Rome, Florence, & Venice - Recomended restaraunts

Jessica, We were in Rome and Venice a few weeks ago. We never had a bad meal. We enjoyed the small ostarias as well as the larger restorantes. You could do the three course dinners as you mentioned but we didn't do that. You could order single dishes very easily. We ate at a small place just down from the Trevi fountain and it was wonderful. We heard that eating off the beaten path was where you would find the good food and less touristy places but let's face it. We're tourists and I wanted to eat my meal with a spectacular view. We ate at Piazza Novana with Berninis fountain in front of us. Did I pay more? Probably. Was the food good? Yes it was. Very good as a matter of fact. Eat where you want and don't be afraid to order smaller courses. And don't forget to get some pizza. It spoiled me so bad I doubt I can enjoy pizza here in the states anymore. Have fun, Bob

Ciao, Jessica. In Florence, lunch at the simple little Bar San Michele (across from Orsanmichelle Church) is SO good, especially the spinacci and ricotta calzone! Also in Florence, Trattoria Gobbi 13 is amazing for dinner. Been there twice, once on Christmas Eve and once in the summer..both delightful meals. Note that both of these are recommended in RS Italy (at least they were a few years, ago). We've had lousy luck in Venice with food...tend to stick to appetizers, pizza, sandwiches, as a result. Maybe we gave up too soon after a few visits. Rome: so many choices, most good. Anything that doesn't look like it caters only to tourists (the signage and menus should give some clues) should be good. I don't have a favorite.

Gio: What exactly do you mean by menus and sinage?? As far as 'touristy'? Going in October, looking forward to the food too!! Thanks!!

I think Gio is referring to restaurants whose menus and signs indicate the fact that they cater to tourists, instead of sticking to traditional (and better!) Italian fare. You are more than likely to get less quality food at a higher price at such places. Bright neon signs that read "WE SPEAK ENGLISH AND ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS" is a no-no. Restaurants that are tucked away so that you didn't even know they were restaurants is a yes-yes. I don't think English menus mean anything because some great places now have English menus, but I personally would stay away from a place where the menu that looks like it came straight out of Applebee's. An all-Italian menu, though needing translation, is a better indication the food is authentic and good and worth every penny (stick your RS's Italian Phrase Book up under the table and decode the menu inconspicuously...) Bon appetito!

You order food at restaurants in Italy the same way you do in the U.S: Tell the waiter what you want! Food is organized in different sections, much as it is on menus in the U.S. Antipasti are appetizers; primi is primarily pasta dishes, though sometimes soups are listed here too; secondi are the main courses - meat, fish, seafood, non-meat; and dolce, which are desserts! Unlike the U.S., where main courses are usually served with side dishes right on the same place, it's more customary in Italy for the side dishes to be ordered separately; often they'll be under the heading "Contorni." You can share the side dishes with others in your group or eat them all yourself! You do not have to order an item from every course. You can share dishes with other people in your group. If one person orders an antipasto and a pasta, and someone else orders a pasta and a secondi, the restaurant will usually figure it out, and serve both people's first dish at the same time, and then the second dish at the same time. Sometimes they'll ask you. Venice is less known for good food than the other places. What kind of price range do you have in mind?

I meant precisely what Monique said! Grazie, Monique.