Best Restaurants

In Florence, you must check out Zio GiGi. It's located just a couple of blocks behind the Duomo on Via Folco Portinari. The food is fantastic, very affordable, and the owner sings to the diners. Another cheap but extremely good place to eat is Ristorante Leonardo. It's a cafeteria style place, with some really great food at a can't beat price. It's on Via Pecori 11 just southwest of the Baptistry.

Thank you very much for the information. I checked online and they both have great reviews!

We had a wonderful experience dining at Ristorante Guidoriccio in Siena. It is one of Rick rec's, which, to be frank, we don't usually follow. But this place was perfect. The room is old and charming, the owner very welcoming and generous with his time. We arrived early and were the only diners for the first half hour, so he brought us various things, told funny stories, and persuaded our daughters to try speaking Italian. I don't remember what we ordered (too many meals in Italy and I didn't take notes!) but the food was very good.

Gusto Pizza in Florence is some of the best I have had. It's a block down from Piazza Santo Spirito by the Pitti Palace. Also south of the river by Ponte Alla Carraia is a gellateria (Alla Carraia) that was among the best in town as well. We ate well in Siena in a place on Piazza del Mercato behind Il Campo. Can't remember the exact name. Rome and Venice were hit and miss for us; sadly can't remember the names of the hits.

Rome: Cul de Sac near Piazza Navona, and Roma Sparita in Trastevere were standouts for us, and not overpriced. Also try Antica Taverna, a few blocks from Cul de Sac. Very inexpensive, plain Roman cooking, lots of locals. Venice: Nono Risorto was family casual and had decent pizza (esp for Venice), and we liked Ristoteca Oniga in Campo San Barnaba. Both are R.S. picks. Siena: Have to look it up and get back to you. We ate at two that I would recommend. There is great book I am now referencing for my next trip. It is by Fred Plotkin, "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler." Fred has been on Rick's radio show at least twice. I like his style and the book is well laid out with overall background info and then a provence by provence, city by city guide.

Second the vote for Gusta Pizza in Florence - excellent simple pizza pie. Really, I had so many wonderful meals on my trip and now wish there were receipts or photos of the restaurant entrances so that I could remember. There is a clue... take photos or keep receipts to jog those memories. Ciao!

Doreen:
Now tht I am home I can consult my Siena notes. Here's what I said in my journal about one Siena ristorante: Dinner at Trattoria La Tellina, near our B&B. Little English spoken, Italian menu, perfetto! We were wandering around in search of an elusive ristorante recommended in the R.S. guide. Could not find it and my husband finally said "find a place." So, a stone's throw from our B&B was this Trattoria, about 42 euros with wine. We also went to Pizzeria del Corso, and had a lovely pizza and salad for dinner. Ciao!

We also enjoyed dinner at Trattoria La Tellina in Siena. It is small so a reservation may be needed. ZaZa in Florence is good and for lunch there as another poster suggested, Leonardo's is excellent and the price is as well.

I can't thank you all enough! Lots of good suggestions!

In Florence for lunch, you must stop by I(l) Fratellini; you'll be standing in the street with the locals having a sandwich and a glass of wine, but it's excellent food and the best prices. Not far from the Duomo. Read about it on Trip Advsior. Two young guys with great personalities.

Trattoria Mario, not far from Florence's Central Mercado, is a fabulous place to dine with locals and tourists all sharing tables in a fun atmosphere. The food is fantastic and service excellent. I spent a lovely mid-day meal with new friends from South Africa who were studying to teach English in Italy. The line forms outside the door but because I was there solo, I quickly found a table. It doesn't matter what you order here.. every dish is perfect. Loved Trattoria Mario

Having in mind Euro/Dollar exchange rate question is what is reasonable price? For instance mid quality sea food restaurants in Rome will be at least USD 100 a head (including wine)