Nightlife addicted

Campo de' Fiori is a large local feeling square in the heart of Rome. It is ringed by cafes and bars and

is home to a fabulous flower and vegie market in the mornings, and is a happening place for nightlife in the evenings.

There are also some good clothing stores on the roads that lead into the square. Yet another fabulous place to pull up a chair and order an espresso or a glass of vine.

The square of "Campo dei Fiori" in Rome is famous for the episode that saw the philosopher Giordano Bruno burned on the rogo by the catholic Inquisition for the accusation of heresy on February 17th 1600 after Christ. The execution is nowadays remembered by a statue built in 1889 after Christ and placed at the centre of the "Campo dei Fiori" on the initiative of the poet Pietro Cossa and which is the work of the sculptor Ettore Ferrari.

The name of the place, which some people date back to the fact that one of the lovers of the Imperator Pompeo, Flora, would have lived in this area, is more likely to be attributed to the aspect of total abandon that the square, invaded by plants and flowers, had during the 15th century.

Nowadays "Campo dei Fiori", far away from the most famous tourist itineraries, represent one of the place where Rome shows with a greater transparency its most authentic character from the early morning with the open air market, up to the deepest night with theentertaining offered by the bars, restaurants and "trattorie" of the area. Campo de' Fiori is an infore oven, is one of the best in Rome. In the evening Campo de’ Fiori becomes a meeting place, especially for young people who go to the Vineria and the little restaurants of the zone. For lovers of Roman cooking, we point out Carbonara and the Hosteria romanesca, which serves an excellent “amatriciana”.

Resturants:

Alceste al Buon Gusto
The new Roman offshoot of an historic seaside fish restaurant, Alceste has a great location and superbly fresh seafood, especially in its delicious parade of antipasti. But the decor is rather boringly minimalist, and we found not only the service but also the dishes – among them the trademark rombo con le patate (turbot baked with potatoes) – rather tired, especially for these prices.

Alfredo e Ada
Ada has been bustling between these eight tables since the 1940s. The day’s set-price menu, chalked on a board, includes simple dishes: spaghetti aglio e olio (garlic and oil), perhaps, or salsiccia con fagioli (sausage with beans). Price: moderate Address:Via dei Banchi Nuovi 14 Info:(06 687 8842).Meals served 1-3.30pm, 8-10.30pm Mon-Fri. Closed Aug; 1wk Dec-Jan. Nocredit cards.

Antico Forno Campo dè Fiori
This little bakery does by far the best takeaway sliced pizza in the campo de’ Fiori and surrounding area. Their plain pizza bianca base is delicious in itself, but you’ll thank yourself for checking out the one with fiori di zucca (courgette flowers) too. Info:Campo de’ Fiori 22 (06 6880 6662). Open 7.30am-2.30pm, 4.45-8pm Mon-Sat. Closed 2wks Aug. No credit cards.

Ar Galletto
You don’t need to pay the inflated prices charged by other restaurants hereabouts to get a ringside view of piazza Farnese. Humbler than the competition, and Roman to its marrow, Ar Galletto serves food that is firmly in the local tradition, with dishes like penne all’arrabbiata or spaghetti alle vongole proving appetising and – for the location – well priced. It has tables on the square in summer. Price: moderate Address:Piazza Farnese 102Info:(06 686 1714). Meals served 12.15-3pm, 7.30-11pm Mon-Sat. Closed 10 days Aug.