and imposing art. However, you don’t often get to sit down among all that grandeur and enjoy a meal.
That’s not the case at La Veranda though, a restaurant in the Palazzo della Rovere, which dates back to 1480. It has impressive arched ceilings and frescos, and you’ll be hard-pressed to keep your focus on your delicious meal.
However, a large portion of the menu can be pricey. Main courses cost 26 (RM131), and might include sirloin steak with asparagus, taleggio, herbs and strawberry salad, so you might want to try its (cheaper) Sunday brunch, which starts at 15 (RM75).
Finally, one unique recommendation from Spotted by Locals is the eye-catching Soul Kitchen, where delicious dishes from Puglia are the focus of the menu, and you can make your own tiramisu.
You’ll get all the ingredients to assemble your delicious dessert; all you need to do is mix them together and wait for your creation to settle. – The Independent