<p>I visit Rome for research, not gastronomic experiences. On the other hand I’d rather eat good food than bad. The food in Rome is excellent, and very good value provided you look in the right places. You can find some earlier tips elsewhere here. They still stand today though I thought La Danesina had upped its prices somewhat and seemed a touch unfriendly. But this may be because I caught the tail end of the holiday season.&#160;</p>
<p>The Antica Taverna in Via Monte Giordano turned out to be my local during this visit, partly because my apartment was just around the corner, but also because the food is good for the most part, honest and delicious Roman fare. The fried artichokes (carciofi alla giuidia) were crisp and fresh, as was the Roman winter salad puntarelle, chicory with anchovies. We had lamb in vinegar, rabbit in white wine and saltimbocca over a number of visits, all for around seven or eight euros a plate, which is excellent value. I’d skip the house wine though and I’m not sure I’d go for fish&#160;necessarily either. Cantina del Vecchio around the corner in Coronari is just as good as ever, with excellent wine for around five or six euros a glass and free nibbles up till nine o’clock or so.</p>
<p>Now for some new places. <a class="offsite-link-inline" href="http://www.davidhewson.com/blog/2007/8/3/a-few-new-places-to-eat-in-rome.html" target="_blank">La Fiametta</a> is a very traditional restaurant near the Piazza Navona. The pizza was fantastic — true Roman style, white with spicy chicory topping in the one we tried. The penne carbonara was the best carbonara I’ve ever tasted, made with guanciale (cheek) and a touch of saffron. Very busy with Romans, and the service was a touch abrupt, but I’d certainly go back. Expect to pay under ten euros for pizza or pasta. You can find it in Piazza Fiametta 8. Open every day (I think).&#160;Tel.: (+39) 066875777.</p>
<p><a class="offsite-link-inline" href="http://www.avenue94.com/" target="_blank">Avenue 94</a> is new to me, in Via dell’Arco del Monte 94, between the Campo de’ Fiori and the Via Arenula. It’s a trendy wine bar and restaurant with lots of room and live music and events too. Anyone on a budget ought to consider the lunchtime special. Two courses for eight euros or three for thirteen, including a quarter litre of wine or water. I had lovely home made gnocchi with ragu followed by fresh mussels in pepper sauce with a contorno of spinach. It was a lot of food, too much to be honest. Most of the regulars go for two courses which is probably sensible. Very acceptable fresh grub though, but I wouldn’t expect too much of the house wine.</p>
<p>Finally back on the aperitivi front — places that hand out free early evening food. Friends is a modern bar with two homes (at least), one in the Piazza Trilussa by the Ponte Sisto footbridge in Trastevere, the other in Via Della Scrofa, just north of the Piazza Navona and Pantheon. I’ve never found the Trastevere branch particularly friendly, but the Via Scrofa one always looks pleased to see you. There’s a wide selection of reasonably priced drinks and in the early evening stacks of free snacks on the bar. If you’re hard up you could have one glass of wine each here and in the nearby Cantina del Vecchio and enjoy a decent tapas-style meal for as little as ten euros.&#160;</p>