Restaurant Recommendations

Florence - Ristorante Osteria Pepo. It is located near the Mercato and Trattoria ZaZa. It is so very good. Of our 3 weeks touring Italy this is in our top 3 best places we ate at. It is worth reserving a table. We also ate upstairs for dinner at the Mercato Centrale. It's a different pace than a traditional restaurant. There are separate counters where food can be ordered with tables in the center (cheese, pasta, salads, seafood, rotisserie/grill, dessert). It is big. The four of us ordered a cheese platter, a roasted chicken, salad and pasta and shared it. Very crowded on the weekend nights with tons of locals.
Cinque Terre (Manarola) - Il Porticciolo is the best lunch or dinner spot. The owners/wait staff are wonderful and the food is fantastic. We ate there 3 times in the 4 days we were there. Excellent prices.

I forgot to add - Sorrento - Pizzeria da Gigino. Very good pizzas. Big enough for 2 people to share; about 8 euros each. Beautiful restaurant. Meal for 4 was less than 60 euros that included large appetizer, 4 pizzas, water and wine.

We were just in Florence and really likes Osteria Giovanni near the Arno. The touristy side. for,gelato Gelateria Della passera was awesome best we had. In rome now and just went to Il Gabrielo which was recommended by RS. Lovely setting and food was solid. Still looking for that great place here in Rome. Happy Travels.

We were recently in Sorrento and enjoyed dinner at Trattoria da Emilia in Marina Grande below Sorrento. It was on the water's edge at sunset and was simple, fun, and memorable.

I was just in Manarola and had a wonderful dinner at Trattoria dal Billy. It is at the top of a very steep hill but well worth the climb. Excellent food, beautiful location, and vey friendly staff.

Florence - near Medicee Chapel/mausoleum/San Lorenzo Church. Trattoria Antellesi - via Faenza 9. This is a small, "come as you are" place. Eat inside or at a table on street. Very good traditional Florentine food. Wine is good and inexpensive. Our bill for large bottle of water, 1/2 bottle (short bottle) Chianti, 16oz can of soda pop, 1 generous plate of excellent pasta, 1 plate chicken and potato, bread/olive oil, and 1 plate of roasted potatoes was about 42-45 euro. We ate here twice. Family speaks broken English - but hardly any problem with ordering. Nice family-run place. Cozy. If near Brancacci Chapel - go to Sabatino's Trattoria near the arch of Porta Frediano. authentic, friendly, and not expensive. We were the only English speakers in the place. Mostly local Italians eat here. It doesn't get any more Italian than Sabatino's. Food is very good.

After reading rave reviews about Trattoria Sostanza in Florence it was high on our list on a recent trip. We loved it! The butter chicken is their specialty and it was fabulous. Dessert was very nice--house specialty as well--a meringue, chocolate chips, and tiny strawberries concoction. Reservation is a must: seatings at 7:30 &9:30. It is located not far from SMN train station and near the Arno.

Thanks for the great suggestions. I will definitely be trying some of them out.

I'll third Trattoria Sostanza, excellent food served in an old school setting. Bistecca Florentina, Butter Chicken, and don't miss the Raspberry Torta Cake, made that day by your friendly waiter.

Florence:
Chingiale Bianco Osteria
http://www.cinghialebianco.com/
incredible regional dishes
Trattoria Mama Gina
http://www.mammagina.it/ENG/index.html
lovely!

Rome:
a new restaurant than we went to last week which features food of the Emilio Romagna region:
Parmaroma
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d3698259-Reviews-ParmAromA-Rome_Lazio.html