Venice, Florence, Rome - Restaurant Recommendations Needed!

Hi Karen,
Recently returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Italy - Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan.
I am sad to say that there is a lot of mediocre food in Rome, Florence and Venice and much of it alas, is "not" authentic- not surprising given the cities are major tourist destinations but it makes it challenging for travellers. However, with some preplanning (and a willingness to spend some time getting from one part of town to another) you can eat very well in each of these cities. I highly recommend Elizabeth Minchilli's apps - Eat Rome, Eat Florence and Eat Venice which are available in the Itunes app store. The apps are very easy to use (you don't need data or wifi to use them) and every single restaurant we tried was absolutely spot on - truly the best meals we had in Italy. What I liked about the apps was that she lists a wide variety of restaurants - from high end to truly budget friendly so depending upon what you are interested in, you can probably find something to suit your needs.

You also might try her Blog (www.Elizabethminchilliinrome.com) for ideas as well.

Chowhound also has some good threads on restaurants in Italy.

Karen:
I always overplan my trips, and go as far as to research restaurants in the area of my hotels.
And I seldom, if ever, eat at any of the places planned.
If you're looking for a restaurant in a specific area, just ask the front desk at your hotel or B&B host. They'll know where the authentic places are to eat.

Italians often eat course after course--massive amounts of food. My wife and I are not used to eating so heavily, so we often limit ourselves to a couple of courses.
Let me just warn you about some of the Venitian restaurants charging "sit down fees." They're going to be noted in very small writing on the menus--usually in Italian. Just be aware that there are some of these in touristy areas.
You'll love Orvieto, and there are some really good B&B's there. We had a really good meal up in the city, however I don't recall the restaurant's name.

There are many good choices in all those cities, but often people tend to eat in the areas where they happen to be at lunch/dinner time.
I gave several recommendations in Florence in an earlier post this month that you can probably search. The advice to ask your hotel staff is good, however nowadays most of them in those cities are not Italian (most hotel and restaurant staffers are from Eastern Europe). The tough trick is to spot Italians in the crowd.
In a restaurant or in a shop the only Italian is probably the owner. That is easy to spot. S/he is the one behind the cash register. A good way is to enter a shop (not a restaurant), go to the cash register person and ask for suggestions.
Small hotels and B&B will likely be owned by Italians, but the staff is likely 100% immigrants. If you are at a small hotel or B&B, find out who owns the place. That is likely the only Italian there.
Taxi drivers are all Italians. Citizenship is required for a taxi license and the cost of getting one is so high that I've never met a taxi driver who was a migrant (all taxi drivers in Italy are self employed owners organized in a cooperative, not employed by a company). They are a good source of info, but they'll tend to suggest restaurants that will require a taxi ride, so they'll make some money. If you take a taxi for other reasons, at the end of the ride ask them for some names then.
Municipal Police officers are all Italians and likely native of that city. They have a white hat. They are a good source. State Police and Carabinieri are mostly southern Italians. They are a good source too especially for donuts (policemen around the world share a donut addiction).
High school kids and college kids are a good source for good cheap restaurants and pizzerie. If you see a bunch getting out of school at the end of the school day (1:30pm) ask them. They are likely to speak better English than anybody else too.
Construction workers are 100% Romanian or Albanian, therefore not necessarily a good source of knowledge for real Italian food. However they probably know the cheap trattorie.

I love your replies on this site ROBERTO. I always learn something new from you. Thanks.

In Venice, we like La Zucca ( reserve several days in advance!). Da Remigio, Nono Risoroto (a Rick Pick), and the occasional pub crawl. La Zucca is a tourist destination by now, but there's nothing wrong with that if the food is good. :-)

Rome - we eat out all the time and usually away from the madding crowd. Some places near the historic center, some a 10 minute cab ride out. Prati, where you are staying, is one of our favorite neighborhoods and one where you will find many Romans dining. As Rick says, get away from the main piazzas and you will find gems. I get asked so much that I have a list prepared for our guests here

In Orvieto try Al Pozzo Etrusco.

In Venice, I highly suggest Rosa Rossa. We ate there 3 nights out of 5 and loved it. The prices were very reasonable and the quality of food was great as well! We really enjoyed every meal we had there. From the Rialto bridge, it's probably a 5-10 minute walk; not far at all...though plan to get lost and leave double the amount of time to find it!!

We love Rosa Rossa. It is a great choice for Venice. Your kids will like it too after you tell them itis Johnny Depp' s favorite place. His jacket is there in a glass case in one of the back rooms. The food is good, the prices moderate, and the atmosphere pleasant and friendly.

I am more sure what "seating charge" David is referring to, but it is not a scam as he claims in the Tourist Scam section. Many restaurants all over Italy charge a coperto or cover charge of 2€ euros or so per person. It is stated on the menu, generally at the bottom. And bars and cafes charge different prices for beverages, depending whether you sit at a table or take them standing at the bar.

The cafes on Piazza San Marco charge high prices for beverages if you are seated at a table while their orchestra is playing. You are paying for the pleasure of enjoying the music while seated. (Just as you would pay to attend a concert). But many of us just walk by and enjoy the music for free, and go have a beverage somewhere less expensive.

My favorite meal in Rome in the fall was at Taverna Trilussa. Amazing Ravioli's served out of a pot was unique. It's in Travestere area.

In Florence it was Trattoria Sostanza for us. Butter chicken, Bistecca Florentina (from the Italian Chianni cow), soups, pasta, and incredible desserts that were quite possibly made that day by your waiter. Really good, fresh, classic casual. Reservation recommended.
Enjoy!

Dave

Taverna Trilussa in Rome is great! Also Isola della Pizza near the Vatican.