#2 A'gusto

This restaurant is located near the tomb of Augustus on the east side of the Tiber. Roman dishes are typically known for their inventive uses of less than ideal ingredients. Tripe, which is the stomach lining of a cow or pig, served with sauce is an example. Thankfully, A'gusto breaks with tradition and serves dishes with a more modern flair. I had a homemade pasta dish and a succulent piece of roasted pork. I was kind of worried at first because the waiter warned me that the pork would still be slightly pink on the inside, but it ended up being tender, delicious and non-fatal. It's not cheap, but it's also probably the best food I had during my four months in Rome.

This place can get pretty popular and is highly recommended by the locals, so make sure to make reservations.