re: Rome, Florence Eateries

Okay, my restaurant was either San Teodoro or Inroma. They are both on Via dei Fienili (off the bigger street of Via de San Teodoro). Great for lunch and even better for dinner so a wonderful way to grab a bite if you're in the neighborhood of the Forum, Palantine Hill and Circus Maximus. So, you can explore the Forum, Palantine, the Circus, the Coloseum all in a day and have some great food. Don't miss the Capitaline Museums. Some excellent sculptures in there.

Via de San Teodoro runs alongside Palantine Hill up to the forum. This is where I stayed. There's a nice little shop for your wine, cheese and meats if you're so inclined. But anyway, the restaurant was very welcoming. And every time I went, it was packed with Romans. I always found if the Romans were packing the place out, it's a very good sign when you're not only the only American but only tourist at all.

Same goes for my pizza place, La Montecarlo on Vicolo Savelli which is just off Corso Vittorio Emanuelle (it's on google maps). A favorite for tourists and Romans alike. Great pizza for a very fair price (if not cheap). There's plenty in the area to see, but really this place is worth making the point just to go there. But if you are in the area, make sure and check out the French church, there are some awesome world class Caravaggio's in there. I think it's Chiesi de St. Louis or something like that.