Visiting Italy

mpf1945 · 09-30-2009

My husband and I are going on a group trip to Venice, Florence and Rome on November 1. Does anyone have some suggestions for NO NOT MISS food or restaurants? How about food type products to bring home? We are more comfort foodies but a few nights out on the town are in our sights.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Dillbert · 09-30-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpf1945

How about food type products to bring home?

careful there. anything that is not pasteurized (i.e. "canned") or obviously "sterile" (e.g. baked bread) can be seized at the USDA inspection - which is part of clearing US Customs.

stuff like Parma ham or cheese of any sort does not meet with any sympathy on USDA inspectors. if you don't declare it and they find it, there's more trouble.....

amusing story: coming home from Germany on a Lufthansa flight, the German parent couple adjoining were going on about all the home-made sausage they were bringing to their daughter&family. multiple pounds by the sound of it....

well, that ain't gonna fly past USDA, so I swapped out my "English" declarations card with their "in German" declarations card so a least if caught they could claim they couldn't read it. (Lufthansa is so kind as to provide bi-lingual forms....)

they made it through, sausage undetected and intact. we had a nice conversation curbside while awaiting our rides and as Merry Sausage Christmas was enjoyed by all.

gadgetqueen · 09-30-2009

I have been to all three of those places. While I can't remember the exact names of the restaurants that I went to, I can tell you that where ever you decide to go, it will be great! The best places that we ate at were "off the beaten path". A lot of restaurants are located in the main square or the main places where tourists visit. Being the adventurous type, I always headed through back alleys as far away from the main drag as possible. I found so many quaint places with wonderful food. Of all the places I have traveled to, I can truly say that Italy had some of the best food of all time.
In Venice, the small island of Burano had great food and the prices on things you might want to bring home were way cheaper than anywhere near St. Marks Square.

Chuck Love · 09-30-2009

mpf1945,

One of the rules of thumb is NOT TO EAT IN ANY restaurant with a menu posted in 3 (or more) languages. Especially true in Venice, but also valid in the 2 other cities. Look for locals, eat with locals!

Speaking of Venice, if you are not there on Monday or Tuesday (because they are closed), try Vini da Gigio. It's in the Cannaregio section and the food is upscale Venetian. Their website may help you find it and say "Hi" to Paulo and Laura for me ( www.vinidagigio.com).

If you have a car (or any form of ground transportation) when in Florence. I'd like to take you just outside of the city (not that there aren't 100's of great places to eat in the city) to the small village of Cerbaia in Val di Pesa about 20 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio. There, in the Piazza del Monumento you will find Ristorante La Tenda Rossa (www.latendarossa.it/home/en_index.php?lang=en), arguably the best restaurant in Tuscany. If you get there and are lucky enough to meet her, give Maria a big kiss for me.
If you choose not to leave the city, you can try my favorite Ristorante il Profeta, Via Borgognissanti, 93 R. (http://www.ristoranteilprofeta.com/Eng/indexenglish.htm) If you go, say "Ciao" to Claudio for me. One block off the Arno and a short walk from my old home in the Hotel Villa Medici.

Rome is a very big city and not a walking city like Florence and Venice.
If I knew where you were staying, I could be more specific but if you get into Trastevere (across the Tiber), you will like La Taverna del Ghetto. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a kosher restaurant, in the old and current Jewish Ghetto and in the shadow of the Jewish Synagogue, at Via del Portio d'Ottavia 7/b-8 Tel - 06.68.80.97.71. You must try the "carciofi alla giudia". If not there, somewhere in Rome.
If that is not to you liking, you can try Ristorante Vecchio Roma (Old Rome) at Piazza Campitelli 18. It's just a few blocks away but still in the "Ghetto" but definitely NOT Kosher - but very Roman. (http://www.ristorantevecchiaroma.com/). BTW, if you go either of those restaurants, you will be a short(ish) walk to the church - San Pietro in Vincoli; Home of Michaelangelo's Moses. Not the David, which you will have seen in Florence, but a very interesting work in its' own right.

The most important thing I can tell you is there is no way to have a bad meal in any of those cities. Well...I guess if you go out of you way to find tourist traps or non-Italian food...maybe. If you look for "locals" and ask for "Locale" (Lo Cal a) food, wine and everything, you'll eat great................even if you don't eat at ANY of my suggestions.

You may find great prices on wines. The wine business worldwide took a big hit in this economy and I've seen great prices on foreign (and domestic) wines lately. I think you can find them in Italy. If you drink a great wine in a restaurant and the wine bottle has a label, you may be able to find it in a local store and they should be willing to ship it back to you.
Don't even think about food like cured meats and cheeses. Pastas, vinegars, canned truffles, Olive Oils (not Manni), are all pretty safe; but I still suggest shipping from a store that knows how to do it.
Murano is an island, a short boat ride from Venice. You can pick up the most interesting glass products there. They will certainly know how to ship that for you. In Florence, you might be able to find an art form called Florentine Mosaics. They are very collectible (and expensive). Florence is world renowned for their 18k gold jewelry designs.
Rome is known for it's leather: gloves, coats, shoes. Although Florence is known for the same and the Ferragamo empire is based here - right on the banks of the Arno.

I think I'll stop for now.

sdmom · 09-30-2009

Oh Chuck, I love "listening" to you talk about Italy. There is such a respect and passion in the way you speak of it. I cannot wait to see it for myself someday.....

Chuck Love · 10-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdmom

Oh Chuck, I love "listening" to you talk about Italy..... I cannot wait to see it for myself someday.....

Diane,

Get out a calendar, pick a year, then a month (maybe your aniversary month, but not August), then pick out 7 -14 - 21 days and call me.
I'll give you some ideas on saving $100's to $1,000's in places to stay and how to get around.
Don't keep wishing - Start planing!

I'm here to help.

No! I don't work for the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

Old Bay · 10-16-2009

We just returned from a cruise. We hired a one day private tour in Rome-- 500 Euros--ate at a small cafe -risotto and fresh pasta--wonderful service, behind Trevi Fountain--wonderful--toured the colliseum, circus maximus, St Pauls Basillica, Vatican Square, Pantheon, Forum, shopped--best part of Italy, did not get in St Peters (Sunday)--We also went to Lucca, Pisa , and Venice. Did have rudeness in Lucca and pickpockets (gypses) in Pisa. Venice was unbelievable as we sailed in the Grand Canal--best view of the city--take a motor tour in the grand canal for pictures--St Marks Square is sooo crowded and the gondolas are overblown unless you spend 500 Euros for a 1 hr private tour (we went with 6 other people at 100 apiece--do it for the picture). Great trip!!

cookinfool · 10-16-2009

Welcome Home Old Bay !!

Chuck Love · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Bay

We just returned from a cruise. We hired a one day private tour in Rome-- 500 Euros--ate at a small café -risotto and fresh pasta--wonderful service, behind Trevi Fountain--wonderful--toured the Colosseum, circus maximus, St Paul's Basilica, Vatican Square, Pantheon, Forum, shopped--best part of Italy, did not get in St Peters (Sunday)--We also went to Lucca, Pisa , and Venice. Did have rudeness in Lucca and pickpockets (Gypsies) in Pisa. Venice was unbelievable as we sailed in the Grand Canal--best view of the city--take a motor tour in the grand canal for pictures--St Marks Square is sooo crowded and the gondolas are overblown unless you spend 500 Euros for a 1 hr private tour (we went with 6 other people at 100 apiece--do it for the picture). Great trip!!

OB,

Welcome home!
Sounds like you had a good time.
Sorry about the rudeness in Lucca. You must have been in the wrong places there as that town is no known as being rude.
I (hopefully) corrected your "Pizza" to Pisa.
I never thought to warn you about the gondole in Venice. They are only for the wealthy or, those like yourselves, who are creative and share and fill them with other paying customers. For travel (not sightseeing) the locals use the "vaporetto" or water taxi.
Did you bring back any souvenirs?
Please post some pictures soon!

Old Bay · 4 Weeks Ago

Thanks Chuck!! I fixed 18 pizzas 7 days after we got home (party).The word was on the brain!! We had a great time--will post pics soon!! By the way we recruited 6 people and were the first in the gondola--best seats!!! We got the most for our 150Euros-wow--the dollar is down--I'm holding my leftover 60 Euros--better growth than anything else!!

KatieFrank · 4 Weeks Ago

I know you have already gone and came back from Italy - but I thought I would offer some suggestions for the other forum readers if they are planning a trip to Italy anytime soon. I studied Abroad in Florence for a semester when I was in college. A place that is wonderful, but not necessarily authentic, is Open Bar. Its right on the Ponte Vecchio overlooking the river - so I suppose its a little touristy but its so delicious. The two best Gelato places in Vivoli or Grom. Grom is near the Duomo. Let me know if you need any more tips!

Chuck Love · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Bay

Thanks Chuck!! I fixed 18 pizzas 7 days after we got home (party).The word was on the brain!! We had a great time--will post pics soon!! By the way we recruited 6 people and were the first in the gondola--best seats!!! We got the most for our 150 euros-wow--the dollar is down--I'm holding my leftover 60 Euros--better growth than anything else!!

OB,

Waiting anxiously for your pictures

sdmom · 4 Weeks Ago

Welcome home Old Bay! Can't wait to see your pictures and hear your stories.

Chuck, we are tentatively hoping to go to Italy in 2013. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary, hubby turns 50 that year, and our daughter turns 21 that same year. We have two other families that are hoping to go with us. We have travelled with them both before, so it would work out great, if we can make it happen.

Chuck Love · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdmom

...we are tentatively hoping to go to Italy in 2013. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary, hubby turns 50 that year, and our daughter turns 21 that same year. We have two other families that are hoping to go with us. We have travelled with them both before, so it would work out great, if we can make it happen.

Diane,

That's the way to do it!
Spend your anniversary there. Plan it in advance and take family and great friends (and traveling partners) with you.
I promise, you'll love it!

mpf1945 · 3 Weeks Ago

Chuck,

We are staying at the Grand Hotel Palatino, Via Cavour in Rome. This is a group trip through our local hospital employee recreational department. Any restaurant recommendations in this area?

Thank you everyone for the tips. We leave Sunday for 9 days. Weather forecast is rain and showers the entire time. Hope they are wrong.

mpf1945

Chuck Love · 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpf1945

Chuck,

We are staying at the Grand Hotel Palatino, Via Cavour in Rome. This is a group trip through our local hospital employee recreational department. Any restaurant recommendations in this area?

Thank you everyone for the tips. We leave Sunday for 9 days. Weather forecast is rain and showers the entire time. Hope they are wrong.

mpf1945

Marcia,

Can't help with the weather but you'll be staying a short walk from the Coliseum.
What a great location!

One of the best (sea food) restaurants in Rome is just a few minutes’ walk or cab ride away.
If you can, try Ristorante Crispi 19 on Via Francesco Crispi 19.
I'm sure you will like it. If you don't go there, don't worry, there's plenty of good food in Rome. Just look for locals and don't eat until 8:30 or 9:00 PM.

Have a great trip!

ChefJune · 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Love

there's plenty of good food in Rome. Just look for locals and don't eat until 8:30 or 9:00 PM.

When I was there, it was more like 10 pm. Are the Romans eating earlier these days?

Chuck Love · 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefJune

When I was there, it was more like 10 pm. Are the Romans eating earlier these days?

June,

No the Romans are not eating earlier but the American's can't always wait that long or eat that late.
Most of the restaurants are open and fully functioning by 9.
But you're right; if you can wait until 9:30 or 10 PM you’ll get a better picture of their clientele by then.