It is my first time to italy, like to ask for recommendation to good, but cheap resturaunts in Rome, Florence, and Venice. The only thing is...I dont understand italian, was wondering if most of the menus in italy have english translations? Am i supposed to tip in resturaunts? Also, from hearing about "mad cow" disease....will it be safe to eat steak in italy?

Ty, <BR> <BR>You ask a lot of questions, and this will be a partial answer. <BR> <BR>See www.timeout.com for many good restaurant ideas; www.fodors.com (the home page), too. <BR> <BR>I just posted the name of a nifty "dictionary" web site on the threa about Fettucine Alfredo. <BR> <BR>Tip about as much as the tooth fairy brings. And of course, more, if you are very happy and simply want to give a gift to your wait staff. <BR> <BR>And it is safer to eat steak in Italy than it is to drive from your home to the airport to get to Italy. you can find endless posts on this subject, here on this forum. <BR> <BR>

Ty: The touristic and more expensivve or international well-known places have usually their menues translated (but not too well either). But I gather you rather look for cheaper restaurants. They certainly won't have their menues translated. So, just take a small dictionary along with you. In Venice, stay away from eating near Piazza San Marco. It is really too expensive. In Florence, you find nice little places near the Food Market (mercato centrale). I do not know to much about Rome. At the time I was there, we used to go to Trastevere. Quite typical district with good small restaurants. I would just see, whether any Italians are in the restaurant. Then go. Italians love to eat and wouldn't go to a bad place. PS: In a "Ristorante " you usually can't get just pasta or pizza. You would have to go to a "Pizzeria" or a "Spaghetteria". You can also have little delicious snacks at places called "rosticceria" (= what you call Deli). Then, the Italians in general rather speak French than English except for touristic places. Buon viaggio!

You can get just pasta in a ristorante, we did. Pizzerias in Rome are usually open only after 8pm but you can get pizza elsewhere. <BR>If you really need a translation, the American Bar near Piazza del Republica did a passible lasagna and grilled chicken. But I'd recomment the Abruzzi <BR>Via del Vaccaro 1, tel: 06.679.3897, on one side of Piazza SS. Apostoli, short walk from Piazza Venezia, popular with students due to good food and reasonable prices. 12:3-3, 7:30--? <BR>We had a great lunch there. Very friendly waiters, very tender lamb! <BR> <BR>Doug

Don't forget most restaurants will have 'coperto' (cover charge) added to the bill. Usually this includes the bread basket on your table. Sometimes even a jug of water. Payment is mandatory, whether you avail yourself of the bread or not.

Many restaurants have menus in Italian and English. Take a good translation book with you to assist. Many Italian waiters also speak English and are glad to help. I have a few great restaurants listed on my websight, check it out! I also have a link on my EAT page which has some tips for eating out in Rome. <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/ <BR> <BR>If you have any questions, let me know!

Ty, I don't speak Italian and I got around OK. I'm plagiarizing myself here, but here is where you can eat in Florence: <BR> <BR>For a quick & tasty lunch while you are walking around: There is a cheap, good sandwich shop (I don't know the name) in a little hallway called Volta S. Piero. This hallway links Borgo Degli Albizi with Via Della Oriulo. If you are coming from Borgo Degli Albizi, the hallway is on the left, and this yummy sandwich shop is the first (maybe only) one on the right. The bread is warm, he chicken is stuffed with cheese, and you can custom order your sandwich (as so many of the students do) because the woman behind the <BR>counter is obviously a transplanted American. Just don't order vegetarian--all the veggies are pickled. <BR> <BR>Venice is basically a tourist town, so most restaurants have English-speaking staff & menu translations. Rome is almost as touristy, so you would find the same. No worries!