My hubby and I are going to Italy for our 25th and are taking a tour to get to see alot in just a few weeks. Any suggestions for places to eat in Rome near the Vatican and in Capri, Assisi, and Florence? Also, what to wear in November would be helpful. We will also be going to Venice. Thanks.

Hi C,

In Florence, you might like Il Ritrovo Via dei Pucci 4/A 055.281688 Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40-50E pp Closed Monday
From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell.

I may see you there! ...lol

I am taking my wife for our 2nd anniversary. November 1 - 10.

We are staying in Rome and Venice, as well. You have good taste!

Anyways, it should be cool 60 during day and 50 at night. It may rain it may be sunny, but November is the wettest month. I live in Florida, so I will take a cool day!

As far as food goes. I never book in advance, unles you need reservations at the premier place in town. Keep in mind it is slow season there.

I just talk to the locals (cab drivers), and hotel staff.
Stroling along an small Via near the Pantheon, you may find you perfect place as if placed there for you by the Gods.
Italy has that magic ability.

For good no frill eats look for Trattoria, I believe is the family style place, with home cooking.

CONGRATULATIONS!! Early Nov is better than later in that month, expect rain in Venice for sure. That said, it is a great time of the year to go if anything because of the lesser crowds that could easily ruin a trip for some people. The following are notes I have shared with friends on restaurants in Rome:

Recommended restaurants:
Osteria Margutta, Via Margutta 82 Excellent pasta dishes.

I Da Mario near the Spanish Steps. It was superb and filled with locals.

Fiaschetteria Beltramme on Via della Croce 39. It is a very bare bones place with delicious homey food. It is listed in some guide books and it's near the Spanish Steps, so it's not exactly off the beaten path, unassuming-looking.

DIFRONTE A Via della Croce, 38, May be a bit pricey, but it is a very good restaurant and pizzeria located just two blocks north of the Condotti and about one full block east of the Corso. It fills up early.

I Leoncino good pizza.

La Capricciosa, Largo dei Lombardi, 8, I suggest reservations if you want to have dinner at a specific time. This is a popular Roman restaurant and pizzeria. Pizza served only at dinner hours. Say hi to Vincenzo, I think he is being there since the Colosseum was under construction. It is located in small square to left of the Corso and the via Della Croce, (two blocks north of the Condotti). Excellent fish, plain roman good food.

Costanza near Campo dei Fiori. Moderately priced; great pasta.

Orso 80 north of Piazza Navona: cheap, Huge serving of antipasto.

Da Gino Vic. Rosini 4, A 10 minute stroll from Piazza di Spagna, just off Piazza del Parliament towards the river. Very good traditional Roman cuisine/fish in a characteristic trattoria. The beautiful frescoes give it a nice touch. Very good service. Try the osso bucco and the tiramisu (I only had it better at Paolo Lombardi Restarurant in West Sand Lake, New York).

Gino in Trastevere V della Lungaretta 85, Fish/Pizza, very modest, My mom LOVED their spaghetti; the best.

Ambasciata D'Abruzzo, Via Pietro Tacchini, 26, There was aline outside of locals (always a good sign). Excellent food. One remark overhead here was do not look at the menu, eat what ever is brought to your table. It is located within the Parioli district near north Rome, best take a taxi to and from. Waiter will call a taxi for your return.

Tre Scalini, Pza Navona, 30 This is a heavily visited restaurant with being in the Piazza Navona, tons of Americans. Food was very good, my Mom and I returned for a couple of meals. Has ice cream parlor next door that was heaven.

Bar Ciampini, Piazza Navona, 44. This is a very good place for having pizza for lunch, good variety of individual pizza has nice outside setting, can get very crowded at night.

Ristorante Nino, via Borgognona, 11, Located two short blocks south of the Spanish Steps, street to the right and short distance down the Borgognona. Would not suggest trying to dine without reservations, fills up very early. Excellent roman food and especially their roman artichokes, meat and pasta dishes were also worthy of notes on my journal.

La Bruschetta, via Sardenga, 39, This is a small pizzeria and restaurant with good plain good. Food looked good.

That said, I hear the BEST restaurants in Rome are at the Trastevere neighborhood and on my next visit to Rome, I am going there as a straight arrow. Have a wonderful time in Italy and CHEERS!!

As far as clothes go..layer, layer, layer. You will probably have very cool mornings, fairly warm afternoons and cool evenings. You should be able to peel a layer or two off during the day and reapply at night.

I'm still amazed that, given this restaurant's location in Rome, it still hasn't been overrun by tourists. Go to Ristorante Scanderberg in Piazza Scanderberg, about 2 blocks up from Trevi Fountain. When I was there in 1999, it was a little 6-table hole-in-the-wall. This year, they had "expanded" into the piazza with some outdoor tables. Yes, it was more touristy than it was 6 years ago, but still, it wasn't overrun.

They serve local Roman food: bucatini all'amatriciana, spaghetti cacio e pepe, etc. Prices were about €8-10 for pasta. And the best part is that it is only 2 blocks away from Gelateria San Crispino!

In Rome, my favorite restaurants are Re Degli Amici on Della Croce, next to Piazza D/Spagna, Tavernetta on Via Sistina, right around the corner from Piazza Barberini. The owner is a pleasant man who looks like Luciano Paverotti. The have minstrals on Friday and Saturday who sing Neopolitan music. Specialty fish.
Tre Scalini only for lunch. Average food, but great for people watching. Also, try the dessert "Tartufo".
Ambasciata D'Abbruzzo is fun, and I also enjoy Il'Matriciana in Parioli.
Fun night is De Meo Petacco in Trastevere.
That said, wherever you go, you'll find really good food. Sometime it's just the idea that you're in Rome that makes everything A-OK.
Enjoy,
Alberto