264407 Wed Aug 11 16:15:53 -0700 2004 12 26 International 0 1396254 I'm going to Italy this week (Florence, Rome, Reggello) and am looking for cheap (ummm, affordable) eating options. I am travelling on a budget so any cheap eating tips would be appreciated. Thanks, brokevespa Wed Aug 11 16:15:53 -0700 2004 0 brokevespa 1 1396258 Eating cheap AND good in Italy is VERY easy. Just avoid the tourist spots ! Even in Rome or Florence this is possible if you just leave the beaten tracks and go for the quieter side streets or suburbs. The Italians LOVE to eat well, and usually they spend only 50% of what a tourist is willing to pay !! Only one more hint: You should speak a little bit of Italian... Buy an Italian language crash course CD, take a few lessons. They love it when you at least TRY to speak their language. Then they will go out of their way to help you... Thu Aug 12 01:57:11 -0700 2004 1396254 0 Michael 2 1396301 My copy of "Eating and Drinking in Italy" (Open Road Publishing) proved indispensible. Very helpful for deciphering menus, even offered some help with nuts-and-bolts Italian (e.g. "Dove ... ?) Link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1892975599/qid=1092506689/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-6993784-5713627?v=glance&s=books Image: http://media.bestprices.com//content/isbn/86/1593600186.jpg Sat Aug 14 14:06:58 -0700 2004 1396258 0 Tom from Durham 1 1396266 Penello's in Florence. It used to be a very good bargain - great antipasto starter. I hope it's still the same (haven't been there in at least 6 years). Thu Aug 12 09:34:48 -0700 2004 1396254 0 zuriga 2 1396269 The Mercato Centrale in Florence has a few stalls selling very good, very inexpensive food and has the cheapest espresso in Florence (.85 euro, IIRC). See link below re Nerbone. There was a more detailed post about the offerings at the Mercato but I can't find it. ALso some notes on cheap eats in Florence at http://www.chowhound.com/boards/intl/messages/30538.html. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/263598#1392282 Thu Aug 12 11:37:11 -0700 2004 1396266 0 GretchenS 3 1396270 Thanks...I'm leaving in a few hours so I just printed out these tips... Thu Aug 12 11:46:31 -0700 2004 1396269 0 brokevespa 2 1396382 Was just at Penello's last month. The food was delicious - I had a wonderful dish with grilled duck breast on a bed of arugula. The antipasti were varied and excellent. The house wine is a chianti that comes in 1.5 litre straw-covered bottles (which we had no trouble finishing both ours and the remainder of a bottle given to us by a couple at the table next to us). I wouldn't say it was exactly cheap, but it was quite reasonable and the owner and waiter were a riot. Tue Aug 17 15:38:33 -0700 2004 1396266 0 Nyleve 2 1396391 FWIW If you are talking about Pennello in Florence, I just noted that Sandra Gustafson (who had recommended it in her Great Eats book) notes in her "NOT SO GREAT" file on her website that she no longer recommends it. Doesnt say way, though. Link: http://www.greateatsandsleeps.com/ Tue Aug 17 16:56:49 -0700 2004 1396266 0 jen kalb 3 1396414 Having said that we had a delicious meal at Penello, I might agree that it wasn't GREAT. It was very enjoyable, reasonably priced, but not outstanding. Had many more fabulous meals elsewhere - but I would still recommend it for a decent dinner. Wed Aug 18 12:58:53 -0700 2004 1396391 0 Nyleve 4 1396416 dont mean to question your recollection - you said you hadnt been there for 6 years - her book came out recommending it more recently than that and now (for whatever reason) she saw fit to publicly withdraw her recommendation. Just thought Id throw that additional data point into the mix. Wed Aug 18 13:32:45 -0700 2004 1396414 0 jen kalb 5 1396451 Wrong post. I was there last month. Thu Aug 19 21:17:07 -0700 2004 1396416 0 Nyleve 1 1396268 I love the cafe in the food market in Florence. cafe, drinks and very good sandwhiches. Thu Aug 12 11:25:28 -0700 2004 1396254 0 zach 1 1396271 I've praised this series before, but attached is a link to an article by an American chef who lived and worked in Firenze detailing the delights of the Mercato. Link: http://www.thefoodsection.com/foodsection/2004/06/mercato_central.html Thu Aug 12 11:57:26 -0700 2004 1396254 0 Elaine(Snutteplutten