262303 Sun Jan 26 20:06:36 -0800 2003 5 26 International 0 1385966 Looking for lunch/dinner recommendations for Roma and Firenza. Thanks. Sun Jan 26 20:06:36 -0800 2003 0 beanie 1 1385969 There are many posts including my own (See last days in October) for Rome and Florence. My personal highlights again - La Campana in Rome and La Posta in Florence. But lots more mentioned. Check Jen's posts - she was a big help to us. Sun Jan 26 22:42:16 -0800 2003 1385966 0 Chuck 1 1386138 Santopadre on Via Collina, near Via Veneto, has a nice local feel. No menu but our lack of Italian was no problem. Mon Feb 03 19:14:08 -0800 2003 1385966 0 Ciaran 1 1386203 Here's the Florence portion of a write up I did in December. Trattoria Quatri Leoni: Very tasty and a great value! Fresh tagliarini with shaved white truffles was around $9 and sooo delicious. Stewed wild boar with polenta for me and grilled beef breast with green sauce for my husband were delicious as well. With house wine the meal came to under $60. I Toscano: Simple food, pleasant service... Spaghetti alla Anatra (duck sauce) was rich and earthy. My veal chop was tender and simply grilled. My husband had the daily risotto, a very light seafood preparation, and broiled grouper, which was incomparably fresh... 1/2 bottle each of better white and red wines, antipasti of ham and salami, coffee and grappa, came to around $80. Nerbone: (food stand in the central market) We ate lunch here every day! Ribollito for two, boiled beef panini with green sauce, and 1/2 carafe of house wine were about $9 total... I can not tell you how good those sandwiches were! If you have ever had a Chicago-style Italian beef, you have a vague starting point... but the bread is crusty and tender and fresh, and the beef is succulent and perfectly seasoned, and the sauce is piquant and garlicky. I am still thinking about those sandwiches... Trattoria Garga: Good, but not a favorite. I had the much lauded Pasta Magnifica and roasted lamb. My husband had ribollito and a second course that I can't recall... with house wine and strawberries for dessert, the bill was around $130, which I felt was not the best value, especially compared to other places we ate. When we got back to Chicago the new Saveur was waiting, which featured Garga on its cover. I was frankly a little surprised that Saveur found this restaurant to be such a stand-out. Osteria De Benci: MMM, tasty! Another antipasto of ham and salamis. My husband had the better meal, with pasta with sea urchins and a huge Florentine steak. I had a less distinguished pasta with sausage, followed by an excellent HUGE roasted pheasant. A delicious raspberry tart, coffee, and nocino closed the meal for less than $70. I thought this place was a bargain. Da Ganino: This place is pretty frequently written up and I'd say the food was about what I expected it to be. Very well prepared, simple, and slightly more expensive than it should have been. The frito misto and tiramisu were particularly good. Trattoria Enzo e Piero: This place was my favorite. It was SOOOOOOO good. I had both specials. The risotto with chestnuts and roasted pigeon was unusual and delicious to the point that I seriously considered not letting my husband taste it. The osso bucco was out of this world. The veal was tender but very flavorful with good texture and body. I ate every edible scrap and dug out the marrow. My husband had yet more tagliarini with truffles ($6!) and a mixed grill that he reported as excellent... with dessert, coffee, nocino, and a $20 bottle of wine, the check came to $60. Unbelievable. I can't recommend this place highly enough. Hope this helps-- Liz Wed Feb 05 20:41:22 -0800 2003 1385966 0 liz 1 1386248 Oh my. By far one of my most memorable dining experiences took place in a fabulous restaurant in Rome. I have since recommended the place to various friends visiting the magical city and they have all returned with overwhelming plaudits. This one restaurant is called "Aurora 10" (pronounced Ow-raw-a Dee-H-ee). Imagine lobster risotto, homemade ravioli and the best grilled fish that comes to your table on a cart with a fresh olive oil sauce that is spread over the fish by the waiter using an orregano branch. Absolutely to die for. The restaurant, easily enough, is on Via Aurora, number 10, quite near the Spanish steps. Another must in Rome is the very famous "Nino" restaurant which is consistently delicious. And, of course the touristy but fabulous Caffe Giolitti where you can feast on the Bomba Cioccolatta, two scoops of chocolate gelato surrounded by a chocolate shell and rolled in cocoa. So, so good!! Have fun. Fri Feb 07 15:59:28 -0800 2003 1385966 0 Mikey 2 1386964 Mikey, Thanks for the recommendation of "Aurora 10". Went there on 5/31 for lunch and the food was awesome: Seafood Misto appetizer(Clams[2 types], Mussel cooked in a tasty broth), Seafood Risotto, Grilled Langoustines, Grilled John Dory, Strawberry Mousse/Sponge Cake topped with wild & reg strawberries. One of the best meals that I had in Italy. Service was ok. ChowAlf Tue Jun 03 17:01:55 -0700 2003 1386248 0 ChowAlf