Liquor Limits in Rome

Rome's mayor, Gianni Alemanno, has just issued a city-wide ban on selling alcohol "to-go" after 9 pm (supermarkets included!) and restrictions on restaurants and clubs after 2 am. A recent stabbing of a tourist in Campo dei Fiori prompted the decision which many residents had been requesting for years. It seems that not everyone in Rome is interested in staying up all night with a bottle of wine in the piazzas and narrow alleyways of Trastevere! Don't worry, you can still purchase alcohol to go-just do it before 9 pm.

David Lynch's Wine Bar Picks

Mario Batali's famous Manhattan restaurant, Babbo, is well-known not only for its terrific food, but also for its impeccable wine selection. That wine selection is thanks to David Lynch, Babbo's wine director. Lynch is an expert on Italian wines and naturally has a few favorite wine bars to visit in Rome. He includes Cul de Sac, the quintessential enoteca just off the Piazza Navona. But he recommends several more wine bars in almost every neighborhood in Rome. In the Prati (north of the Vatican) he touts Del Frate not only for its wines but also for its cheese selection. In Trastevere, trendy Ferrara is the place to visit for an "encyclopedic" wine list. If you are looking for something a little more low-key, try L'Angolo Divino just off Campo dei Fiori. Salud!

Tod's Film Takes Gwyneth to Rome to Promote Pashmy Bag

Tod's, the Milanese shoe company famed for its driving loafer, recently released a film on its website starring Gwyneth Paltrow (who has her own website now-read a review here). The film, directed by Dennis Hopper, is dedicated to a new handbag, the Pashmy, and what happens when the celebrity loses hers in Rome. Campo dei Fiori and the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati are the featured locations in this short film. Villa Aldobrandini is an incredible 17th century palace built by the nephew of Pope Clement VIII, Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini. The Villa is famous for its commanding view of the valley leading up to Rome, as well its water theater, park and Baroque wall-paintings. The Villa and the charming town of Frascati make for an excellent daytrip from Rome- and admission is free!
Watch the film here.

A Restaurant With A View-La Carbonara

One of Rome's institutions is La Carbonara in Campo dei Fiori. Contrary to popular opinion, it does not take its name from the famous egg and bacon pasta (although they do serve a mean Carbonara!). The name actually comes from the original owner who used to sell coal (a Carbonaro). When his daughter took over, she changed the name to the feminine form. The restaurant is famous not only for its traditional Roman fare, but also for its fantastic view of Campo dei Fiori and the statue of Giordano Bruno in the center of the square. You can't go wrong with the food-and you'll love the view from the restaurant's upstairs dining rooms. La Carbonara is open every day until 11:30 pm.

Whose Statue is that in the Campo dei Fiori?

The Dominican friar Giordano Bruno was burned alive as a heretic in Campo dei Fiori in 1600. The Catholic Church condemned him to this horrific death because of his radical philosophical beliefs-that the sun was the center of our circle of planets and that the universe was unlimited in its evolution. This belief, of course, contradicted the Church's assertion that the universe was created by a single deity. Galileo's discoveries 16 years later supported Bruno's beliefs, but when Galileo appeared before the Grand Inquisitor he caved in. Bruno never recanted his beliefs and paid the price. When the statue in Campo dei Fiori was erected in 1889, the Catholic Church still refused to recognize Bruno's ideas and to this day the Vatican expresses only a little regret for the friar's fate. A recent article in the New Yorker reviews a new biography of his life by Ingrid Rowland-" Giordano Bruno:Philosopher/Heretic."

L'Insalata Ricca-Casual Dining in the Heart of the Historic Center

L'Insalata Ricca, just off the Via Vittorio Emanuele near Campo dei Fiori in Largo dei Chiavari is the perfect spot for a healthy lunch during your busy day in Rome. They have an extensive menu of big salads and easy pastas all for a reasonable price (really!). You can sit outside and enjoy people watching while you dine as well. They have several locations throughout the city, including another very close site at Piazza Pasquino near Piazza Navona. They are the perfect restaurants for tourists on a budget, students in a hurry, and anyone who likes simple, delicious food. Try the Insalata Capricciosa-arugula, feta, olives and corn!

Museo Barracco-Antiquities from Around the World

Italian nobleman and archaeologist, Giovanni Barracco, donated his personal collection of antiquities to the city of Rome in the early 20th century. Included in this collection are Egyptian artifacts from 3000 BCE to the Roman period, and Mesopotamian, Cypriot, Greek and Roman objects. Sculpture is the focus of the collection, which Barracco deemed "the mother of all the arts." Today the collection is housed in the Museo Barracco at the Palazzo Farnesina, built in 1523, a lovely example of Renaissance architecture. The museum is located on Corso Vittorio Emmanuele at Via dei Baullari in the vicinity of Campo dei Fiori, the Pantheon, and Largo Argentina and is closed on Mondays.

Children's Clothing in Rome: Rachele near Campo dei Fiori

You'll definitely have to work to find this little shop nestled between Via dei Cappellari and Via del Pellegrino just off the Campo dei Fiori, but it's worth it. Here you'll find clothes for newborns to 9-year olds, all designed and handmade by the Scandinavian owner, Rachele. Everything is colorful, practical, and even whimsical-especially the crocheted hats with fanciful themes like strawberries. Rachele is located at Vicolo del Bollo 6/7 and is closed on Sundays. (Photo taken from the Civilized Shopper's Guide to Rome).

Cooking School at Renato e Luisa

Not far from the Campo dei Fiori and Largo Argentina is a restaurant that specializes in traditional Roman fare-and teaches anyone willing to learn how to make it! Renato e Luisa (Via dei Barbieri 25) is run by Renato Astrologo, a native Roman who learned the meat business from his butcher father. Renato has taken many of the old-fashioned Roman recipes and lightened them up for today's lifestyle. You can find out how to do the same on your next visit to Rome by emailing him at info@renatoeluisa.it. See a recent article in Tastes of Italia magazine for a personal account of the cooking lessons.

Ristorante Da Pancrazio-Dine Where Caesar Met His End

Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE in the Theater of Pompey. Today nothing of the Theater remains above ground, at least, nothing beyond a hint in the curve of the street where buildings were erected on the remains of the theater. But go below ground and you will be amazed. If you care to mix sightseeing with dinner (and who doesn't?) try Ristorante da Pancrazio near the Campo dei Fiori (Piazza del Biscione 92). The menu is classic Roman (carbonara, amatriciana, artichokes, antipasti) and the setting is Classical Roman, with one of its dining rooms nestled right into the ancient theater's alcoves. Be sure to make a reservation requesting a table in the theater ruins. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.

Travel and Leisure Finds the Best Sandwich in Rome

An Italian sandwich (or panino) can be a simple affair-but it is all about the bread. Travel and Leisure's May issue raves about Il Forno Roscioli on Via dei Chiavari (#34), which bakes its own white dough (pizza bianca) and puts the perfect handcrafted mortadella on it. Take your sandwich to go (lo porto via) and stroll through the nearby Campo dei Fiori. For dessert, have your pick of the gorgeous fruits for sale in the square.

Town and Country Magazine Recommends: Il San Lorenzo

There are so many restaurants in Rome. It is hard to choose from among the seemingly endless choices of tourist traps and neighborhood trattorias. If you are looking for something a little more sophisticated than the standard simple Roman fare (which is actually wonderful) try Il San Lorenzo, located at Via dei Chiavari 4-5. The April issue of Town and Country Magazine raves about the moody lighting, dark wood, and contemporary art decorating the three levels of this restaurant located near Campo dei Fiori. They also recommend ordering the catch of the day-for fish is the speciality at Il San Lorenzo.

Fontana delle Tartarughe in the Jewish Ghetto

The historically Jewish neighborhood of Rome is still today a thriving neighborhood of kosher food shops and trattorias. The center of the neighborhood is Piazza Mattei, where you will find the Fontana delle Tartarughe (Tortoise Fountain), by Taddeo Landi in 1584. The Jewish Ghetto is nestled between the Roman Forum, the Tiber River and the Campo dei Fiori, making it the perfect place to stroll or have lunch on your way from one to another. The Ghetto is famous for the carciofi alla Giudea, deep-fried artichokes. Try the restaurant Giggetto al Portico d'Ottavia, located at Via del Portico d'Ottavia 21a-22, for an authentic experience. The restaurant is right next to the ruins of the Portico Octavia, built in the 1st century BCE by the emperor Augustus.

"1,000 Places to See Before You Die:" Restaurants in Rome

The New York Times bestseller, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is more than just a checklist of famous sights and monuments. It also includes restaurant and hotel recommendations. For Rome, four restaurants were recommended by the well-known travel author, Patricia Schultz. In Trastevere she recommends the classic trattoria Da Checco er Carrettiere (Via Benedetta). For a local favorite near the Pantheon, try Da Fortunato al Pantheon (Via del Pantheon). Also near the Pantheon is La Rosetta (Via della Rosetta 8), where fresh seafood is flown in every morning and evening. Der Pallaro offers an authentic experience (without a menu!) in Campo dei Fiori (Largo del Pallaro). Buon Appetito!
1,000 Places to See Before You Die

Day and Night in Campo dei Fiori

Close to the Tiber River is a piazza known for its daily open air market. In Campo dei Fiori (the Field of Flowers) you can buy anything fresh-fruits, vegetable, flowers, even eels. It's the perfect place to pick up a snack or lunch on the go. Surrounding the piazza are a myriad of gelaterias, pizzerias, cafes and restaurants. When the sun goes down, the Campo is the backdrop for a lively Roman nightlife. The restaurants and cafes are filled with Romans and tourists, young and old, all basking in the magical light of Rome at night. Try the pasta puttanesca at Da Sergio at Vicolo delle Grotte #27.