Andrew S - restaurant recos

[woodstock]

Hi Andrew (and anyone else, but I know Andrew is a major foodie)

What restaurants knocked your socks off in Italy? I've got reservations for Poggio Antico in Montalcino for lunch one day (they're very popular, you gotta reserve well in advance, think French Laundry in California...) and a list of a few places to check out elsewhere... Venice in particular is tough, there's so much tourist garbage there. any specific ones you'd recommend? I'll also be in Florence and Rome...

thanks...

 

[wsuffa]

Let me do a little research from my trips.

There is a really nice place in the hills over Florence that has a wonderful view. Worth it. Don't recall the name.

I recall two very good places in Venice, one was seafood, the other was "local" (e.g. not fancy inside, but the food was very nice). Ate at the local place with a couple of friends from Cincinnati that happened to be in Venice at the same time. I don't recall who paid - if I paid, I'll have the reciept around here somewhere. It was a few blocks from St. Marks.

 

[AdamZ]

I have a friend that loves Olive Garden

 

[woodstock]

I have a friend that loves Olive Garden

something tells me if I ask for an Olive Garden while there, they will take my passport and shred it. then again, I'd be stuck in Italy, so how bad can that be.

 

[astanley]

Hi Andrew (and anyone else, but I know Andrew is a major foodie)

What restaurants knocked your socks off in Italy? I've got reservations for Poggio Antico in Montalcino for lunch one day (they're very popular, you gotta reserve well in advance, think French Laundry in California...) and a list of a few places to check out elsewhere... Venice in particular is tough, there's so much tourist garbage there. any specific ones you'd recommend? I'll also be in Florence and Rome...

thanks...

Venice is tough. Lots of craptastic places, but the gems... oh dear god are they gems.

The name escapes me now, which is sad (thankfully I have called family who have been there - we went there on their reccomendation) - it's right on the Grand Lagoon, on the boardwalk. Down near the Dosoduro, one of the most amazing fish meals I've had (and I do not like fish). It's down by San Paolo, has a beautiful glass mural wall and ceiling. But I can't remember the name of it for the LIFE of me!

Florence we ate at two places - one unremarkable bakery near St. Maria Novella, and a good bistecca down off near Santa Maria. We ate at Giannino in S. Lorenzo - good Chiassano (sp) beef, moderate wine list.

Sadly, my reccomendations in Italy are in Siena and Bologna. The top meal of my life (single meal, not greatest restaurant) is in Bologna - Grasilli, just off of the Piazza, just flawless food and service.

If you get a chance, visit the Castallare vineyard - the most amazing olive oil and their blended red is a wonderful dry wine.

I have all my notes at home... when I get home, I'll post more!

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[woodstock]

Siena I will visit. Bologna, next trip. and I will surely return the favor here when I return.

looking forward to your notes....

 

[astanley]

Siena I will visit. Bologna, next trip. and I will surely return the favor here when I return.

looking forward to your notes....

Oh good! Siena is the jewel of Toscana. I have lots of recco's for you - Jessie lived there for well over 5 months!

Cheers,

-Andrew

 

[Brian Austin]

Follow the locals. Never fails for me...as long as I don't get arrested for stalking again. (hey, she LOOKED 18, ok?)

 

[mikea]

something tells me if I ask for an Olive Garden while there, they will take my passport and shred it. then again, I'd be stuck in Italy, so how bad can that be.

Don't be surprised. When I worked in Nashville, I asked the local guy where he went for biscuits and gravy.

He sent me to Cracker Barrel.