Livingvenice and Jen Kalb, THANK YOU. You have told me what I hoped for, that the local folks dine more simply, drink the house wines, and don't splurge for everyday dining at the "gourmet" places. I understand the lack of "gush"; we use the same for our favorite everyday places, only expanding for the "special event" places, or to contradict a negative review, if we thing the negative was unjustified. We are re-visiting the recommendations given previously, and so will make (hopefully) good choices. Sorry if I seemed snippy; I have seen so many contradictory reviews of all the places, I'll admit to becoming frustrated.
We look forward to a lovely visit in Rome.

I read the "quick list" of restaurants, and I honestly haven't ever heard anyone sound so disinterested in the topic. I understand that these are names she's throwing out, and I should go to their sites and see what people think of them, but really...she sounds so discouraging about all of them, I couldn't get up the enthusiasm. She says of one that the seats are uncomfortable and she doesn't go there. Why, then, was she suggesting it? Sorry.

I appreciate your critique of my list of "possibles". I would really like to see restaurants that you would recommend. We like good food, and are willing to use taxis if necessary. We prefer not to be with all the other tourists. Thanks for your help.

Thank you for your kind response, and for your honesty. We are making an effort to avoid the "touristy" places, and expected that Babbette would be so, given its location. "Touristy" doesn't always mean bad food, though, just more tourists. I have places at home that only locals go to, but some of the popular (where vacationers go) places offer excellent food and pleasant service. I'm trying for a balance.
Thanks again for your kindness.

I looked in the "upper right hand corner" and the restaurants I want to know about are not discussed in much detail. I understand that I am relying on more "Americanized" or touristy sites for recommendations. Didn't know that I would insult Zerlina by requesting local info on restaurants discovered that way. Sorry. Chowhound in the US is more accommodating to requests like this, even if they are saying they don't like the particular restaurants...at least they say why, and recommend something else.

I read "Foodie in Rome", and none of the restaurants I was considering were included in the discussions. I would love to hear about:
L'Orso 80; Osteria de Memmo; Ristorante Tema; Babbette; Alla Rampa; Ristorante al Duello; L'Opera Wine Bar; Casa Coppelle.
Thank you so much for any information you can offer. I've checked Zagat also, and found nothing; our trip is coming up soon, and we're trying to plan ahead. Some of these places were recommended to us, but we're not too sure about the source's opinions. We're trying to stay away from the places listed as "VE" or "$$$$$$".

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L'Orso 80
Via dell'Orso,80, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

Am looking for info on the following restaurants in Sorrento:
Ristorante del Fino
La Tavernetta
La Vineria Bollicine

Thank you for your help.

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La Tavernetta
Contrada Azzurria,, Gerace, Calabria 89040, IT

I've been following this thread carefully, and wonder if you might comment on a few places that have been recommended to us for our upcoming trip:
Osteria de Memme/Santori; Ristorante Santa ristina al Quirinale; Ristorante Tema; Casa Coppelle; Ristorante il Gabriello; Babette; Trattoria Lilli
Sorry it's an extensive list, but we're in the "fact-gathering" stage right now. We want good food, decent atmosphere (not filled with tourists), and they don't have to have Michellin stars, just pleasant people.
Thanks for any info.

mninj

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Trattoria Lilli
Via di Tor di Nona,23, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

Elizabeth...now that you've eliminated (!) the places that the celebs visit, what would you recommend for two couples visiting Rome in September? We don't want to drop a small fortune, and prefer places "locals" would go for a nice evening out (or even for a casual evening out!)...We will have four dinners in Rome.
Thanks for your advice.

Did it once, at Daniel...two of us, ordering totally different food, and sampling each other's across the table. Love wine, but never realized how a perfectly matched wine could affect the flavor of the food, and vice versa. That's something you cannot get if you have a bottle of a single wine to go with two separate appetizers and a main dish. The wine choices were, of course, wines we'd never heard of and probably couldn't find in a shop, but it sure made the difference... we're still talking about it!

Have you considered Compass? It's a slightly longer walk, but they're REALLY good about reservations, and the food there has always been quite good.

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Compass
208 West 70th Street, New York, NY 10023

Trying to find a spot that will fill the tummy without emptying the wallet. Trying to stay carb-light, so don't want a noodle shop. Everything over there seems really $$$$. Are there any decent places that are less so?
Thanks.

Thanks for the info. We're also looking (if the crabs aren't available) for crabcakes or other "B'more" kind of stuff...we've got a lot of Italian places here, so that's not something we would need. Fells Point sounds like it has a lot of choices, but we'll put Pazo on the list.

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Pazo Restaurant
1425 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21201

We will be staying in the Inner Harbor area, but driving isn't a problem (not as far as DC, please).
Need recommendations for lunches and dinners...know crabs are out of season, but still would like to try our hand at cracking a few. Don't want to break the bank, though, if possible.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks

I gave it only 4 stars because NOBODY gets 5!. We went because of the glowing recommendations; we look forward to taking our friends (one at a time, so we can go more!) so this lovely gem will not falter in this stinky economy. Went on a Saturday night, and they weren't crowded, but given the reasonable prices and incredible food and service, they should have had a line standing outside.
It's worth the drive from just about anywhere...follow the above recommendations, or just try anything Svetlana suggests. Don't think there's a loser on the menu!