19670 Thu May 02 11:49:26 -0700 2002 8 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 66223 My wife and I are going to Siena, Florence, and Cinque Terre. Any international chowhound advice on places to eat which can be accessed without a car? Just a shot in the dark, but other ideas have been great in the S.F. bay area. Thu May 02 11:49:26 -0700 2002 0 Greg 1 66226 Have you checked out the International board yet? People post requests for information about Italy all the time there, so I'm sure you could find some good suggestions. Thu May 02 12:01:41 -0700 2002 66223 0 Millicent 2 66229 How do i get there? Thu May 02 12:19:45 -0700 2002 66226 0 Greg 3 66231 (I tried responding earlier, but something wierd happened. Now there will probably be two responses.) Don't know how you're getting here, but go to the CA home page, then to the Chowhound home page, then scroll down to see the list of various message boards. International is one of many. Thu May 02 12:29:10 -0700 2002 66229 0 Millicent 2 66234 In Florence: il Cibreo (fancy, great) and a little trattoria near the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) named "da Mario" -- it is worth the search. Both are very close to the center of town. Thu May 02 12:40:54 -0700 2002 66226 0 everclear 3 66300 Tiny whole in the wall by the marke with excellent food. Tratoria Za Za is excellent too. Other recs for Florence are I Latini. For a splurge take a taxi to outside of florence and go to La Tenda Rossa. It's the top restaurant in the area and has better food than the over priced Enoteca Pinchiorri. Oh and eat at the market stalls...amazing tripe. Thu May 02 21:32:33 -0700 2002 66234 0 vlibin 1 66301 This is a splurge kind of place but well worth it since a similar meal in San Francisco would cost twice as much. Go to La Bottega Nuova in the outskirts of the city--absolutely amazing fine dining and incredible wine list. General tips about eating in Italy: Cappuccino is a breakfast drink only, you will the Americano service if you order it after lunch or dinner. Also, never ask for cheese when you order a pasta or risotto with seafood, it's considered gross since the flavor of the cheese clashes with the seafood, and the waiter will often forget to bring it. Food in Italy is amazing, but it will take your palate a day or two to adjust. The flavors are very subtle and food is simple and we are used to strong flavors and ingredients in our food over here. In Tuscany, la cucina povera (rustic) is great in little trattorias. The cured meats will amaze you so make sure you order them as appetizers. You will be there in middle of fava and artichoke season so enjoy. Thu May 02 21:38:49 -0700 2002 66223 0 vlibin 1 66303 Here's a link to the International board, where you'll find many San Franciso Bay Area 'hounds talking with chowhounds from all over the world about destinations abroad. Please post your responses on that message board and save this one for discussion of our local food scene. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/intl/intl.html Thu May 02 22:00:31 -0700 2002 66223 0 Melanie Wong 1 66385 Billy's in the town just North of Riomaggiore. You can stay in Riomaggiore (the southernmost of the 5 towns) and take the 15-20 walk along the coast trail (paved w/ handrails) to the next town or you can take the 5 minute train ride. Billy's is in the upper part of the village. Just ask, as its a tiny restaurant and a tiny village. Have whatever Billy (not his real name-he got it in the merchant marine) tells you is fresh, but don't miss the white anchovies. Fri May 03 20:01:03 -0700 2002 66223 0 Hunger Strike