DINA

My husband and I are very excited in going to Italy and we love food ! What was your most memorable/favorite meal - where was it - (name of restaruant)?

Judy

Hello Dina. All I can say is Italian food is heavenly! My very, very FAVORITE style food in the WORLD! One of the better relatively inexpensive meals we had in Rome, was at "Orso 80"! We just had what they call a "special appetizer" with at least 10 differant, wonderful small servings(enough for 3-4 people). We could NOT eat it all, but it was so very, very good!,,,,.they had a nice wine list too! I love the concept of small servings, so one can try lots of differant things... We truly loved the garbonzo beans with tomatoes...ate them all, and asked for more! The waiters were very accommodating,,,,do try thr antipasti special! And I always wanted to eat and drink my way thru Italy.....Judy ;-)

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Dina, Try the risotto con porcini at the La Cisterna Hotel in San Gimignano. <BR>Their veal is also magnifico. I will be eager to try the Cane&Gato in Siena this April--have heard good things.

Phil

Dina, <BR> <BR>Try the perennial menu #1 at Harry's Dolci on Giudecca island in Venice: <BR>Tuna tartar as a starter, followed by the most heavenly vegetable risotto, impeccably served on the terrace with a fantastic view of Dorsoduro.. <BR> <BR>enjoy <BR> <BR>Phil

Mariarosa

Phil - the menu #1 at Harry's Dolci on Giudecca sounds heavenly - around how much is it? Thanks!

Matt

Gelato,gelato,gelato!!!

Kris

Vin Santo and Biscotti <BR> <BR>Limoncello!

rlk

Technically not a 'meal', but for me what immediately springs to mind is the gelato from Vivoli's in Florence.

hungry

mussels in seacoast areas in province of Messina,Sicily <BR> <BR>steak, pork, or rabbit in Tuscany <BR> <BR>soups in Tuscany <BR> <BR>crusty bread in the country <BR> <BR>granite (especially limone or mandorla) in Sicily <BR> <BR>wild greens in Sicily <BR> <BR>ricotta-filled pastries in Sicily <BR> <BR>all sorts of eggplant dishes in Sicily <BR> <BR>oranges in Sicily <BR> <BR>

scigirl

Oh - The food in Italy is heavenly! The most memorable food from a recent trip was a calzone sort of thing purchased from a street vendor in Naples. I think it was actually baked over some sort of coals in his cart. It was filled with tomato slices and ricotta. My husband, who HATES tomatoes, gobbled it up and we fought over the crumbs. We had great meals in restaurants too - but the calzone was to die for. <BR> <BR>Gelato, of course. And, don't forget, the wonderful local wines available everywhere.

Heather

Having made the mistake of not keeping notes my first trips, off the top of my head ... the fresh pasta with (very light) lobster sauce at La Tortuga in Monterosso and the zabaglione at the restaurant in the Allbergo Silvio in Bellagio and lots of gelato. But, my budgets are modest and I'm less experience than the many, many wise veteran Italy travelers here.

JohnC

The food is wonderful everywhere in Italy, but our most memorable meal was completely serendipitous. We were flying out of Milan on an early morning flight, and hadn't reserved a place to stay the night before. We drove too far and tried to do too much that day, and ended up searching in the dark for a hotel near the airport (which is way out in the country). We ended up at an overpriced motel, in an industrial area along the highway. We asked the desk clerk if there was anywhere to eat nearby, and she said there was a pizzeria a kilometer down the road. We followed her directions, and sure enough saw a sign pointing down a road that disappeared into some woods. We continued, on what soon became a dirt road, with nothing in sight. It was very dark, and we were getting uneasy, when the road suddenly widened into a parking lot, with a big sign reading "Pizzeria al Bosco" Literally, the "Pizzeria in the Woods". <BR> <BR>When we walked in, it was like stepping into someone's giant living room. Big brick ovens, long tables with families eating and drinking, warm welcomes (nobody spoke English). They had an extensive menu, in addition to wonderful pizza. I ate a steak in green peppercorn sauce that would shine in any gourmet restaurant. Beautiful desserts, good wine, a complimentary limoncello. A perfect ending to our trip. <BR> <BR>The moral: good food is everywhere in Italy, and the best experiences may be in the least expected places. Be sure to stray from the beaten path and poke your head into funny little places. Buon appetitto!

mk

nice story, John C.

Gary

Gelato without a doubt. Unbelievable flavors!!!

Erin

The artichokes, with the long stem still attached, artfully placed alongside the entree...delicious.

sandi

Absolutley everything, but especially the Pizza Margerita in Florence (simple and wonderful)@ the Antica Pizzeria dell’Arte on via del Giglio, 28 and homemade minestrone @ Ristorante Bar Anfiteatro on Via Anfiteatro Romano, 4. <BR>Even the ordinary pasta with pomodoro was incredible...

Dina

Thanks to all !. <BR> <BR>This is a stupid question - but what is Gelato - Is it Italian for Ice Cream ?

Phil

Mariarosa: <BR> <BR>Sorry about having kept you waiting (I had to check my credit card statement <BR> <BR>I paid 200'000 lire for two people, wine, dessert (3 scoops of heavenly ice cream [gelato in Italian, quite correct, Dina]) and Espresso included last June. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip <BR> <BR>Phil

Rex

Actually, "ice cream" is English for something we eat here in America because we don't have GELATO! (wink) <BR> <BR>Yes, Dina, gelato is "ice cream". <BR>

Mariarosa

Thanks Phil for such accurate information!