What restaurant guide for Italy would you never leave home without?
Aug 21st, 2005 | 12:36 PM
#21
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
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Hi Altheain, I just happened to think of another restaurant. It is an old institution in Verona. It is I Dodici Apostoli. It is near the Piazza Bra in Verona. It is expensive, am not sure of your restaurant budget, but everytime I have eaten there the food has been fantastic and Italian friends love to go there if they happen to be in Verona. Beautiful restaurant! But again, do check it out because we all know places can change from time to time although I think this restaurant is such an old institution in Verona it probably hasn't.
Hmmm, maybe I can start remembering some more restaurant names. And I hate to "think" on Sundays, LOL.
Oh, just remembered a place in Florence where my Italians friends that live in Florence and I always make sure to have at least one lunch at while I am seeing them.
It is in the Piazza Republica. On the north side of the Piazza is the Savoy Hotel. Look at the Piazza, toward your right. I can't remember the name of the restaurant at the moment but you can't miss it. In front of the restaurant building are a lot of umbrella tables. Or is it that the tables are under a very large awning? Oh goodness, having a senior moment, LOL. It is a great place to relax at when you have done a lot of walking as the tables are shaded, the service is excellent and the food is wonderful. And of course you are never rushed to leave the table. Think you would enjoy it. For some reason I always have lunch there versus dinner but I would think their dinners are just as wonderful.
Hmmm, maybe I can start remembering some more restaurant names. And I hate to "think" on Sundays, LOL.
Oh, just remembered a place in Florence where my Italians friends that live in Florence and I always make sure to have at least one lunch at while I am seeing them.
It is in the Piazza Republica. On the north side of the Piazza is the Savoy Hotel. Look at the Piazza, toward your right. I can't remember the name of the restaurant at the moment but you can't miss it. In front of the restaurant building are a lot of umbrella tables. Or is it that the tables are under a very large awning? Oh goodness, having a senior moment, LOL. It is a great place to relax at when you have done a lot of walking as the tables are shaded, the service is excellent and the food is wonderful. And of course you are never rushed to leave the table. Think you would enjoy it. For some reason I always have lunch there versus dinner but I would think their dinners are just as wonderful.
Aug 21st, 2005 | 12:40 PM
#22
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 117
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<i>"What restaurant guide for Italy would you never leave home without?"</i>
My own, of course.
But since none of you can get your hands on that information (yet), there are a few people I would trust and neither of them posts here.
Faith Willinger is definitely at the top of my list but, to get current information that isn't in her (somewhat dated) book, you have to be in contact with her.
Same is true with Maureen Fant, who's been a must-read staple at the New York Times for years. Her book is newer than Faith's but these books can never offer the latest "tea" or the newest entrees because the world of publishing is much slower than the world of food and fine dining.
The great thing about both ladies is that you can pay to spend a little time with them. Faith offers private cooking courses in Florence and Maureen offers guided restaurant tastings through ContextRome/ScalaReale in Rome. These are two terrific ways to get the latest, most current information on food in Italy.
You may not be able to meet or dine with her but every Venice officiado knows, you're not a member of the Venice cognoscenti unless you own Michela Scibilia's <i>"Venezia Osterie & Dintorni - A Guide to the Eateries of Venice."</i> It's not available anywhere on the internet and there are a limited number of copies to be had in Venice, especially in English. Michela is a well-known native Venetian and, even though her forte isn't reviewing food, she knows the real deal when she sees it. I've often found that certain natives know where to go to find great, authentic cooking. Michela is one of those.
Opinions about food on this board are like everything else, everyone has one and one must tread carefully to find one with any thoughtful meaning to support it. However, once you spend some time here reading and get to know the taste and personality of the contributor, it gets easier to edit opinions that you would never consider in any other circumstance.
My own, of course.
But since none of you can get your hands on that information (yet), there are a few people I would trust and neither of them posts here.
Faith Willinger is definitely at the top of my list but, to get current information that isn't in her (somewhat dated) book, you have to be in contact with her.
Same is true with Maureen Fant, who's been a must-read staple at the New York Times for years. Her book is newer than Faith's but these books can never offer the latest "tea" or the newest entrees because the world of publishing is much slower than the world of food and fine dining.
The great thing about both ladies is that you can pay to spend a little time with them. Faith offers private cooking courses in Florence and Maureen offers guided restaurant tastings through ContextRome/ScalaReale in Rome. These are two terrific ways to get the latest, most current information on food in Italy.
You may not be able to meet or dine with her but every Venice officiado knows, you're not a member of the Venice cognoscenti unless you own Michela Scibilia's <i>"Venezia Osterie & Dintorni - A Guide to the Eateries of Venice."</i> It's not available anywhere on the internet and there are a limited number of copies to be had in Venice, especially in English. Michela is a well-known native Venetian and, even though her forte isn't reviewing food, she knows the real deal when she sees it. I've often found that certain natives know where to go to find great, authentic cooking. Michela is one of those.
Opinions about food on this board are like everything else, everyone has one and one must tread carefully to find one with any thoughtful meaning to support it. However, once you spend some time here reading and get to know the taste and personality of the contributor, it gets easier to edit opinions that you would never consider in any other circumstance.
Aug 21st, 2005 | 01:19 PM
#23
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 24
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OP -- After having been in Portugal, I understand your restaurant concerns as we had some pretty lame meals there despite my best efforts (including a gastronomic destination restaurant in Lisbon we went to for our anniversary dinner.) There's a real monotony to the cuisine and an indifference to its preparation in many places. My experience in Italy is that it is very difficult to find a bad meal, even when eating for value. [Except for some places in Venice that cater primarily to tourists.] For the most part, I side with the person who told you to check out menues as you are strolling around and follow your salivary glands. Since I used to cook in NYC in an Italian restaurant, I'm pretty proficient in understanding a menu in Italian, but you can venture inside and ask for an English version in most cases (as I recall.) Good luck and enjoy an experience that far surpasses your Portugese culinary experience.
Aug 21st, 2005 | 01:23 PM
#24
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,717
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Even if you can't meet her, you <b>can</b> buy Michela Scibilia's book on line:
http://www.teodolinda.it/ing-osterie.htm
And, by the way, NYCTravelSnob, I think you meant "aficionado" and not "officiado."
http://www.teodolinda.it/ing-osterie.htm
And, by the way, NYCTravelSnob, I think you meant "aficionado" and not "officiado."
Aug 21st, 2005 | 02:59 PM
#26
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
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Althea,
Another good web source for Florence is the Divina Cucina website. She lists excellent eateries in every price range and neighborhood.
www.divinacucina.com
Another good web source for Florence is the Divina Cucina website. She lists excellent eateries in every price range and neighborhood.
www.divinacucina.com
Aug 21st, 2005 | 03:11 PM
#27
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 117
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Nice work, Eloise. Last time I checked, that website wasn't available. Good for Michela!
Of course I meant "aficionado" but sometimes I like making up my own words. It's the hip-hop girl in me.
As for tuscanlifeedit, what a party-pooper! I love when someone on the "inside" shares a terrific find. Who on earth wants to be on the outside of great information, especially if it improves the quality of a travel experience?
Of course I meant "aficionado" but sometimes I like making up my own words. It's the hip-hop girl in me.
As for tuscanlifeedit, what a party-pooper! I love when someone on the "inside" shares a terrific find. Who on earth wants to be on the outside of great information, especially if it improves the quality of a travel experience?
Aug 21st, 2005 | 09:06 PM
#28
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,266
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When trying to find restaurant ideas, I look everywhere I can. When planning a trip last year that included Venice, Ferrara, Bologna (and Tuscany and Rome), I used many of the resources already mentioned (except those in Italian), as well as guidebooks (especially the less-common, more area-specific ones), the chowhound and egullet websites, and any web-based information I could find.
What I noticed, rather obviously, is that there's less info (especially in English) for the relatively-smaller Italian cities. I also noticed, however, that quite a few Italian restaurants seem to have websites. I like looking at restaurant websites to see what the restaurant looks like, and also if they post a menu, the kinds of items the restaurant is likely to have. The restaurant website doesn't help with info re quality, but does help with factual matters. I can see, for example, if the menu includes items that are likely to appeal to me.
As for posts by others, of course I used those too. Most helpful are those that give details, both about the restaurant (both the food and the dining experience as a whole) and about the poster. It makes it easier to tell if their experience is the type you're looking for. Least helpful, of course, are those that say "went to Guilio's Ristorante - it was great" (WHY was it great?)
That being said, specifically, last year in Venice (yes, only one night in Venice this time) we ate at Osteria Anice Stellato. It's out of the way, in the Canneregio, on a quiet side canal. As our hotel was also in the Canneregio, it was a nice walk for us. The restaurant had a low-key, typical Italian restaurant decor (nice but not fancy); mostly Italians (couldn't tell if they were Venetians), though same tables of English-speaking guests. We shared a starter of spaghetti alla chitarra with l'astice (spiney lobster); then followed with John Dory and sea bream (oratine); I had dessert and hubby didn't. The starter, in particular, was delightful, though the rest of the dinner was very good too (though my oratine had more bones than I would have liked). The "pane integrale" was very good too. The bill was 100E, and included a 35E bottle of wine. Probably that doesn't fit in your "value" category, but we enjoyed a place that was a bit out of the way. (Later, I saw it mentioned in, I think, Food & Wine magazine.)
What I noticed, rather obviously, is that there's less info (especially in English) for the relatively-smaller Italian cities. I also noticed, however, that quite a few Italian restaurants seem to have websites. I like looking at restaurant websites to see what the restaurant looks like, and also if they post a menu, the kinds of items the restaurant is likely to have. The restaurant website doesn't help with info re quality, but does help with factual matters. I can see, for example, if the menu includes items that are likely to appeal to me.
As for posts by others, of course I used those too. Most helpful are those that give details, both about the restaurant (both the food and the dining experience as a whole) and about the poster. It makes it easier to tell if their experience is the type you're looking for. Least helpful, of course, are those that say "went to Guilio's Ristorante - it was great" (WHY was it great?)
That being said, specifically, last year in Venice (yes, only one night in Venice this time) we ate at Osteria Anice Stellato. It's out of the way, in the Canneregio, on a quiet side canal. As our hotel was also in the Canneregio, it was a nice walk for us. The restaurant had a low-key, typical Italian restaurant decor (nice but not fancy); mostly Italians (couldn't tell if they were Venetians), though same tables of English-speaking guests. We shared a starter of spaghetti alla chitarra with l'astice (spiney lobster); then followed with John Dory and sea bream (oratine); I had dessert and hubby didn't. The starter, in particular, was delightful, though the rest of the dinner was very good too (though my oratine had more bones than I would have liked). The "pane integrale" was very good too. The bill was 100E, and included a 35E bottle of wine. Probably that doesn't fit in your "value" category, but we enjoyed a place that was a bit out of the way. (Later, I saw it mentioned in, I think, Food & Wine magazine.)
Aug 22nd, 2005 | 02:30 PM
#29
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 20
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Well tuscanlife, sounds like I'm on the right track: I'm taking www.divinacucina.com's cooking course while in Florence. Must read her site more closely for listings, and of course ask Judy when I meet her!
Also to all of you, thanks for the ("inside" and "outside"
information! As for budget, I am prepared to pay $100 pp+ now and then. That IS Canadian dollars, BTW 
I just want to make sure that whatever I pay, I get what I pay for... Finding small, reasonable, wonderful, out of the way places, though, are the real treasures to me. Even in my hometown of Toronto, I'm constantly on the lookout. ;-)
Thanks again... I've got an awesome start.
Also to all of you, thanks for the ("inside" and "outside"
information! As for budget, I am prepared to pay $100 pp+ now and then. That IS Canadian dollars, BTW I just want to make sure that whatever I pay, I get what I pay for... Finding small, reasonable, wonderful, out of the way places, though, are the real treasures to me. Even in my hometown of Toronto, I'm constantly on the lookout. ;-)Thanks again... I've got an awesome start.
Aug 22nd, 2005 | 05:41 PM
#30
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Chow! Venice is a fantastic guide to restaraunts in Venice. Variety of places and prices; detailed directions of how to get there, and written by 2 regular posters on the slowtrav board.
Were right on with every place we tried!
Anne
Were right on with every place we tried!
Anne
Aug 23rd, 2005 | 03:42 PM
#31
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
I just had to put in another vote for The Michelin Red Guide. When my husband and I went to Italy, we had some guide books, I also took the recommendations from this board and from other magazines, sources, etc. I would "cross reference" the place with each of my resources to see if the restaurant was recommended in more than one of them.
But honestly, EVERY place we tried that was in the The Michelin Red Guide was EXCELLENT. My husband and I are hoping to get back to Italy next year and we've both said to each other, the one item we MUST take with us is the The Michelin Red Guide.
But honestly, EVERY place we tried that was in the The Michelin Red Guide was EXCELLENT. My husband and I are hoping to get back to Italy next year and we've both said to each other, the one item we MUST take with us is the The Michelin Red Guide.
Sep 12th, 2005 | 06:57 AM
#33
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Earlier, NYCTravelSnob had written:
"You may not be able to meet or dine with her but every Venice officiado knows, you're not a member of the Venice cognoscenti unless you own Michela Scibilia's "Venezia Osterie & Dintorni - A Guide to the Eateries of Venice." It's not available anywhere on the internet and there are a limited number of copies to be had in Venice, especially in English. Michela is a well-known native Venetian and, even though her forte isn't reviewing food, she knows the real deal when she sees it. I've often found that certain natives know where to go to find great, authentic cooking. Michela is one of those."
Well, I'd like to announce my induction into the inner foodies circle in Venice.
I bought her book at the Accademia bookstore. Quite a few copies available, in fact. Price is 12.90 euros. There's also a French version I remember seeing.
It seems so easily available that even I was surprised. As Eloise said, it's apparently available online (but I've not checked).
I've not looked at it at great length, but there's overlap with some other guidebooks. For example, she recommends Da Fiore, Al Covo, etc. (just like everyone else).
I first became aware of her through the documentary "The Venetian Dilemma," which I saw at the Film Forum. See this link to the documentary:
http://www.parnassusworks.org/characters.htm
I'll quote from my blog:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T624528CB
"7:30: Dinner at restaurant near hotel, mentioned surprisingly in Scibilia's guide to Venice eateries. Couldn't figure out her story is. She complains about the lack of infrastructure for locals in the documentary ("Venetian Dilemma" and wrote a guidebook for places good for locals, but then the guidebook gets translated into English and a tourist like me buys it?! I saw the book in Accademia's bookstore, but found the restaurant first in Time Out."
I had dinner Rivetta (Castello 4625), listed on p. 52 of her guidebook.
"Much frequented by gondoliers," she tells us. But so does Time Out Venice.
The menu has four languages, but the food was actually quite good. It was a three-minute walk from my hotel.
I'm <b>eagerly</b> awaiting NYCTravelSnob's guidebook to Venice, which I'm sure will be full of insider information that 14 million tourists to Venice have somehow not managed to uncover. You've my e-mail, NYC, so you can get Marilyn to send me one when the guidebook is ready.
I don't want to miss out on my next trip to Venice.
"You may not be able to meet or dine with her but every Venice officiado knows, you're not a member of the Venice cognoscenti unless you own Michela Scibilia's "Venezia Osterie & Dintorni - A Guide to the Eateries of Venice." It's not available anywhere on the internet and there are a limited number of copies to be had in Venice, especially in English. Michela is a well-known native Venetian and, even though her forte isn't reviewing food, she knows the real deal when she sees it. I've often found that certain natives know where to go to find great, authentic cooking. Michela is one of those."
Well, I'd like to announce my induction into the inner foodies circle in Venice.
I bought her book at the Accademia bookstore. Quite a few copies available, in fact. Price is 12.90 euros. There's also a French version I remember seeing.
It seems so easily available that even I was surprised. As Eloise said, it's apparently available online (but I've not checked).
I've not looked at it at great length, but there's overlap with some other guidebooks. For example, she recommends Da Fiore, Al Covo, etc. (just like everyone else).
I first became aware of her through the documentary "The Venetian Dilemma," which I saw at the Film Forum. See this link to the documentary:
http://www.parnassusworks.org/characters.htm
I'll quote from my blog:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?T624528CB
"7:30: Dinner at restaurant near hotel, mentioned surprisingly in Scibilia's guide to Venice eateries. Couldn't figure out her story is. She complains about the lack of infrastructure for locals in the documentary ("Venetian Dilemma"
and wrote a guidebook for places good for locals, but then the guidebook gets translated into English and a tourist like me buys it?! I saw the book in Accademia's bookstore, but found the restaurant first in Time Out."I had dinner Rivetta (Castello 4625), listed on p. 52 of her guidebook.
"Much frequented by gondoliers," she tells us. But so does Time Out Venice.
The menu has four languages, but the food was actually quite good. It was a three-minute walk from my hotel.
I'm <b>eagerly</b> awaiting NYCTravelSnob's guidebook to Venice, which I'm sure will be full of insider information that 14 million tourists to Venice have somehow not managed to uncover. You've my e-mail, NYC, so you can get Marilyn to send me one when the guidebook is ready.
I don't want to miss out on my next trip to Venice.
Sep 12th, 2005 | 11:27 AM
#34
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
--Well, I'd like to announce my induction into the inner foodies circle in Venice.--
It does take more than owning a book or a half-day visit to truly know and appreciate Venetian cucina. Congratulations on the self-induction, anyway.
--It seems so easily available that even I was surprised. As Eloise said, it's apparently available online.--
Easily available? Well, that depends. It used to mean you had to go to Venice and then venture into a Venice bookshop and either look for it or ask for it. Millions of tourists never venture into Venice bookshops and millions more don't purchase online. At least you had the will and motivation.
Michela's book, as mentioned in "Venetian Dilemma," is her second edition. The first edition was much harder to come by and, to my knowledge, was never available via the internet.
It makes perfect business sense that Michela, being a graphic designer and all, embraced the "Venetian Dilemma" opportunity and produced her own website. Her website hasn't been around that long. Even so, it helps to know that "teodolinda" is the name of Michela's grandmother, otherwise, you may never realize that the link Eloise provided has anything to do with Michela, or her book, if you simply relied on Google.
--I've not looked at it at great length, but there's overlap with some other guidebooks. For example, she recommends Da Fiore, Al Covo, etc. (just like everyone else).--
Her books were designed to celebrate "Venetian-owned" osterie and to inform the visiting public of "authentic" establishments. She does not critique food and does not "recommend" specific places. (Read the "Intro." Naturally, many restaurants in her book will be listed and reviewed elsewhere.
Venetians, like most Italians, do not think of their restaurants as a "scene" like many New Yorkers do. Most Italians consider themselves better cooks than restaurant owners. It's very difficult to create a "new" restaurant or a restaurant "scene" in Italy because Italians love tradition which explains why they return to the same places over and over again, especially in the older, larger city centers.
I have to laugh every time I hear "where do the locals eat?" I'm always dying to respond "At home!"
It does take more than owning a book or a half-day visit to truly know and appreciate Venetian cucina. Congratulations on the self-induction, anyway.
--It seems so easily available that even I was surprised. As Eloise said, it's apparently available online.--
Easily available? Well, that depends. It used to mean you had to go to Venice and then venture into a Venice bookshop and either look for it or ask for it. Millions of tourists never venture into Venice bookshops and millions more don't purchase online. At least you had the will and motivation.
Michela's book, as mentioned in "Venetian Dilemma," is her second edition. The first edition was much harder to come by and, to my knowledge, was never available via the internet.
It makes perfect business sense that Michela, being a graphic designer and all, embraced the "Venetian Dilemma" opportunity and produced her own website. Her website hasn't been around that long. Even so, it helps to know that "teodolinda" is the name of Michela's grandmother, otherwise, you may never realize that the link Eloise provided has anything to do with Michela, or her book, if you simply relied on Google.
--I've not looked at it at great length, but there's overlap with some other guidebooks. For example, she recommends Da Fiore, Al Covo, etc. (just like everyone else).--
Her books were designed to celebrate "Venetian-owned" osterie and to inform the visiting public of "authentic" establishments. She does not critique food and does not "recommend" specific places. (Read the "Intro."
Naturally, many restaurants in her book will be listed and reviewed elsewhere.Venetians, like most Italians, do not think of their restaurants as a "scene" like many New Yorkers do. Most Italians consider themselves better cooks than restaurant owners. It's very difficult to create a "new" restaurant or a restaurant "scene" in Italy because Italians love tradition which explains why they return to the same places over and over again, especially in the older, larger city centers.
I have to laugh every time I hear "where do the locals eat?" I'm always dying to respond "At home!"
Sep 12th, 2005 | 11:54 AM
#35
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,717
Likes: 0
How interesting! Michela Scibilia's grandmother was named after a 6th-century Longobard queeen...
I assure you that I was unaware of that interesting detail -- since I claim no personal relationship to Michela Scibilia -- and that I found the information about her book through Google.
I assure you that I was unaware of that interesting detail -- since I claim no personal relationship to Michela Scibilia -- and that I found the information about her book through Google.
Sep 12th, 2005 | 12:11 PM
#36
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Isn't it interesting that aev90210 has only contributed to four threads (click on the name) and chosen to answer to me?
Is this a snob from Beverly Hills? A cousin of NYC in California?
"It does take more than owning a book or a half-day visit to truly know and appreciate Venetian cucina. Congratulations on the self-induction, anyway."
I understand that, but I think that you're missing the irony and jest in my post.
After all, it was someone else who first brought up the Scibilia guidebook, no? There's an implication in that post that this is some secret black book, and I'm just saying that it's probably not such a great guidebook.
And I find it funny that I bought it right at the Accademia bookstore.
I'm sure that lots of tourists go there -- I didn't go through great effort to get this book, and this adds to the irony of this all.
I find this very funny and entertaining.
One would think that a self-proclaimed "NYCFoodSnob" or "NYCTravelSnob" has something better to offer.
In the end, it was no better than someone who went to Venice for 24 hours.
Is this a snob from Beverly Hills? A cousin of NYC in California?
"It does take more than owning a book or a half-day visit to truly know and appreciate Venetian cucina. Congratulations on the self-induction, anyway."
I understand that, but I think that you're missing the irony and jest in my post.
After all, it was someone else who first brought up the Scibilia guidebook, no? There's an implication in that post that this is some secret black book, and I'm just saying that it's probably not such a great guidebook.
And I find it funny that I bought it right at the Accademia bookstore.
I'm sure that lots of tourists go there -- I didn't go through great effort to get this book, and this adds to the irony of this all.
I find this very funny and entertaining.
One would think that a self-proclaimed "NYCFoodSnob" or "NYCTravelSnob" has something better to offer.
In the end, it was no better than someone who went to Venice for 24 hours.
Sep 12th, 2005 | 12:15 PM
#37
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Let me repeat. I'm very much looking forward to learning about Venice from one of the great experts on this forum. As I wrote:
I'm <b>eagerly</b> awaiting NYCTravelSnob's guidebook to Venice, which I'm sure will be full of insider information that 14 million tourists each year] to Venice have somehow not managed to uncover.
I don't want to miss out on my next trip to Venice.
I'm <b>eagerly</b> awaiting NYCTravelSnob's guidebook to Venice, which I'm sure will be full of insider information that 14 million tourists each year] to Venice have somehow not managed to uncover.
I don't want to miss out on my next trip to Venice.
Sep 12th, 2005 | 12:27 PM
#39
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
By the way, to give you a sense for what's in the book:
"... and where do the local gourmets eat?" (p. 13)
Agli Alboreti, Al Covo, Fiaschetteria Toscana, Da Fiore, Santa Marina and Alle Testiere.
Ok, I've not been to Venice in six years and was only just there for 24 hours. Even with my casual knowledge of Venice restaurants, I see three familiar names on this list.
Where can meet for an aperitif? (p. 12)
"exclusive" Harry's Bar (for a Bellini), Monaco -- Gran Canal (sip a Martini to live piano music)
Well, I'm so glad that Scibilia is able to tell me that I should go to Harry's for exclusive bellinis. Very useful information.
But to be honest, I'm not "criticizing" her book. I'm interested in know what makes this book special (I'm sure someone can give me page references -- it's only 80 pages and doesn't take so long to read, especially if you're familiar with Venice, and, as I said, I am not).
I'm also looking forward to all the secret recommendations that one particular expert seems to know about but doesn't provide.
Tis a shame.
"... and where do the local gourmets eat?" (p. 13)
Agli Alboreti, Al Covo, Fiaschetteria Toscana, Da Fiore, Santa Marina and Alle Testiere.
Ok, I've not been to Venice in six years and was only just there for 24 hours. Even with my casual knowledge of Venice restaurants, I see three familiar names on this list.
Where can meet for an aperitif? (p. 12)
"exclusive" Harry's Bar (for a Bellini), Monaco -- Gran Canal (sip a Martini to live piano music)
Well, I'm so glad that Scibilia is able to tell me that I should go to Harry's for exclusive bellinis. Very useful information.
But to be honest, I'm not "criticizing" her book. I'm interested in know what makes this book special (I'm sure someone can give me page references -- it's only 80 pages and doesn't take so long to read, especially if you're familiar with Venice, and, as I said, I am not).
I'm also looking forward to all the secret recommendations that one particular expert seems to know about but doesn't provide.
Tis a shame.
