Philip

We are 6 people from Texas. Important - are traveling to Italy in April -- may be too cold to eat outdoors. We have been to Italy about 10 times. We enjoy local color and food -- and did I mention wine. Have spent way too much time on Trip Advisor and would appreciate your thoughts:

Have eaten at the following OR look very favorable for this trip -- what should we add, modify or subtract:

Venice: Taverna San Travaso (staying across canal at Pensione Accademia); others?

Bucine area: Osteria I'Orciaia and Locanda Casariccio; L'Antico Portale; Osteria del Borro

Florence: La Giostra (going downhill?); Cacio Vino Trallalla

Siena: Antica Osseria de Divo -- prefer something within the walls!

Montepulciano: Osteria del Borgo -- prefer something with the walls!

Tuscany: Castello Banfi La Taverna -- try it you will like it!

Naples: (only staying at Hotel Excelsior because have early flight from Naples back to states) am interested in nice restaurant along the wharf (close to hotel) -- any suggestions?

Positano: II Ritrovo

Sorrento: many restaurants with great views -- however, any suggestions for traditional Italian cooking (and indoors if too cold)

Many thanks for your suggestions!

sandralist

If you like wine, consider Pitti Gola in Florence (Oltrarno area) for a wine tasting meal

For Naples, Ciro a Santa Brigida is an easy walk from your hotel, but it is not on the seafront (and you should ask your hotel to make a reservation for you).

I'm a little puzzled by your request for a restaurant in "Tuscany" -- both Florence and Bucine are in Tuscany. Where else in Tuscany will you be? If you like wine, you want to pick a restaurant close enough to where you are staying that you don't want to drive back from dinner (or vice versa: pick where you want to eat and drink and then look for the closest accommodation, which sometimes can be on the premises in Tuscany).

Philip

Thanks. Probably should have said "other Tuscany" - but you can only use 75 characters in the title so was trying to shorten. Actually, the other Tuscan places are listed in my posting. Again, thanks and will do more research.

sandralist

I see. Well, if you are staying in Castello Banfi, no reason not to eat at the taverna. But if you are not staying there, you just have to think about who will drive afterwards if the reason for choosing to eat there is because of its wine reputation.

Philip

sandralist

Once again, good call. Actually, the first time we ate (and drank) at Castello Banfi we -- drove. Big mistake! Thereafter, we take a small chartered bus (size based on number of friends traveling with us). We row the same boat.

zoecat

Fairly close to Banfi-
http://www.trattoriailpozzo.com/

I had a very nice lunch there. There is another restaurant in the same town that some people said was also good, but I don't remember the name of it. It is a very small town.

La Pieve is beautiful and the food is very good.

Near Montepuciano-
Osteria La Botte Piena, located in Montefollonico. Beautiful inside with dining outside also. A fantastic wine selection and excellent food (try the baked cheese). Good prices too. Run by a brother and sister- she cooks, he serves and recommends wines.

http://www.ristorantelabottepiena.com/


For something different and if you are near Lucignano d'Asso around lunch time, stop by the allementari located in this tiny hamlet and order the cheese/meat/fruit/veg plates. Wine is served in carafes. It is very casual, all local food and served by the owner of the store. The allementari is the only open business in the hamlet. I highly recommend eating outside if the weather is nice.

If you are exploring Mt Amiata and near the town of Piancastagnaio, have lunch at Anna. Yum.

Blueeyedcod

NAPLES - just outside your hotel is a little marina accessed via the walkway to Castel dell Ovo - the restaurant La Scialuppa is a good one and a lovely atmosphere right on the water.

You could also consider the cluster along Via Partenope (the street on which the Excelsior is located) - Antonio e Antonio is good but walk by and browse the menus - see what takes your fancy. It's too bad you have such a brief time in Naples as it is a food lovers paradise.

VENICE - I love Da Marisa but it is in the Cannaregio neighbourhood so may not be convenient however if you're in the area, do visit for lunch. They have no menu, the server will just tell you what is 'on' for the day - and its' always good.

SORRENTO - Delfino is down on Marina Piccolo and is beautiful - even in early April. They have outdoor heaters so sit outside and enjoy the water if you can.

ekc

I could never handle a ride up a twisty road in the dark after dinner, so I have never made it to Ritrovo above Positano. Having eaten my 9th meal there two weeks ago, I can highly recommend Le Tre Sorelle, right on the beach. Excellent grilled seafood and pasta, a good wine list, great service and fantastic people watching.

If it is views you are looking for in Positano, reserve a road-side table at Bruno. The views over town are fantastic and the food is good too.

Lo Guaracino on the walkway to Fornillo Beach also has good views of the sea and good food, including a very good pizza.

ekc

And I could never go to Florence without eating at Sostanza.

ekscrunchy

Skip Il Ritrovo above Positano. Although food in pretty decent, the place is a tourist assembly line.


You can do much better in Venice than San Trovaso. What is your price range?

I would forget TripAdvisor and look elsewhere for reports on restaurants.

Philip

Again, thanks for good suggestions. Price range -- lunch, say about $50-$75/person -- dinner, actually about the same. Both including wine. These are everyday prices not splurge meals.

FYI I asked my brother (very seasoned traveler) what were his favorite places in Venice: Osteria di Santa Marina and Osteria San Marco.

ekc

Oh yes, do not pay attention to TA for restaurant suggestions. The Italy board on Chowhound is my go-to.

Our favorite in Venice is Antiche Caramapane.

Grandma

We always had a meal at Corte Sconta when we visited Venice. Trick was to drink a lot of prosecco and just hand over the credit card.
Dining is mostly in the courtyard in good weather.