osteria le logge in siena

la vena di vino in volterra

ristorante la mora in lucca

cantinetta antinori in firenze

Da Sergio, Vicolo delle Grotte 27 (near Campo de’ Fiori)- This is a great little neighborhood spot. Home style Italian cooking. At lunch, it was full of neighborhood types, a few tourists and many regulars. Little English spoken. No credit cards taken. Great food at a very low price by Roman standards. Delicious and fun; a true Roman experience.

Osteria Romana, Via San Paolo alla Regola (near Campo de’ Fiori) - For a true Roman experience with course after course of meat or fish, wonderful outdoor dining with painted umbrellas, and service you usually only dream of. If it was good enough for Bill Clinton when he visited (they will be more than happy to show you the photos), it is certainly good enough for anybody else! Homemade creamy limoncello is not to be missed. If you’re really lucky, they will show you the museum and what they discovered when digging way back into antiquity.

Grotte del teatro di Pompeo, via del Biscione (nr. Campo de’ Fiori)- Roman cuisine, a favourite of locals

la Carbonara, Piazza di Campo de’ Fiori- Roman cuisine, beautiful view onto the square from the upper floor

Le Bain, via Botteghe Oscure (corner Largo Argentina) - Fusion, buffet style, excellent for lunch breaks.

Pierluigi, Piazza de’Ricci (Campo de’Fiori) - Great outdoors dining in the small Piazza de’Ricci. Large patio with good ambience, excellent (but not inexpensive) Roman food.

Cul de Sac, Piazza Pasquino, behind Piazza Navona - A wine bar-restaurant, don’t miss this little place.They are well known for their salame, prosciutto, lardo di colonnata, great cheeses, pates, and the city’s most comprehensive wine list. But you can also have pasta, or try the brandade di baccala’ (cod brandade), the topik (a chickpeas puree, very good). Desserts are also good. Try the coppetta di zabaglione, or fichi with ricotta, if they have them. No reservations - just go, queue up, get in, and enjoy. Good for lunch too; outdoor tables as well. Indoor eating is a bit more quiet though. 20 euros or less per person.

Roscioli–Via dei Giubbonari, 21-22a . It’s a grocery store, a bakery (Via dei Chiavari), wine bar and a restaurant: you get in and start to wipe your chin! Take a look to belive it: http://www.anticofornoroscioli.com/ph...

jerryott, St. Marys, OH

11:44 pm, August 12, 2006

San Gimignano is quite a favorite for those staying near Castellina. There are hundreds and hundreds of wineries where you can go and visit and taste. Just on the south edge of Castellina is a wine co-op where you can buy wines.

Just a little south and west of Castellina is a winery called Rocca della Macie where you can go and taste. Very good.

http://www.roccadellemacie.com/sito/index.php?id_pagine=1&id_lang=2

You can also check out:

http://www.chianticlassico.com/english/home.htm

http://www.tuscany-wine.com/visit_tuscan_wine_estates.htm

http://www.cellartastings.com/en/wine-italy-5.html

italybound@verizon.net

In Rome you *must* go eat at Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia…get the fried
zucchini flowers and the spaghetti with clams….oh my oh my.

http://www.giggetto.it/english/home.htm

Mon May 26?