In the Ku’damm region the Mondo Pazzo was recommended by the hotel concierge as the best Italian in town, inexpensive and with great food, if a little noisy. We found the atmosphere to be quite pleasant and comforting, not noisy at all, and the food indeed excellent. Start with the Carpaccio, the meat was thinly sliced to perfection and served with delicious parmesan. For the… Read more »
Archives: Eat & Drink
If you are looking for a typical German beer hall, this is the place to go in Berlin. It is located on beautiful Gendarmenmarkt Square, which is worth visiting in its own right, with its historical French and German churches and the Konzerthaus. One of the best-known and traditional breweries in München’s Oktober Fest, Augustiner is originally from the Bavarian region and has been operating… Read more »
This was one of those surprising experiences, which has us believing in fate! We were wandering around lost when trying to find another restaurant, and at some point decided to try out the first one we came across. Oh, were we lucky: 13 Gobbi was divine! The charmingly Tuscan rustic wooden décor houses a lively atmosphere, typically Italian, and you can select a table in… Read more »
We explored (yes this is the right verb word for this restaurant) this hidden gem, located right at city center. The setting is quite dramatic: the whole restaurant is housed in a small pallazzo from the 13th century and features the oldest known portrait of Dante Alighieri. As if all this was not enough, on the lower ground floor you can see the remains of… Read more »
A rooftop cocktail bar in a medieval tower in the trendy Continentale Hotel (see our Where to Stay section). It has stunning views of some of Florence’s landmarks, such as the Arno and Palazzo Vecchio, and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cocktail on a summer’s evening after walking around Florence. Please note drinks are the specialty and there are not many snacks.… Read more »
One of the most famous dishes in Florence is the bistecca fiorentina, a t-bone steak, and we highly recommend trying the one at Sostanza, a small and informal trattoria run by the third generation of the family. The menu is quite succinct and aside from the typical bistecca serves a never-to-be-forgotten artichoke omelet, a unique combination of tastes which we eagerly yet unsuccessfully tried to… Read more »
Remember that legend has it the gelato was invented in Florence, so this will be like a historical tour for your taste buds! Near the Pallazzo Vecchio, some blocks from Bargello, Vivoli is considered an institution in Florence, so you really must try for yourself. We loved the many gelati we tasted and the highlights were chocolate with orange, Sicilian lemon (super citrus), pistachio and… Read more »
Dinner at this restaurant was simply remarkable. The food was authentic and delicious, and we tasted the wine produced by the traditional family who owns the restaurant and is part of Florence’s history. The highlights were an unforgettable starter made of porcini flan with parmeggiano fondutta followed by pasta with tartufo nero, which was so delicious we returned to Dei Frescobaldi one day before leaving… Read more »
Considered one of the best seafood restaurants in town the Langosteria is a high end venue in Tortona and has become quite famous for the excellence in its dishes and fine dining. The ambience is upscale with dim lighting and a sophisticated décor in dark wood, burgundy chairs and cushions. Lobsters, oysters, high quality cod and other seafood, everything tempting and delicious. They interestingly also… Read more »
In the Quadrilatero d’Oro, the upscale fashion district, the Salumaio is breathtaking at first sight, with a stunning patio with mosaic floors right at entrance and a sophisticated and luxurious décor throughout. The restaurant is frequented by a fashionable clientele, as well as business people and see-and-be-seen habitués. The food, though good, is honestly not as amazing as the exquisite ambience may lead you to… Read more »
For those days when you are walking around and just feel like having a good meal without having to dress up, this is the perfect place. On 7th floor of the La Rinascente shops at Vittorio Emanuele II gallery you will find this trendy food hall and delightful delicacy shop, just perfect. As an extra bonus, you have wonderful views of the Duomo, and we… Read more »
Located in the Montenapoleone area, the Solferino is everything you would expect from an old school Italian restaurant: a warm welcome by distinctive looking senior hosts, the cozy ambience reminiscent of grandma’s dining room, waiters who have probably been working there for decades, and, of course, the outstanding food. We started with crude tuna envoltini in cheese and avocado cream, which was good. The highlight… Read more »
For delicious ice cream head to one of the Amorinos in town, we have been to two of them, in Navigli and Brera. They have mostly the usual flavors, all very tasty, and creativity is left to the way it is beautifully served, as a flower in cones. They also have macarons filled with ice cream, which were quite lovely. Passion fruit, pistachio, lemon and… Read more »
This is no longer a truly local Milanese restaurant, or even local Italian, since expanding abroad. Yet, for a good Italian meal served in an unpretentious ambience, contemporary design and friendly atmosphere, Obicà is always a good choice. The menu´s main ingredient is mozzarella and its many variations and origins. You also have a selection of pastas, pizzas and amazing cheese and prosciutto boards, all… Read more »
This super traditional pastry shop in Milan is beloved by locals. If you walk by, you will certainly stop and look at its windows with the beautiful and delicious looking cakes and pies. Step inside and try some of its sandwiches, sip a cup of perfectly brewed fresh Italian coffee, taste the homemade bread and, of course, order sweets, cakes or cookies to finish your… Read more »
In our last long stay in Rome we decided to try Da Felice. Expectations were high so we made reservations for the last night, so as not to spoil other meals with comparisons. And we were right. The best Cacio e Pepe of our lives, fantastic roasted lamb with potatoes, lightly baked aubergine, Spaghetti alla Felice with tomatoes and perfectly cooked ricotta. For dessert, we… Read more »
If you are in the Monti region (Romans say “zona”), some blocks from the Forum and Coliseum, refresh yourself in this tiny hidden gelateria. The chocolate flavors are some of the best we had in town (madagascar was incredible), as well the stracciatela. Other more creative flavors were equally tempting, like basil walnuts and honey, coffee chocolate, banana and sesame brittle, peach with wine… but… Read more »
The line outside is generally a good indication of what is to come. The ambiance is relaxed, the décor frugal with a few tables covered in checkered tablecloths and cloth napkins, and there is no wine list, as they only serve the house wine selection. Yet, the food is probably one of the best in Trastevere. It is located in the less touristic part of… Read more »
It is “the” place to be in Rome right now for the younger adults. Drinks at a bar with an easygoing see-and-be-seen kind of vibe, very typically Roman in a small piazza, with people coming for happy hour after work on their scooters, live DJs, excellent creative cocktails, and a laid-back atmosphere. The later it gets the more lively it becomes, after 7pm the house… Read more »
Located in Trastevere, a lively region loved by Italians and visitors alike, near monuments and historic buildings, this restaurant has excellent Italian food in an unpretentious but distinctive setting. The menu is quite extensive with many appetizers, and as many “piatti” (dishes) as you can think of. Our choices were baked mozzarella with Italian prosciutto, followed by creamy ravioli (the ingredients of the filling are… Read more »
