I come from a landlocked place and my wife and I would like to enjoy some nice fish when we potentially come to Italy in January. We know for sure we're going to Rome and will spend a week or 10 days. We'd like a day trip or 2 or maybe to see 1 or 2 other cities that are easy to get to on a train and don't have a huge budget but are ok with spending a little more for real quality. At that time of year where would it be good to visit besides Rome and make sure we get good fish dinners? Or what is the seasonal menu in places around Rome or accessible cities like? Thanks for your advice.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23318 posts
There only place you really find season seafood will be small fishing villages along the coast areas. Otherwise, everything is transported much like the US. Personally I think the best time to visit Rome and say, Florence, is October followed by May. January is OK but not that great a time. But any time is better than not. January will be cooler, rainy, and, of course, short days, long nights. So trade off with slightly fewer tourists. Most good guide will direct you to the better restaurants and Rome has few thousands. By the time you figuring travel times, I would shot for at least two weeks. Come on a Wed and leave on a Wed so you have two good weekends.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15232 posts
Try "Sapore di Mare" near the Pantheon.
http://www.saporedimarearoma.it
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11356 posts
We get great seafood here year round! One of our very favorite restaurants is a bit of a trip out of the center, but they get fresh seafood from Anzio daily. It's called La Fraschetta del Pesce and it is very reasonably priced. There are also myriad Sardegnian restaurants like L'isola D'Oro, Ristorante Garigliano, Il Drappo and Costa Paradiso with great fish menus. Even our favorite Roman trattoria, Antica Taverna, has seafood daily although it is not a specialty.
Venezia (Venice) is chock-a-block with seafood. Try Trattoria da Remigio or Ai Artisti.
With a week, I would suggest 4 nights Roma and 3 nights Venezia (start in Venezia) and with 10 days, add in Firenze, where you can eat great meat.
Posted by
Boston
1708 posts
Italian do love seafood, and even inland restaurants will feature it. At the risk of starting a food war, I would advise that in ordering, be aware that lobster will probably be a rock lobster (no claw meat) and 'shrimp scampi' is an illogical term and not an Italian dish. A scampi is a different creature from a shrimp, and one that I don't find especially rewarding - having been spoiled by the North Atlantic lobster. I also find that shrimp are not as tasty or succulent in Italy and tend to be smaller.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11356 posts
Mike those are excellent warnings! I would add that shellfish is usually served in the shells, making it a bit of work and messy. So seafood risotto will probably have whole shrimp, shells, legs, heads and all.