An autumn campaign is about to promote Roman food. Some 50 restaurants will offer a three-course lunch or dinner for 19.50. The menus will offer strictly local, old-fashioned specialities such as artichokes prepared in the Roman way, gnocchi made with semolina, grilled lamb cutlets, deep-fried salt cod, salad of puntarelle, ricotta cake and bitter cherry tart.

The campaign is being launched following a fall of between five to ten per cent in customers, particularly in the more expensive and elegant city restaurants. It is aimed not only at tourists but also at Rome residents, who seem to be losing the habit of eating out together. Gusti di Roma (Flavours of Rome) will run from 14 November until 2 December. To take advantage of the offer, a free card ARSIAL is available at tourist information kiosks around the city. A list of the restaurants taking part can be found on www.comune.roma.it and at tourist information points.