Umbria Retaurants - Kid Friendly or Parents' Night Out
 

Three generations of us are heading to Umbria in 10 days and I'd be grateful for some restaurant suggestions. We're staying outside of Todi, so that town is of particular interest, but we'll also be exploring around the region so any noteworthy restaurants within an hour's drive would be great. We'll be with our 1.5 year old for part of the time, and leaving him with the grandparents part of the time, so looking for both kid-friendly and more upscale options. Finally, we've heard most restaurants in Italy don't have highchairs - is this your experience, and if so, where do toddlers usually sit? Thanks all!

Circle, we ate at a great restaurant in Montefalco that I highly recommend. We were in Umbria for a week last year and stayed outside Bevagna. Montefalco is not too far from Todi and its a lovely town worth exploring. My mouth waters just thinking about it! Here is an exerpt from my trip report:

Dinner that night was at the Hotel Ristorante Righera Umbra in Montefalco, and our meal was just delicious. We parked at the parking lot just outside of the gates, and the restaurant isn’t too far of a walk from the inside of the gate. We ate in what looked like an old vaulted wine cellar. I knew the meal was going to be great when it started out with a free glass of prosecco! My husband had the “menu touristo” which included a pasta (ravioli pomodoro), a secondi (veal with a lemon sauce), a salad and an espresso at the end. I had a tortellini limone that was to die for. The tortellini isn’t like anything I get at home; they were very large, about the size of wontons, and filled with a sweet creamy cheese. But the best part was the lemon sauce. Very light and not too sweet or lemony. Incredible! Then it was on to my beef stracato, a tender, thin piece of beef in a wonderful pepper/olive oil sauce that was so flavorful. We shared a bottle of Montefalco Sagrantino that was very good, and the meal ended for me with a cappuccino and then free shots of lemoncello. Everything was just delicious.

There is also a more informal pizzeria next door that is owned by the same family. This may be more child-friendly. The pizza was delicious!

Tracy

I have never been to Umbria so I can't comment on the places to eat. I can HIGHLY recommend travelling with the "me too" portable high chair. I always travelled with mine when my kids were small. It weighs only 2 lb. and you can throw it in the basket of your stroller or in a bag. Collapses to a very small size. I did tons of research on this a number of years ago and this one is definitely a great product.

http://www.highchairs.com/Me-Too-Por...ED000000#specs

Almost every restaurant in Italy is kid friendly. You will see children of all ages dining with their parents at 9 or 10 pm. Because of this, most restaurants and trattorie DO have highchairs, but maybe only one or two. Sometimes very young children just sit in their stroller and space is made close to the table for it. You could bring or buy one of those seats that attach to the table. They fold flat and are easy to transport.
As for restaurants, I love Coccorone in Montefalco for either a family meal or for just the adults. Fabulous wine list and delicious food. In Pigge, near Trevi, is Dal Pescatore. They have a lovely patio next to a stream. Innovative food.

Circle,

If you have the chance to visit Spello, Il Mulino is outstanding. Probably not too kid friendly. In Assisi, Il Paradino de Terme was very good and fairly reasonable, family, local place.

Buon apetito!

CircleK,

Check out this link: http://www.brigolante.com/restaurants.html. We'll be in Umbria in October, and the charming proprietor of the place where we're staying posted these reviews on her excellent website. She covers a broad range of places. Have a great trip!

Oops, make that Paradiso de Terme in Assisi!

Thanks to everyone - these are great suggestions. Making me hungry and excited for our trip!