Tourist Trap

Per wikipedia:
A tourist trap is an establishment, or group of establishments, that has been created with the aim of attracting tourists and their money. Tourist traps will typically provide services, entertainment, souvenirs and other products for tourists to purchase, and these will often be at inflated prices (compared to the local economy).

The first thing we did in Italy was buying 2 train tickets from Fiumicino airport to Termini station. The ticket booth employee charged me 22 euros, took 50 euro bill and returned 18 euros. I asked for the other 10 euro, he looked at me disappointed and gave me my money. It seems like he is making good money this way, as there are many travelers that do not look twice at the change they get.

Another tourist trap we visited was a small restaurant in front of a hotel Alexandra about a block from Barberini square. This small restaurant called Alex cafe had a nice menu, professional looking staff, looking like a good place to eat at. We ordered 5.5 euro tea, 2 salads, some seafood pasta and mushroom risotto. The seafood stunk badly, and risotto was undercooked. We ate the salads, returned the main dishes and asked for a check. We ended up paying 35 Euro (plus tip) for the mediocre salads and a tea and headed out.

We then got an advice from a local who recommended we eat at Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome where locals hang out. We ate there twice, loved the food, ate a lot of it, and always payed 32 euros or less for 2 multi-course meals (salad, mussels, tea, beer, main dishes). The mussels are the best in Rome, they are served in a garlic sauce and they are to die for. The roasted chestnuts sold on the streets are also the best I had. They peel of easily and taste very sweet.