inexpensive and moderately priced cafe's in rome

Don't eat at the hotel even if it is within budget! Rome has too much to offer for that! Our favorite Roman Taverna: Antica Taverna, west of piazza navona Good seafood near Termini: Babbo's Great osteria near Vatican: Osteria della Commari Pizza everywhere but especially: Dar Poeta in Trastevere, San Marco near Via Veneto/Borghese/American Embassy, Taverna Le Coppelle near Piazza Navona Fancy dining without breaking the bank: QB near Piazza Verdi, QuarantaQuattro near via XX Settembre, La Locanda del Poeta not-too-far from the Vatican Parla Food for more ideas.

That's the problem with staying at a luxury hotel, the staff is probably going to recommend high restaurants. There are worse problems to have in life. Vivendo, the restaurant in the Grand Hotel, is one on the best fine dining restaurants in Rome. That said, even if it was within a traveler's budget it isn't the place you would dine at every night. It's the place for an event meal. Queen Energy has light, healthy meals for lunch, http://queenenergy.biz. La Bruschetta at Via Sardegna, 39 is good too. Be sure to stop at Dagnino for dessert or an afternoon snack - it's a wonderful bakery in the Galleria Esedera located across from the Grand Hotel.

Pattie, One restaurant that I've really enjoyed on a number of occasions (and isn't far from your Hotel) is Trattoria Antica Boheme. It's located on Via Napoli, just around the corner from Hotel Sonya. It's not posh gourmet food, but just good food and not too expensive (at least IMHO). I've always found the food to be good there, and judging by the photos on the walls, a large number of movie stars and the "rich & famous" have also dined there over the years. On one of my visits, I was seated beside a photo of Monica Belluci, which was nice. Another restaurant you could try in the Piazza Navona area is Ponte e Parione which is at Via Santa Maria dell' Anima (just behind the Piazza). I've found the food to be good there (mostly home made), but the service can be "variable". On one of my visits, the Server was a young lady and she was "on the ball" and provided great, cheerful service. On another occasion, I had the misfortune to be served by her male counterpart and it was quite a different experience. The service was atrocious! I would probably still return there, but will make sure I choose my seating! Buon Viaggio e Buon Appetito!