Last night we made a late stop at the Taverna dei Viaggiatori, the new restaurant that opened in May this year on Via IV Novembre 44 in place of the Anatra Grassa, which has gone on to bigger and better things in Rome, though still within striking distance of Capena at Via Savoia 68 (www.anatragrassa.eu).

The new Taverna in town offers hearty Roman fare with a promise of a bill of no more than around €12/per person. This is exciting news for holiday-makers who would ideally like to eat out as much as possible but don’t want to pay top prices every night. Mirco, the enthusiastic new owner, is an overland travel enthusiast (hence the Taverna’s logo and name ).

The Taverna also has a lower terrace where you can linger over a beer and puff away to your heart’s content if you are a smoker (at least in summer).

Despite our late arrival last night, we got exceptionally friendly, swift and unpretentious service of generous portions of wholesome lasagna, followed by an equally generous portion of vin santo in earthenware mugs with cantuccini.

They also do pizza. I have a feeling I will soon have sampled everything on the menu. Great for kids, and Casa Capena guests get a free aperitivo – who could ask for more?