Must eat-at restaurants in Paris, Florence and Rome
Sep 12th, 2012, 03:40 PM
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Must eat-at restaurants in Paris, Florence and Rome
Will be heading to Paris, Florence and Rome in mid-October. Does anyone know of great places to eat at in these cities? Would love suggestions ...
Sep 12th, 2012, 04:53 PM
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What do you mean by "great"?
Are you asking for the 4 or 5 best places in town? Do you want MIchelin starred places with big price tags?
Are you asking for good typical places at a more moderate price?
"Great" in this sense is puffery - it has no meaning. You really need to tell us what you're thinking.
And I don;t think there are any "must eat" places - except for a bucket list.
That said - I love Harry's in Venice. Yes, it's expensive and can be considered a tourist trap - if you look at it that way. But to me, you are getting a view, an atmosphere and excellent food - so it's worth it.
Are you asking for the 4 or 5 best places in town? Do you want MIchelin starred places with big price tags?
Are you asking for good typical places at a more moderate price?
"Great" in this sense is puffery - it has no meaning. You really need to tell us what you're thinking.
And I don;t think there are any "must eat" places - except for a bucket list.
That said - I love Harry's in Venice. Yes, it's expensive and can be considered a tourist trap - if you look at it that way. But to me, you are getting a view, an atmosphere and excellent food - so it's worth it.
Sep 13th, 2012, 07:15 AM
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Many people consider Sostanza in Florence a restaurant not to miss.
In Rome, you can either go very high end -- La Pergola -- or you can go for really traditional Roman food (which includes a lot of organ meats, including lung, tripe, etc) at Checchino dal 1887. For me, personally, the dining experience "not-to-miss" in Rome is the either the large and convivial Roman trattoria (walk through Trastevere and pick one by nose and noise) or the family-run trattoria that hasn't changed in several decades, serving homey food. My favorite is Settimio al Pellegrino. Roman pizza is also my favorite pizza in Italy, so you might want to track down a good Roman pizzeria (they are usually only open at night).
Don't know what to say about Paris. Some people would consider Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower their "must do". Others might pick Bofinger. Still others might say a Constant-owned restaurant. Depends on what you want and what you want to spend. I like to eat oysters at midnight at someplace like Le Dome, and I think crepes from a crepe stand are special too.
In Rome, you can either go very high end -- La Pergola -- or you can go for really traditional Roman food (which includes a lot of organ meats, including lung, tripe, etc) at Checchino dal 1887. For me, personally, the dining experience "not-to-miss" in Rome is the either the large and convivial Roman trattoria (walk through Trastevere and pick one by nose and noise) or the family-run trattoria that hasn't changed in several decades, serving homey food. My favorite is Settimio al Pellegrino. Roman pizza is also my favorite pizza in Italy, so you might want to track down a good Roman pizzeria (they are usually only open at night).
Don't know what to say about Paris. Some people would consider Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower their "must do". Others might pick Bofinger. Still others might say a Constant-owned restaurant. Depends on what you want and what you want to spend. I like to eat oysters at midnight at someplace like Le Dome, and I think crepes from a crepe stand are special too.
Sep 13th, 2012, 02:13 PM
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It also helps to know what part of the cities you will be staying in. I'd think you might want restaurant recommendations at least in the same general area, to avoid traveling 30 mins. across town just for dinner?
Sep 13th, 2012, 02:29 PM
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The OP didn't ask for recommendations for a restaurant serving Roman dishes - they asked for a great place to eat in Rome. True that burrata and semi-dried tomatoes is the star, but there are many other fantastic dishes to be had - or at least there have been the last 4 times I have dined there.
La Rosetta is fantastic for seafood. Piperno is also great, and even better if you can sit outside. Tre Sorelle is a little gem and pizza at Pizzarium is fantastic.
La Rosetta is fantastic for seafood. Piperno is also great, and even better if you can sit outside. Tre Sorelle is a little gem and pizza at Pizzarium is fantastic.
Sep 14th, 2012, 05:53 AM
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We are in Rome right now. la Pergola has an outstanding view and the service is great, but s bit much. Very traditional, not stuffy but kind of over the top (they have a water menu). The food was very good and the chef did come out to intro himself. It was pleasant, but we were not blown away. Glass has FAR better food and we will make our second visit there tonight! Beautiful, sleek modern spot in Trastavere....but not cold. Great service and the food is very noteworthy. We also enjoyed La Gensola for seafood.
In Paris, Le Comptoir and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon are our favorites. We also really like Cafe Constant and Les Cocotte in the 7th. Le Souffle is also a good spot if you like souffles.
In Paris, Le Comptoir and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon are our favorites. We also really like Cafe Constant and Les Cocotte in the 7th. Le Souffle is also a good spot if you like souffles.
Sep 14th, 2012, 06:09 AM
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Sep 14th, 2012, 10:10 AM
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ekc,
I took my cue from the title of the thread -- "Must-eat" places. Why travel to Rome and eat food that isn't native to Rome and which you can eat elsewhere? (There's great burrata in Vermont.) There are eating experiences to be had in Rome that aren't duplicated anyplace else. That's what I'd focus when traveling to a destination for perhaps the first and only time.
I took my cue from the title of the thread -- "Must-eat" places. Why travel to Rome and eat food that isn't native to Rome and which you can eat elsewhere? (There's great burrata in Vermont.) There are eating experiences to be had in Rome that aren't duplicated anyplace else. That's what I'd focus when traveling to a destination for perhaps the first and only time.
Sep 14th, 2012, 12:02 PM
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I could probably sit here and recommend several restaurants in Rome that I have completely enjoyed and thought were great (food & service). But not knowing exactly what you are looking for it might not be what you're after. I will however second Denisea's recommendation for Glass in Rome's Trastevere neighborhood, and not only because I told her to go there! LOL! ;-)
But, if you are truly "into" food, I can recommend checking out 2 apps by the Rome-based blogger Elizabeth Minchilli. The apps are EatRome & EatFlorence. I have not used the Florence app, but last March I used the EatRome app and was never disappointed in any meal on that trip. There is another Rome-based blogger, Katie Parla who also has an app called Rome for Foodies, which is also a good food guide.
As for Paris, I'm a big fan of any of the Christian Constant restaurants on Rue St. Dominique in the 7th Arr., but that might not be your style.
If you'd like to check out my food-centric trip report from my week stay in Rome in March, click on my screen name and you can find my trip report listed, as Pizza, Porchetta, Prosecco. That is the latest of my Rome trip reports.
But, if you are truly "into" food, I can recommend checking out 2 apps by the Rome-based blogger Elizabeth Minchilli. The apps are EatRome & EatFlorence. I have not used the Florence app, but last March I used the EatRome app and was never disappointed in any meal on that trip. There is another Rome-based blogger, Katie Parla who also has an app called Rome for Foodies, which is also a good food guide.
As for Paris, I'm a big fan of any of the Christian Constant restaurants on Rue St. Dominique in the 7th Arr., but that might not be your style.
If you'd like to check out my food-centric trip report from my week stay in Rome in March, click on my screen name and you can find my trip report listed, as Pizza, Porchetta, Prosecco. That is the latest of my Rome trip reports.
Sep 15th, 2012, 04:14 AM
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Hi Suze,
>Maybe some people are more "foodie" than I, but personally I wouldn't want to have to haul across several arrondisements just for a meal.<
Dining in Italy or France, and especially in Paris, is not just a meal. You can do that in Kansas, Toto.
A 3* resto is a travel destination.
A 2* is a travel experience.
Even a 1* is something you will remember for years.
.................................................
Hey ekc,
>... lunch at Sostanza!
Buon appetito!
>Maybe some people are more "foodie" than I, but personally I wouldn't want to have to haul across several arrondisements just for a meal.<
Dining in Italy or France, and especially in Paris, is not just a meal. You can do that in Kansas, Toto.
A 3* resto is a travel destination.
A 2* is a travel experience.
Even a 1* is something you will remember for years.
.................................................
Hey ekc,
>... lunch at Sostanza!
Buon appetito!
Sep 15th, 2012, 07:06 AM
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When in Paris, I always make it a point at eating at Cafe Roussillon in the 7th; at the corner of Rue Cler and Rue de Grenelles. They have a fabulous selection of salads, and an Entrecote for two cooked perfectly the way you order it! The wines by the carafe are reasonable and the place has an overall good vibe about it.
Sep 15th, 2012, 08:56 AM
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We just returned from our second trip to Paris; Le Violon d' Ingres (Christian Constant)was one of our favorite meals. Food was great; staff was so warm and attentive -- even walked us out and got us settled into our taxi at the end of the evening. Also greatly enjoyed Le Comptoir.
