Mouthwatering Italy
When you take your tongue out sightseeing in Italy, what are its favorite taste treats?
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Il Pozzo Trattoria - Sorrento
Il Pozzo - Sorrento. We ended up having dinner here several times in the week that we based in Sorrento. It is a terrific little place in the old quarter with great food and really reasonable prices and a nice mix of tourists and locals. If we don’t have a recommendation and are just wandering around looking for a dinner spot, our requirements are nice friendly atmosphere, good/interesting menu and absolutely no hawkers. This place fits the bill, even though most of the restaurants around it are hawker places. Antipasti, wine and a couple of pastas (including my favorite – spaghetti alla vongole), and we were out for about €60. Even though most trips to Italy we easily slip into the habit of a pasta and a main course each for dinner, it is just too warm to do that here, and we noticed that almost everyone around us is doing exactly the same thing as we are with just an antipasti and a pasta. The pasta is fabulous, and the plates are huge, and we are stuffed. Later in the week we returned several times, sometimes ordering a pasta and a fish course, but mostly settling into a habit of an antipasti (or even splitting a big antipasti - their proscuitto e melone plate was huge) and a couple of seafood or clam pastas and a nice bottle of wine and we were averaging about €50 per meal. I almost felt guilty about not ordering more, but I truly couldn’t eat another bite, and most of the others in the restaurant (even the numerous locals that I saw in there each night) were doing the same.
Joan H
Arlington, VA USA 07/03/2009
Osteria Sotto le Fonti
A wonderful place to eat in Sienna is Osteria Sotto le Fonti.
Aside from the amazing food, it is off the beaten path and away from all the regular "Tourist Trap" locations. The owner speaks English!! and they have a nursery section. (WOW!)
Shirene Napier
Valleyview, AB Canada 06/30/2009
wonderful in siena
We had the best meal of our Italy trip at Ristorante Guidoriccio in Siena. Small and friendly, beautiful arched brick-walled room, food and wine were great, and reasonable prices. Highly recommended!
sandy
ellisville, MO USA 06/25/2009
enoteca in Rome
My Roman friend introduced me to a newly opened enoteca/bookstore near the Pantheon in Rome. It has comfortale sofas, great air conditioning, and is in a beautifully renovated room. An amazing place to relax, get away from the crowds, and have a nice glass of wine.
Libreria Enoarcano Via Delle Paste 106 00186 Roma
diane
hartford, ct USA 06/25/2009
Cinque Terre Restaurant
Heaven in Vernazza! I didn't know that in addition to the world famous scenery and hikes of Cinque Terre there is also another slice of heaven in Vernazza... the Il Pirata restaurant! It's at the top of the hill high above the train station and crowded harborside area, fitting for a place that offers truly heavenly food. We were all over Italy for the last 12 days and ate at some wonderful places. But, really, Il Pirata is in a class by itself. My family sampled their pastries, coffee, grilled sandwiches, even their dinner-time pastas and appetizers--simply cannot say enough good things about their high quality and consistency. I gladly gave up our Vernazza first night's "table with a seaside view and OK food" (Al Castello) for our subsequent nights' Il Pirata truly sublime meals! Frankly, we had all the gorgeous Cinque Terre views during the days but for breakfast and dinner, I let my inner food snob reign and repeated our visits to the top of the hill for amazing food!
Kristen <email>
Naperville, IL USA 06/25/2009
Trattoria
While staying in Mira Italy (near Venice) we found this yummy restaurant. We ate 2 nights in a row at the Trattoria Alla Vida. The lady owner was very kind to us. trattoriaallavida.it
Laury
Miami, FL USA 06/19/2009
dining in
The Za-Za Pizza Shop and Restaurant off the city market in Florence was excellent - both inside and outside seating - and it's flooded with locals so you know it's good. And it's in Rick's book.
John Huckaby <email>
Lewisburg, PA USA 06/17/2009
Il Pirata - Vernazza
Fantastic pastry, dinners. Fun. also a quiet refuge when Vernazza is crowded since it is not on the tourist side of the train tracks. Don't go for bacon and eggs, they don't serve them. The chocolate is something to experience. The evening dining is fantastic. We have spent a total of nearly 20 days in Vernazza. This is our #1 place to eat.
Michael Huffaker <email>
Chandler, AZ USA 06/15/2009
Antico Pignolo Restaurant
If you're in Venice, check out the awesome restaurant Antico Pignolo. The name sounds a little weird but this restaurant was the best one we ate in during our 2nd trip to Italy. I had the best lasagna I've ever had and my wife had a wonderful peppercorn steak. Even the wines that the waiter chose for us were excellent. A bit pricey but well worth the stretch. The restaurant has a great shaded courtyard in which to eat.
Antico Pignolo
Venice, Italy 06/14/2009
restaurant
If you are staying in Siena, don't miss eating at the Osteria Il Campaccio. It is a great little place, food,atmosphere,prices,top notch. If you are staying at the Hotel Alma Domus,it is right around the corner. Very convenient,we ate there 3 nights in a row!!
Judy Brierley <email>
Manchester, NJ USA 06/13/2009
Best pastries--Il Pirata
Il Pirata in Vernazza
My husband and I took Rick's suggestion and went for pastries in Il Pirata. We had some of the best pastries of our lives. They were fresh out of the oven and the puff pastry dough was so amazingly flaky. We shred 4 the first day and 3 the next and also came back for my husband's birthday dinner. We enjoyed the freshness of the food and real pure ingredients. Lucca and Massimo were always there chatting and joking with guests. It is a true family-run, foodie place.
Weiru and Jeff
Phoenix, AZ USA 06/12/2009
Unforgettable meals in Umbria
Romantica Pucci in Bagnoregio (Umbria) was the most fantastic restaurant we ate at during our visit to Umbria and Tuscany. They work magic with truffles and prepare dishes you will never taste in the US! What a treat. We are still talking about the truffle steak and truffle taglialini. The service is fantastic and very personal, all lead by the charming and English speaking owner, Pucci. ENJOY!!!
Mary Beth <email>
Philadelphia, PA USA 06/12/2009
Best Gelato in Rome
The best gelato is at Old Bridge by the Vatican....it's pretty cheap, they give you a lot and of course its delicious!
USA 06/09/2009
Rick's restaurants in Venice,Florence, and Rome
It seems that Rick is now so popular that we may need a new back-back door. I saw so many Rick Steves-ites in restauarants that he recommended, that we may be supplanting the locals! But once again every reference we used in Venice, Florence, and Rome from his book was as good as he described. One other hint: The more passionate his description of a restaurant the higher I would priortize it.
Lloyd Nace <email>
Nashville, TN USA 06/09/2009
Chinese food in Italy
OK, so why on Earth would anyone go out for Chinese in Florence? How about because it's good? Fresh ingredients straight from the farm makes good food anywhere you go -- and, face it -- after several days of wonderful Italian, maybe a change of pace would be nice? Anyway, Mom and I have had Chinese in good places -- Seattle, San Francisco, Beijing -- you know, places with good Chinese food. This was as good as any:
Ristorante Cinese Hong Kong, Via dei Servi, 35/r, Firenze
It's only two blocks from the Duomo.
Try it if you like good Chinese for a very good price. (The fried noodles and the Chicken with Ginger were favorites...)
Alice Walters
Ebensburg, PA USA 06/08/2009
Tips for finding great gelato
An easy way to find great gelato is to look at the Pistachio. The color should be muddy and olive green. The brightly colored gelatos are usually not hand made in the store but shipped in. Best in Rome: Creama near the Ponte Sisto bridge.
Diane <email>
Tucson, AZ USA 06/06/2009
The Oil Shoppe in Florence
Rick recommended The Oil Shoppe in Florence. It's a few blocks away from the Duomo but completely worth it. The sandwiches are outstanding and freshly made to order. It's popular with the student crowd and therefore relatively inexpensive for what you are getting. Great lunch spot, I would definitely go there again and recommend it to all of my friends.
Zoe
New York, NY USA 06/06/2009
Avoid La Rustichella in Rome
We found this place recommended in Rick's 2009 book. The antipasto bar is 8 euro, not 7 as in the book and it's not for a meal sized plate as mentioned in the book, it's for a small appetizer plate, maybe 6" accross. The buffet itself was very heavy on fried potatoes, fried vegetables and things swimming in mayo. It was the only place in Italy that we saw cold fried food served, or heavy mayonaise sauces. Additionally, if the owner thinks you put too much on your plate, he doubles the charge to 16 euro without any warning. When we questioned the extra charge we were treated very rudely and told we must speak with the owner, who refused to come over and talk to us or for that matter even make eye contact. Fortunately we had cash and put the correct amount we owed on top of the check and walked out. This was the first time we've ever used a restaurant in the Rick Steves book where we didn't have a great meal, and the first time in 5 trips to Italy that we've had a problem like this at any restaurant. While the food was good but not great, the house wine was very good. The service was good, until the waiter was so rude about the overcharge, and evasive about what we'd been charged for-- but the total scam of claiming that you'd put too much on your plate AFTER you'd finished eating and had no way to defend yourself puts this squarely in the "tourist trap" category.
Maggie F <email>
St Louis , MO USA 05/31/2009
Best pizza in Rome
Best Pizza in Rome is Massenzio at Largo Corrado Ricci,2-6 at the corner of Via Cavour and Via dei Fori Imperiali right around the corner from the Coloseo. Quattro Fromaggio Bianco is to die for and also excellent Spaghetti alla Carbonara.
Valarie <email>
Miami, FL USA 05/25/2009
Restaurants, Roma and Lucca
Trattoria Da Leo in Lucca, as recommended by RS and an acquaintance, provided the best two dinners we had in Italy. The food was fresh and made "from scratch." Our waiter was excellent.
We had a repeat of this food and service at Ristorante Abruzzese, via dei gracchi 27/29, Roma. (near the Vatican.)
However, we were taken advantage of by the wait staff at La Isola Della Pizza, (also near the Vatican,) where they brought us much expensive food we had not ordered. The bill was discounted after much discussion with the manager. We did not understand how bread could cost 7 Euros. A word to the wise...
Linda Pilon <email>
Phoenix, AZ USA 05/23/2009
Eating in Cortona
My husband and I and our two children just returned from Italy with one of our stops being Cortona. Rick mentions Ristorante Dolce Maria in his book, but the description does not do it justice. The pastas were amazing, the secondis were even better. But we thought the atmosphere was delightful. Luigi the owner, was so personal and we enjoyed chatting with him so much that I had to spread the word. It was one of our best dining experience, as the food was not only fabulous but the hospitality was the best of our 11 day trip! I am married to a foodie, so I can assure you he is picky! Dolce Maria in Cortona is a true gem!
Kim Zayotti <email>
Boston, MA USA 05/21/2009
Napoli Pizza The Best
Big mistake to miss out on the pizza in Napoli (where pizza originated and the best in the world). Napoli has a bad reputation but there are great museums and a beautiful setting on a bay with Mt. Vesuvius in the background. You can visit Pompeii and Pasteum on a day trip.
My favorite pizza place is Da Michele, about a ten minute walk from the train station. Under five euros with no cover charge for a simple pizza margarita. They don't use buffalo milk mozerella (which is a waste of expensive cheese) but a wonderfully tasty fior d'latte. The crust is wonderful, baked in a brick oven.
Pizzeria Brandi is a nice setting but the pizza is more expensive and you pay a cover but it is still worth it (they use buffalo milk mozerella so you can compare the difference).
There are other pizzerias, many and people differ on which one is best. I visited the Archelogical Museum and down the street was the famous Lombardi. Not wanting to take too much time and also to save the cover, I got a pizza to go. Less than four euros and I ate it sitting on a park bench with a drink.
The food in Napoli is the best in Italy, I believe. Ridiculously simple pasta dishes with tomato sauce (best tomatoes are grown in this region) and fresh ingredients.
Don't miss out on Napoli.
Robert Marcus <email>
New York, NY USA 05/20/2009
Pizza in Rome
While the debate over the best pizza in Rome will rage on forever, we think we found it. Don't miss Pizza Magi on Via Salaria N. 70, near the Galleria Borghese! They make award winning pizza, and have a large framed plaque on the wall explaining the reason it is so wonderful...a 72 hour slow-rise dough. Absolutely fabulous! And our 6 choices (yes 6) were sliced with smiles and laughter! They were the hands-down winners of our extensive research into the best pizza in Rome and Florence ;-)
Andrea <email>
Houston, TX USA 05/19/2009
Florence Caffe
Caffe Giacosa. Unbelievable pasta. Unbeleiveable. Go for lunch. Great wait staff too. Kind. Also, cappucino is heavenly.
On vie della Spada, near via de Tornabuoni.. walk west 20 paces...on right.
Chai Neuhaus <email>
Boulder, CO USA 05/12/2009
Rome Restaurant:Target Grill
Avoid this one: Target Grill in Rome, near Hotel Adler, off Via Nationale. They do not like Americans. We could not get waited on, though all the Italians around us could and did. It was very blatant.
Quiet Traveler
Portland, OR: USA 05/11/2009
Great Siena Restaurant!
My Wife and I had a wonderful lunch and felt the need to share with others. Nello la Taverna is mentioned in Rick's book (Dinig in the Old Town, Siena chapter), and is about a 1-2 minute stroll up Via Porrione from the corner of Il Campo. We highly recommend this restaurant for a change from the traditional Tuscan fare. Mauro is an very enjoyable guy, and quite the music enthusiast. We enjoyed the extremely wide range of music on a very clean system, and being a music head myself had fun sharing different artists (via my ipod). The food is out of this world and made us sorry we were leaving the next morning.
Mauro knows his wine... upon asking what type we enjoyed (full bodied red), he smiled and said "I have a great Chianti Classico I found that you should enjoy...20 Euro for the bottle") It was fantastic, and I couldn't find it in any of the many wine shops after we left. We were in Italy for 3 weeks and this quiet little place in Siena was a definate highlight.
Salute Mauro! and Thanks Rick!!
Allen
Shenandoah, Iowa USA 05/06/2009
Italy- Vernazza food rave
Vernazza rave- Il Pirate delle Cinque Terre
My husband and I just got back from our belated honeymoon and spent 3 nights in Vernazza. The first night we ate at a restaurant near the water which was so-so. Egi (who we rented a great room from) suggested we check out the above restaurant owned by his wife's twin brothers. We decided to have breakfast there the next morning and ended up eating there for the remainder of our stay. There was no view, but the food more than made up for it. Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious.
Gianluca (the looks) and Massimo (the brains) were an absolute delight- I am teasing about the looks and brains as they are twins.
We can't wait to go back to have another panzerotto fresh from the oven.
Angela <email>
Anchorage, Alaska USA 04/27/2009
Excellent Roman Trattoria
For an excellent dinner or lunch in Roma I highly recommend Armando al Pantheon. This high quality Roman trattoria is located right next to the Pantheon. The food is superb and the service is wonderful. I loved the pastas and veal with roasted potatoes. Make a reservation as it is busy with regular customers and very small.
John Osgood
New York, NY USA 04/23/2009
Another recommendation for Quattro Leoni in Florence
I want to second the vote for the restaurant Quattro Leoni in Florence. It is in a small square just off the main drag near the Pitti Palace. Out family was staying near there and it was recommended by our host at our apartment. It was so good, we went back for a second night in a row. We only had pastas and appetizers but everything was delicious and our waitpeople were so kind and charming. Our kids were wild about the gnocchi. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Pamela Van Dalfsen <email>
Seattle, WA USA 04/19/2009
Pisa Restaurant
I just got back from Tuscany. I stayed in Pisa at Alessandro della Spina Hotel. This was very nice and convenient to the airport. They suggested a restaurant, Scaccianoci about 2 blocks away on Amerigo Vespucci. Starters 7 Euros, pasta 8, fish and meats 10-15.
This was very good. The restaurant is very tidy. Limited English, but menu in English/Italian.
albert a chambers
cincinnati, ohio USA 04/10/2009
Favorites in Rome, Orvieto, and Siena
Just got back from Rome, Orvieto, and Siena and I have a food recommendation for each, all from the 2009 Rick Steves Italy book. Rome: best gelato was at Giolitti's near the Pantheon. Orvieto: Trattoria del Moro Aronne and Torre del Moro are the same place. There is a mistake in the guidebook/map. They moved to the location just under the clocktower. They serve nidi with pecorino and honey. Not life-changing, but yummy and new to me. Siena: Taverna San Giuseppe. I don't think the write-up in the guidebook does this one justice. Best pasta ever. I had the gnocchi with spinach and pecorino, and the trofie with sausage, broccoli, and cheese. They are Michelin rated. In 3 days we ate there twice. The No Name Bar Gelateria in Siena which is in the guidebook isn't great. For better gelato on il campo, walk straight across the campo towards the southwest end of the museum/tower to the gelateria there. Buon appetito!
Heather Lawrence <email>
Midvale, UT USA 04/09/2009
Roma fine dining Campo di Fiori
March 28, 2009 ROMA Pier Luigi Trattoria off the Campo di Fiori, ask for Giorgio, a charming English speaking waiter.
Every bite was exceptional, all seafood:
fried smelts, fried baby calamari, warm calamari and potato salad, carpaccio of swordfish, salmon and tuna, fried artichoke, ricotta filled canneloni, unsauced, these were the appetizers!
Followed by a homemade Napolitano style large square pasta with tasty bits of zucchini, swordfish, cherry tomatoes and a touch of ginger.
We had no room for a fresh fish entree.
Sicilian Caseta sweet ricotta cake with marzipan icing to share for dessert,
two bottles of wine, water, cover charge, worth it for delicious bread and foccacio, all for E170 for 2 Was it expensive? yes, was it worth it? YES.
Erin
San Jose, CA USA 04/04/2009
Good restaurant 2 blocks from Rome Termini
We had two great meals at this place just a couple blocks south of Termini rail station. It is called al Nuovo FAGIANETTO, at Via Filippo Turati, 21. The owner was born in New York, and his family moved back to Italy when he was 8 years old. He and the wait staff were very friendly and spoke good English. The food was very good, especially the roasted vegetable mix. Prices are reasonable. Walk past a couple fancier places to get here.
Alan Rea <email>
Boise, ID USA 04/04/2009
Great Florence Restaurant
Quatro de Leoni (sp?) (4 Lions) restaurant in Florence was outstanding, best meal we had in Italy. A few blocks over the Ponte Vecchio.
Laurie Sedlmayr
Washington, D.C., USA 04/03/2009
Two restaurants in Italy
We had several great dinner places in Italy. First Rick Steves recommended Il Gabriello in Rome near the Spanish Steps on Via Vittorio. We loved it so much we went twice. We had our last night there in Rome and each time the food was amazing- the bread was fabulous.A definite must.
Then in Monerosso al mare the Cinque Terre area we found this great restaurant. I think Rick Steves was there before the new ownership it is called Ristorante L'Ancora Della Tortuga. It is superb! From the homemade bread sticks down to the decor it is just wonderful. It is right over looking the sea and I bet during the season it will be packed.We were there in March and it is pretty quiet. The food is presented like an artist had created it and the taste is fabulous. I want to go back to the area just for this restaurant.We also ate there both nights we were there. The branzino was wonderful and the shrimp and avocado antipasti were the best. I also had the pumpkin ravioli with porcini mushrooms which was also fabulous. The house white wine was great. Enjoy.
Ellen
Anaheim, ca USA 04/02/2009
Gelato in Florence and Rome
Gelato!! I had gelato daily while in Italy. The all time best which was not in Rick Steves book but our hotelier in Florence recommended it for the chocolates they make there. They also serve homemade gelato and we compared the others and Vestri is by far the best. Vivoli is pretty good but in Florence go to Vestri and try their gelato you will not be disappointed.
In Rome the one by the Pantheon -- Cremaria Monteforte was my favorite there.
Ellen
Anaheim, ca USA 04/02/2009
Best lunch BY FAR in Rome
We just got back from 8 days in Rome and discovered the "Rivadestra" restaurant in Trestevere. (You can Google it if you need a specific address.) We went there for lunch. The food was the BEST we had all 8 days of meals!! Our bill was only 17E for 2 people!!! I had a herb chicken meal and my wife had a pasta dish with a reddish cream sauce that had tiny tiny tiny bits of ham in it. it also had mint in it. IT WAS FREAKING DELICIOUS! She had another pasta that was just as good the second time we went. I can't say enough about the place for lunch. Plus, they only charged 0.50 E for water and I think only 1E for bread so that was terrific!! It was a classy joint too. Very clean & quaint. We didn't get to go there for dinner, but we looked at their dinner menu which was of course more pricey and much more variety than the lunch menu. We were so impressed that we went back a second time for lunch even though it was way out of the way from our hotel in the Spanish Steps area. Sadly, (or not sadly, depending on how you look at it) we were the only people in there both times we went. I purposely want peopleto go to this place so when we go back it still is around so we can go to it again. We couldn't believe how lucky we were to stumble upon it. The bar tender/owner I think was a very handsome, very nice guy. They definitely are a diamond in the rough. We also went to Sor'Eva twice for dinner. They are located very near to the Vatican. (A little south of it to be more specific.) They had really good meals too. Price for 2= 38E for dinner. (One pasta one meat dish and 2 salads. Another time we had desserts instead of salads, and it still was around 38E. La Gallina Bianca was very good too. (We had dinner there, and like the guide book says, if you get there after 7:30 you will wait for a table.) We got there at 7 pm and got a table right away. It filled up very fast. My wife had the marsallis steak and it was great. I had the speghetti carbonera, but I didn;t like the fact that it was so "eggy" not like we make it in America. I was expecting more of a cream sauce. That's just a cultural menu thing and not the restaurant's fault. Anyway, Rivadestra ROCKS!
Dan <email>
Champaign, IL USA 03/31/2009
Roman Forum Drink Cart
One summer, my husband and I huffed and puffed up the stairs after an amazing yet hot and dusty trip to the Roman Forum. Like an oasis, we saw a cart with snacks and drinks of every type. We each grabbed a gatorade and while my husband went up to pay, I cracked the seal to take a swig. The vendor charged 5 euro each. I wanted to spit it out... I had already opened it, so it was too late.
Annie Coots <email>
Alameda, CA USA 03/30/2009
cooking classes in Levanto Cinque Terre
Just come back from Cinque terre, Italian riviera. Fantastic staying: the plus was a cooking class in Levanto, near the Villa Margherita Hotel were we stayed. The owner Frederico suggested us to try the courses at Taverna Garibaldi, that's in RS's guide. The pizza maker, Thomas provide a special experience to those who want to do the real italian pizza and liguria's specialties look at www.cinqueterrecookingcourses.com
Michael
S. Diego, USA 03/06/2009
One day cooking class in Rome
A highlight of our recent Rome trip was a one day cooking class with Daniela del Balzo. We booked through Context Rome, but I believe she books on her own as well. The class, limited to six people involved shopping at the Testaccio market and cooking in her lovely flat. This day comes highly recommended.
Cathy Brown <email>
Lexington, KY USA 02/28/2009
Best Gelato in the world
Recommended by RS and it's true! Get to GROM immediately. I went to the one in Florence, but have a look at their site at www.grom.it and there are many stores. You won't be disappointed.
Tim <email>
Portland, OR USA 02/22/2009
Wine tasting
We had a great wine tour on Rome with a sommelier,Sarah May(arts_rome@yahoo.com). She guided us through our tasting, but also gave us lots of historical and cultural information regarding wine in Italy. We tried wines I have never heard of before, but enjoyed thoroughly. It was just a fun night going to various wine bars and getting off the tourist trap path and enjoying Italy's great wines. What i really enjoyed most was that wine is part of everyday life in Italy. We really felt like we were locals, even though we were only there for 6 days.
James Marker
NYC, NY USA 02/09/2009
Charges in Italy restaurant bills
In Italy, many restaurants add a "coperto" to bill, ie, cover charge - to table cloth laundering, bread.
"Servizio" charge (added by some) is used to pay the salaries of waiters and is NOT a tip given to them. If you wish to tip, leave about 10% on the table in cash, never adding to credit card.
Anne Robichaud <email>
Assisi, ITALY 02/04/2009
Rome, Italy
While in Rome recently we stumbled upon a great restaurant a few blocks from Trevi Fountain. The name is Trattoria Scavolina and it was fabulous! We also enjoyed all of the recommended places for the evening walking tour of Rome. The pizza from Forno was excellent,and the gelato on the tour was incredible. I also highly recommend Al Bric Oseria Enoteca.
Alison Jones
Baton Rouge, LA USA 01/31/2009
Extra charges-Watch out!
I just wanted to let everyone know who is traveling to Italy to be mindful when going into restaurants that there is a 'servizo' charge and sometimes even a 'cover' charge of 1-3euros per person. We never had a bad meal in Italy but we were getting tired of #1 being 'accidentally' overcharged-they would charge us 9euros instead of 8 for pasta and #2 having additional charges on our bill that is only stated in FINE print on the menu. READ YOUR RECEIPTS. It happened too many times to be a coincidence. Otherwise-enjoy the food because when you get back home you will miss it!
Jennifer
Anaheim Hills, Ca USA 01/26/2009
Siena Restaurant - Campagnia dei Vinatierri
On our honeymoon, my wife and I found one of the best restaurants on our entire Italian tour...just by chance!
If you are in Siena, you must give Campagnia dei Vinatierri a try. Not only is the food excellent, but the service is even better. I recommend getting the "full meal deal" (5 courses + wine, prefix). Even though we didn't have reservations, the owner gladly sat us at a nice and romantic table.
Hands down best meal of the entire trip!
http://www.vinattieri.net/default.htm
Ben Moore <email>
Portland, OR USA 01/18/2009
Great little restaurant in Rome
I was in Rome on Dec 2, 2008. My wife and I ate at a very small restaurant on Via Repetta, only a couple hundred feet south of the Ara Pacis. This was one of the last shops before the Ara Pacis. I don't recall the name but heading north on the street it was on the left (Tiber) side of the street. About 6 tables maybe. They had a stand-up sign for their lunch special - 8 Euros for a large salad, fresh bread, a large entree (I had pasta Carbonarra) and a glass of wine. A great deal and very tasty. Friendly service.
Don <email>
Mill Cree, WA USA 01/16/2009
The Best Seafood Meal Ever!
The best resturant we have visited during our 4 month trip to Italy was in Pozzuoli, a small town outside of Naples. The small restorante, Don Antonio, is outstanding and affordable. My family and I went on a Sunday afternoon and it was crowded with locals. We knew we were in for a treat. Don Antonio's does not have menus and the waiters did not know any English so ordering was somewhat difficult. We went with his suggestions smiled and nodded. We are a family of five. We had soft drinks, water, a bottle of white wine, 5 plates of pasta e vongola, bread and a large family platter of fried shrimp (gamberetto). The total price was 68 euros! Oh Yeah...you can never go wrong with pizza in Napoli. It is the best in Italy.
jute <email>
huntsville, al USA 01/08/2009
BEST RESTAURANT IN ROMA!
While living in Rome, I discovered the best restaurant in the entire world (at least in my world). It's called Gattabuia and it can be found on a small side street in Trastevere far from the hustle and bustle of center city. It's located on Via del Porto and is close to the Tiber.
It's a family-owned place (like most in Rome) but it's located in an old underground prison (hence the name Gattabuia - which means "the clink" in English).
While living there I got to know the staff very well and they always surprised my guests and me with little treats and drinks on the house. Try your best to find this place instead of choosing one of the many over-priced tourist menu places scattered throughout the city. I'd suggest getting either the gnocchi or the pasta with sausage and mushrooms. If you ask for the English menu (which they had to create for me upon my arrival), plan to laugh at their translations!
The best way to tackle this amazing restaurant is to go with a couple friends and all split one pizza, one pasta, and one meat. It sounds like a lot of food, but when it's as delicious at Gattabuia, you'll have no problem getting it all down!
Here is a link to their website http://www.lagattabuia.it/
Lauren W <email>
Rock Hill, SC USA 01/03/2009