on my trip to italy next month i've decided to head off the beaten track , at least for me, to the area just north of venice .treviso , asolo ,bassano del grappa ,maybe even asiago. this is just part of my trip but
an area much less traveled by american tourists. i could use some suggestion for dinning in these towns, also if anyone has important sights to see in the surrounding area please let me know.

We had a terrific meal in Bassano del Grappa.
Ristorante "Birraria Ottone" 1870
(0424-522206 via Matteotti 48-50)

We had a very nice wine: Vespaiolo 2003 Maculan Breganze.
Raddicio w/ polenta...creamy drizzled with terrific olive oil.
Penne w/ artichoke & asiago...perfect!
And a marvelous array of desserts....someone has to try the zabaglione & the chocolate torte w/ coffe creme anglaise.

I think you will be pleasantly surprise that the restaurant prices are substantially lower in the smaller towns.

I liked Da Tiziano al Sole in Bassano del Grappa. It seemed to be frequented mostly by local business people at lunch; at dinner, it was a more mixed clientele (couples, a group of young people, etc.). I think I was the only tourist in the place both times that I was there.

If they offer as a main course the plate of porcini mushrooms done in different ways -- grilled, breaded and fried, trifolato -- have it by all means! I think they were the best porcini mushrooms I have ever had, and I've had lots of them.

thanks bailey and eloise for your suggestions, they sound wonderful.
we're good for bassano. has anyone eaten in good restaurants in Treviso, Asolo or environs? Thanks again.

Hello grappa, your thread is one of those times that I feel so frustrated because I decided to get rid of files, travel information etc. So I did. Then I discovered Fodors. So I know about beautiful restaurants out in vineyards around Congeliano and other parts of Veneto. Friends that are residents of Veneto and I go there. But I no longer have the name of the restaurants, the addresses etc. I will in the future keep a journal.
Not much help to you though is it?

IMHO the food in Veneto is fabulous. If I can get some information for you I will post back here. Best wishes.

Ristorante da Gigetto in Maine
http://www.gigetto-miane.eu.tf/
stands out as one of my all time favourites. It's part of the Buon Ricordo (sp?) and, apart from sensational food, has one of the most impressive cellars I've seen anywhere.

You might also try the Belvedere in Bassano del Grappa.

On the north edge of Bassano del Grappa is the distillery of Vittorio Cappovilla. His grappa is ok, but his distilled fruit (from his own property) is terrific. I still, after about five years, have a sip or two left of a bottle of his distilled plums. Worth the trip.