Best Restaurant
 

Hi! I will be in Florence, Rome and London in 3 weeks. I'm looking for at least one good restaurant in each city...places with a nice atmosphere, good service and great food. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!

there are hundreds in Rome and London, and very many in Florence
did you have a budget in mind?

I know that there are loads of good restaurants in each city. I just want to know what people think are the best. Price is not a factor. Thanks!

are you SURE price is not a factor? The best restaurants in each city will cost a LOT.

Plus, you have given us no idea what sorts of food you enjoy.

Try the Criterion in London.

In Rome, there are tons. If you're looking for good, simple food and a nice atmosphere, PierLuigi's (Pzza di Ricci. Off of Corso Vittorio Emmanuele). A lot of celeb/politician types eat there (last time, we ran into the Ambassador to Italy from Pakistan). It's not as trendy as it was in the 70's, but it's still nice, and it has the best linguine alla vongole, brocoletti, and grilled squid in Rome. (Also good: oriechette w. brocoletti, and any and all filetto/steaks)

If you want something out of the way, there's a nice place called Scarpone (no clue about the address) in the Gianicolo. It's a far-off area, but there's an outdoor garden covered by vines, not to mention great risotto. (Also good: bistecca)

Then again, this is from a resident's perspective; I wouldn't know what's particularly "special" as opposed to what I consider a particularly nice meal.

La Giostra in Florence is always highly recommended.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Royal Hospital Road is the best restaurant in London (the only Michelin 3 star). It takes bookings one calendar month in advance (from 9am), though, so you may be too late. www.gordonramsay.com

We ate at Gordon Ramsey in London and it was fabulous. If you can't get dinner reserations, try it for lunch. That's what we did and were able to try their fabulous food at a more reasonable (???) price. I believe our lunch came to about $200 per person.

Hi C,

I have some recommendations in the Florence part of my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

oops, I meant $200 per couple!

Try Gusto in Rome, Trattoria 4 Leoni in Florence...

Thanks for your suggestions! I really appreciate it :)

We enjoyed the Ambasciada d'Abruzzo in the Parioli section of Rome.

http://www.ambasciata-di-abruzzo.it/

Florence -- Enoteca Pinchiorri (sp?); it had three Michelin stars when we visited, and may have been dropped to two, but it was incredible, with one of the best wine lists we ever encountered. Very expensive.

Rome -- we mostly ate at medium-priced restaurants since many of the top restaurants are in hotels, and we prefer not to dine in hotel restaurants.

London -- Bibendum (great food in a terrific building; excellent wine list)

Hi Charisma:

If you like Indian food, we had a fabulous dinner at Zaika - an upscale, "nouvelle" Indian restaurant. As a "foodie", I thought the food was excellent - innovative, fresh, well-prepared and delicious.

We had one of the tasting menus which included wine - I total for the two of us was somewhere between $200-250 - and well worth it.

Their web site is:

http://www.zaika-restaurant.co.uk

and if you're interested in reading more about it, go to our website where we have travel journals:

www.davidandcarol.com

(Zaika is in the 2003 trip report)

Have a great trip!
Carol

Carol we ate at zaika as well and loved it! However this was over a year ago and I know it recently lost its michelin star (I don't know if that sort of thing matters to you Charisma)?

St John in London is another good choice, IMHO.