Il Canto del Maggio about 45 minutes south of Florence in a little hill town called Pena. It sits on the very top of a peak and you can see for miles or kilometers that is.

Holy Guacamole don't forget Ristoro di Lamole near Greve.

AND:

The views at Osteria La Porta are great for your aorta in Monticchiello.

((H))

ditto Fortuny Terrace at Hotel Cipriani

restaurante belforte in vernazza

alineadombra - venice

Sorrento
Terrace of Hotel Minerva; we had only breakfast and, later, drinks in the evening.
Restaurant across the road from Hotel Minerva, excellent food and fantastic views.
Terrace and garden of Foreigners' Club. Food Ok, views at night, magical. Go for dessert and drinks.

bookmarking

Great idea! What wonderful information. I remember sitting rooftop Hotel Danieli (Venice) sipping cocktails with my sweetie in the middle of the afternoon. Memorable! The view (and company) was breathtaking.

flyergirl- not a "view" question, but do you have favorite hotel in Portofino? Would love to stay at Splendido, but I don't think I can justify the $$$$$ rates! Outrageous! Any other suggestions?

La Terrazza in Paciano, in Umbria. OMG what a view! Of all Umbria, it seemed. And the simplicity and unctuousness of the food was incomparable.

I doubt anyone would ever find this place, but if you do, enjoy!

How about a small family restaurant overlooking the little port of Corricella on the island of Procida? http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p38265198.html The fish is less than an hour out of the sea: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p48541447.html And Corricella has to be one of the most beautiful places in Italy: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p29493142.html

My second choice would be breakfast outside on the deck of the slow overnight ferry from Naples to the Aeolians, watching the sun rise behind Stromboli: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p37969650.html

This is tied with dinner in the anfiteatro in Lucca, under a full moon: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p30247305.html

julia. We must have eaten at the same place in Procida -- I have similar pictures from the same angle. But what is the name of it, do you know? I never wrote it in my journal -- maybe because we never saw the name of the restaurant? We sat outside at one of the few tables and just loved it for a long lunch.

La Sponda at the Le Sirenuse Hotel in Positano.
Imago at the Hassler Hotel in Rome.
La Fontelina in Capri(open only for lunch)
Lido del Faro in Capri.

Rosselinis at the Palazzo Sasso in Ravello. Eating outdoors here was an experience I will never forget. The hotel itself was exceptional.
http://www.palazzosasso.com/en/dinin...nt-ravello.php

NeoPatrick, the name is Ristorante La Lampara. Here it is, the salmon-pink building clinging to the cliff, with Terra Murata looming over it: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50639287.html

And here it is, name and all: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50639288.html

I haven't met many people who have even heard of Procida, much less been there. It's one of my favorite places to spend a few days unwinding from travel in Italy. In addition to enjoying fresh fish and calamari at La Lampara, I love to have breakfast on the small terrace of my albergo, shaded by orange and olive trees, on a bluff overlooking the Bay of Naples: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50640691.html You are brought a tray with good strong coffee, hot milk, bread and croissants and fresh orange juice: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50640689.html The view is out over Marina Grande: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50640684.html

The Bay is busy with boats large and small, each cutting a determined path toward its destination, the aliscafi leaping across the water trailing turquoise tails, the larger ferries plowing deliberately ahead, each taking its part in the delicate choreography of shipping lanes which criss-cross the sea. In the background, Vesuvius & Capo Miseno in silhouette, emerging from the mist of early morning: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/p50640686.html

Julia, yes, that's it -- La Lampara. Thanks for helping me fill in a long vacant blank in my journal!