Tables - Italy

Once again, guides are full of top restaurants and there's no point of listing them here. I'm just keeping track of some places I enjoyed. This is not about the most glamorous places but about food I like. I definitely like Florence and Tuscany, but the most memorable spot was the tiny Da Tonino wine shop in Milano.

Restaurants in Italy (see other lists of tables worldwide) :
- Florence, Fiesole, San Giminiano
- Milano
- Napoli

Eat Italian in Florence and Toscana :

TRATTORIA MARIO
Via Rosina 2r - 50123, FIRENZE, ITALY (FI)
Tel : +39.055 – 218550

My favorite trattoria in Firenze is a crowded and noisy place where you feel like ordering every single dish served on all other tables... which, considering the space, is never far away from right under your nose. Fiaschetteria - Trattoria Mario makes fantastic food fresh from the nearby market (they're at the corner of Rosina and Piazza del Mercato Centrale), so the menu changes depending on the season and the days. Don't worry : they propose meltingly damning sauces - traditional Tuscan - for both seafood and meat. From fine flavors to heavy zuppe di fagioli, you'll find anytime a solution to any situation. Of course, if you're more in a Botticelli than a Brueghel mood, if you prefer debates about the Medici to discussions about La Viola, Giancarlo Antognoni or Luca Toni, don't waste your time in this most fantastic lair. SM2007

IL LATINI
Via dei Palchetti, 6/r - 50123 FIRENZE, ITALY (FI)
Tel : +39.055.210916

Traditional Tuscan restaurant for locals who want the real thing, off the touristic path. If you intend to have dinner here, take some good friends, a light lunch, and don't forget to make a reservation and come at the opening. Now if you're a vegetarian... well, avoid this excellent slaughterhouse. SM2007

BORGO SAN JACOPO
Borgo San Jacopo 62r 50125 FIRENZE, ITALY (FI)
Tel : +39.055.281.661
Thank the Ferragamo famiglia for enlightening the city with delightful spots. You can zap their Savoy in favor of their so cosy Gallery Hotel Art or a breathtaking view from one ot their Lungarno Suites. Borgo San Jacopo enjoys a great location and an interesting decoration but depending on the season (on/off), their food can be either sublime or just above average. SM2005

OSTERIA DELLE CATENE
Via Mainardi, 18 SAN GIMIGNANO, ITALY (SI)
Tel : +39.0577.941966.
Not very exciting from the outside but what's on your plate deserves all your attention. Far from a bore (but closer to wild boars), you can enjoy tasty traditional if not medieval Tuscan food with a bottle of white Vernaccia. SM2005

I' PARIONE
Via del Parione, 74/76r 50123 FIRENZE, ITALY (FI)
Tel : +39.055.214.005
For the best food in town, you may have to go out of town (Villa San Michele definitely towers above the competition), but if you want to feast in a friendly spot, Parione provides a mouth watering menu. SM2005

VILLA SAN MICHELE
Via Doccia 4, FIESOLE, ITALY (FI)
Tel : +39.055.567.8200

Eat Italian in Napoli :

DA TONINO
Via S. Teresa a Chiaia, 47 80121 NAPOLI, ITALY (NA)
Tel : +39.081.421.533
Small tables and low prices but divine food - at the same time very simple and rich in complex flavors. The boss locks the mamma in the kitchen and takes care of you - he may offer you a drink from his - comprehensive - cave (selling wine seems his main game, which explains the rates). Who knows what the menu will be when you pass by ? It's up to the mammissima's maestria. But you don't know mozzarella till you taste her mozzarella alla pizzaela (mamma mia). Don't miss the penne alla genovese either, but order some Napolitan speciality with it so that Tonino doesn't take it as a personal offense. Watch out : the restaurant opens only certain evenings. If you really want to try another Osteria in the same street, go to Castello (# 38) instead of the insipid Osteria dell'Oca (# 11). SM2004

Eat Italian in Milano :

CORIANDOLO
Via dell'Orso 1 20121 MILANO, ITALY (MI)
Tel : +39.02.869.32.73
Let's be frank : Milano wasn't a major culinar peak for me. Coriandolo is fine but wouldn't deserve a detour. SM2005