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Have a look here: http://www.diningcity.com/rome/ It's an (incomplete) list of places open at Christmas and New Year's. Some restaurants have posted special menus; some only say when they're open. Maharajah on Via dei Serpenti is still listed in the Italian Yellow Pages and still has a functioning Web site. (Restaurants in Italy tend not to come and go as much as in the US.)

LA TAVERNA DEGLI AMICI aka A Tormargana, Piazza Margana 37. Seems to be recommended more for location. "typical Roman fare and an impressive wine list" Don't knock location. Oddly, it's a sort of difficult area. ROSCIOLI, Via dei Guibbonari 21, is listed as a wine and cheese shop and otherwise "a place where you can sit on a stool at the counter to enjoy an excellent meal". I thought it was a...

two places we've had good lunches in the past, in the Prati neighborhood over by the Vatican Museum are Osteria del l'Angelo (Roman Food, a slowfood rec, I think they offer a fixed price lunch) and La Isola del Pizza (pizza and more).

I've read this entire post and not found any mention of what the 9-course tasting menu at La Pergola costs (leaving out wine). Can anyone enlighten me?

I thank Jen Kalb for suggesting The Terrior Guides’ _Food, Wine, Rome_ by David Downie, 2009. . A sucker for books about Rome, I have it in hand already. The series emphasizes eating in the local tradition; in this edition, as on an unnumbered opening page, the author states that his recommendations are “unabashedly about eating and drinking the Roman way”; “reflects native sensibilities”. Occasionally I’ll post his...

Dear Joe, My husband I send a couple of weeks in Venice ever December and we have not come across Il Ritrovo, could you possible post the address. Thank-you

I should have noted above that I would also ask if I could substitute one or both of the dishes you mentioned on the current tasting menu.

I recommend you parse Downie's language carefully. He dispenses swooning praise only for a few specific spots and was (pun intended) spot on in those instances for me. As you read the book, I think you will gain a good sense of the ones he really really likes vs. the large majority which are happily included for various - sometimes odd ball - reasons. Can't comment on 1-8 except for Benito which was a dump. I saw the Downie entry,...

That was the indeed the question -- I didn't bring up the history of gnocchi. You did! The original question is why I returned to post that more than one Roman restaurant or chef who makes a specialty of serving classic Roman cuisine serve gnocchi made with semolina, as cooked up by many a Roman grandparent and great-grandparent. I think gnocchi alla Romana is a classic dish very much worth looking for in Rome, because when it is...

I think ordering the tasting menu or a la carte depends on individuals. Our general rule is that if it is the first time at a restaurant, we tend to order the tasting menu. To get the maximum enjoyment of dining at high end restaurants, it is very important to establish a dialogue with the staff. They are not there just to take ones order, bring food and pour wine but to advice, recommend and making sure one has the best dining experience....