Category: Italy

One of our favorites in Rome. Dal Bolognese is the place for special occasions in Rome. It’s frequented by celebrities The food is all high quality and wine list surprisingly has many great choices in the 25-40 Euro range. The meal in general is less expensive than a meal...

When I asked Lori what she wanted for her birthday this year she said she’d like to go to Tuscany and visit our friends at the Villa di Piazzano. We’ve been to the Villa many times and always return because to leave the Villa is like leaving relatives behind...

Back home on the ranch in the Cortona area of Tuscany, we decided to try some new places.  We had a conversation with Alessandra the owner of Villa di Piazzano inquiring about any new and exciting restaurants in the area.  She recommended Walter Redaelli.  Coincidentally, we ran into her...

Owner/Chef Gabreile Bonci wrote the book on Pizza. They use only the finest ingredients for his creative toppings. This is a small local take-out pizza shop that you may eat in standing up. The pizza is great and the assortment is very special. Located in a neighborhood that is...

Prior to our visit to Tuscany we had discussed some new restaurants in the area with our local friends Bianca and Enzo. They had mentioned a place had opened but they have not tried it yet.  So prior to leaving Lori decided we are all going to Babette.  Locate...

We learned about S.Anna from some locals siting besides us at Da Francisco. Since then we have visited several times.  S.Anna is a nice local everyday Italian restaurant.  Pasta are house made and great.  The anti-pasta bar offer a good assortment and is very good. Once in a while...

[flickrset id=”72157627824848173″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”large”] We received a recommendation from a friend of a friend that has sent a lot of time in Perugia. We called our Italian friends and asked them to join us for dinner. I set the GPS in the rental car and off we went....

[flickrset id=”72157627990620052″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] A lovely B&B ten minutes from the center of Parma. Only two years old this property has all the modern conveniences and nice size bathrooms. The owner Elna is very helpful and accommodating. We would highly recommend it. Viillino di Porporano...

[flickrset id=”72157628082021042″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] In the heart of San Gimignano lies this wonderful Gelato shop, it’s the one with the line in front of it. WAIT do not go to the other shops without a line!! This is homemade Gelato that is truly “World Class”. It’s not the...

[flickrset id=”72157628005164394″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Probably the finest traditional Tuscan meal we’ve eaten. We walked into a packed restaurant without a confirmed reservation. There was one table for two or deuce for those in the business available. We were told that it was previously reserved however they have not...

[flickrset id=”72157627871267337″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Trattoria del Tribunale offers excellent fresh cooked local specialties at a very reasonable price. We started with the Torta Fritta and Parma Ham. When in Rome as they say!  The dough was light and airy and the Ham as expected wonderful. Primi:  The Tortelli...

[flickrset id=”72157626959471074″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Remotely located in the small village of Monticchello is this jewel of a restaurant,  Osteria La Porta. Traveling to this town requires a 30 minute drive off the beaten path.  If you follow your GPS you may end up on some unpaved roads.  Don’t...

[flickrset id=”72157626827880324″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] In the small town (one cafe, one bar, one shop,one hotel/restaurant and one horse) of S.Mamette Italy is located the charming family owned and operated INN and restaurant Hotel Stella d’Italia. This hotel has been in the Ortelli family for four generations. Located on...

[flickrset id=”72157626706464233″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] This year when making arrangements for our annual pilgrimage to Tuscany (Cortona Area), we were discussing places to stay with our Italian friends and they recommended a place a bit off the beaten path in Tuoro sul Trasimemo.  Il Capricci di Merion. Please don’t...

Just a couple of blocks from the Campo de Fiori in the heart of Rome lies this wonderful bakery. Forno Riscioli  features a world renowned pizza. It’s one of our favorite stops for a lunch while we are wondering about the picturesque alleyways around the Campo. The next time...

[flickrset id=”72157623114839182″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Trattoria al Vecchio Forno, Tuscany, San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy Owned by same owners of the Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico d’Orcia, This charming ristorante feaures truly authentic Tuscan food. Wonderfully simple dishes of tuscan beans teased and pleased our palettes.  Fresh tri-color pasta...

[flickrset id=”72157622906386322″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] In the Famous hilltop village of Cortona, La Bucaccia is conveniently located near the center of town. The owner and manager, Romano personally greets all of his guest with his unique style of humor. The menu is traditional Tuscan with some excellent specialities of...

[flickrset id=”72157603644016049″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] We were honored to have a private tour and tasting at Biondi-Santi the birthplace of Brunello di Montalcino. Private tours are the only type available at Biondi-Santi.  I recommend booking well in advance because they are very limited. Our tasting included a 2000 Brunello....

[flickrset id=”72157622769111285″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] It was truffle season and how could we resist this small Osteria right down the block from Palazzo del Capitano. I think Lori was fascinated by the whole truffle weighing and slicing procedure. The owner personally came out to slice and weigh this delicacy,...

The Ristorante di Poggio Antico is located on the vineyard Poggio Antico and is run independently by Roberto Minnetti is another true fine dining experience in Tuscany. We enjoyed Lori’s birthday lunch out on the patio so much we returned with Josh and Kelly the next year for dinner...