Heading to a Florence/Rome trip at end of Feb. and am interested in any reccs for reasonably priced restarants in both cities (defined as entrees around $12 -15 per person, or a bill for 2 $50.00(US or less) Staying near Plaza Santa Croce in Florence, and Via Veneto in Rome. Thanks in advance for any hints and happy new year to all.

In Florence, La Cingale Bianco--small, family-owned restaurant that is very popular with both locals and tourists, it seems. Cross Ponte Vecchio to "other side", turn right immediately onto Jacopo "street" (can't remember Italian word for street at this moment), and it's a couple blocks down on the left side.

Didn't look right, so I checked it out: Osteria Cinghiale Bianco, Borgo Jacopo. Good food, ambience.

Hi! I was in Firenze for a month this summer. Everyday we went for lunch and dinner at a different restaurant or tratoria. And only about 2 where not that great but you basically cannot go wrong! We even ordered the house wines and they were grea too. I'd go to tratorias and one that I recall is &quot;tratoria di Mario&quot; and the one next to it are very good. they are at the mercado centrale area.<BR>Was in Rome for a couple of weeks too. I suggest you do not dine at any of the Via Veneto sidewalk restaurants its only touristy and expensively untasteful.<BR>i'll go over my scrapbook and give you specifics laterz.

My husband and I dined at Il Baldovino (the Enoteca) in Florence and was very reasonable. We had salad, dinner, bottle of wine and dessert for under 40 euro and it was absolutely delicious. I think it is close to Santa Croce...I forget the specific address.<BR>Enjoy your trip...and make sure to stop and get a hot chocolate at Rivoire in Piazza della Signoria in Florence!

I have just a few suggestions. First a couple of good sources for restaurant recommendations are: Gambero Rosso Rome, Sandra Gustafsen's book, Slow Travel web site, and someone has a book on Italian Trattoria's that also looks good.<BR>My personal suggestions in your price range:<BR>Rome:<BR> Il Brillo Parlante at via della fontanella near P. Popolo,about 20 min walk from the V. Veneto. <BR> Il Regno di Napoli at via Romagna, about 5 min from the V. Veneto, Pizzeria.<BR> Trimani il Wine bar at via Cernaia, near the train station, about 20 minutes from the V. Veneto. <BR>Florence:<BR> Trattoria ZaZa at the Mercato Centrale about a 20 minte walk from the Santa Croce.<BR> Good luck and happy traveling.