Im going to rome

Having been to New Zealand (would love to go back but that flight is a killer) I know you have good, even excellent Italian restaurants so you at least know what's good (my relatives in Iowa, not so much). As for good spaghetti my husband had the same pasta ragu every night 4 nights straight in a little place with both locals and tourists which had all the charm of, well nothing to write home about. I don't think there is a "best spaghetti" in Rome. Just go to the local joints.

Perhaps not on the main piazzas...or maybe not the least expensive anyway. When one of my travel partners eats bolognese all the way through Europe, he consistently has the best meals of the group. Go figure.

Jon, it would be hard to suggest the best "pasta" place in Rome. There are SO many great spots. I would often ask the locals in my neighborhood about a restaurant I heard about across town. But like most big cities, they ate only in their neighborhood and - while they knew EVERY restaurant in a 10-block radius intimately - they knew nothing, and could care less, about restaurants halfway across town. So if you ask locals, they'll give you feedback on "the best" near their house - and they are convinced it's the best in town! Spaghetti is just one type of pasta, and they are multiple "widths/sizes" of spaghetti - just head to a pasta house or grocery store! Italian cooking is very regional, and Rome, although a big city, is no exception. To prepare yourself for eating in Rome, you might read this excellent article written by Zerlina about the different foods in Rome. We would go to different restaurants for different types of pasta (like the creamy, spinach ravioli at La Pancia Felice). Once you find a spot... you'll find yourself going back over and over.

More importantly, from this post, did you notice that the hometown of Rick Steves, has left the USA and moved to New Zealand!!!!! This post was submitted by: Jon
Edmonds, WA New Zealand

Frank II, I noticed that, but wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Perhaps Jon lives part of the year in each location???

I would ask the person behind the counter at your hotel "Where can I get the best pasta dinner in this neighborhood?" I frequently ask hotel staff for nearby restaurant recommendations and am rarely disappointed. In paris the clerk literally took me by the hand and walked me 2 blocks and up an alley to a little hole in the wall that was "all locals" and the food was great. Anyway, It's also a good way to break the ice with the hotel staff and strike up a conversation. Have fun in Rome! (P.S. -- Don't forget that in Rome restaurants aren't yet open for dinner at 5 or 6. They only start serving much later.)