L'Archetto

I have not been back to this restaurant in awhile but when Florian lived in the neighborhood and it was warm enough to sit outside we ate there nearly once a week. I met Florian and Lauren there one night for dinner in September and they had been there for about an hour before I got off work and had kindly waited to eat, but were working their way through a third liter of the house red.

This very simple pizzeria is one of the best values I have found anywhere in Rome, for 15 euros, if even that much, expect to eat and drink your fill. There are a few interesting bruschette to choose from, Florian's a fan of the crema di carciofi (cream of artichoke), I usually go for the crema di olivi (cream of olives). Pizzas start at 5 euros and are quite good, especially for the price, the salsiccia e funghi (saugsage and mushroom) is my general pick. I can't say I have had any pasta there but imagine they would be much like the pizza, basic but good.

The thing that seals the deal for a cheap dinner is the house wine, at 4 euros a liter you can't beat it anywhere. The white isn't that great, but the red is pretty drinkable.

Dinner here always make a good start for a long night out to save a little money for more expensive drinks in the center of town. I had dinner here when a few fraternity brothers were in town from Geneva for a weekend and it worked out quite nicely.

Via Germanico, 105; 06 323 1163.