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Bácaro Jazz (San Marco 5546, Venice) – located by Venice’s Rialto Bridge, it draws in a solid tourist crowd. Since women who donate a bra get a free drink, there are bras hanging in this bar’s ceiling – which only adds to this venue’s fun atmosphere.  

Trattoria Sostanza (via del Porcellana 25, Florence) – this no-frills Florentine eatery is more-or-less the opposite of high-brow restaurants like L’Incontro (a place where locals grab a simple meal). This means, of course, crostini, spaghetti al sugo or prosciutto as an appetizer, and then grilled meat or tripe accompanied by beans. This, along with the […]

Uno e Bino (Via degli Equi 58, San Lorenzo, Rome) – this is a popular enoteca (offering a 200 label wine list) that also serves a variety of Roman dishes, along with a touch of nouvelle cuisine, all prepared with especially selected organic ingredients. This, as well as desserts such as tobacco mousse (on a […]

San Teodoro (Via dei Fienilli 50-51, Ghetto, Rome) – not far from the Roman Forum, this seafood-centric restaurant serves dishes such as its minestra di broccoli in brodo di arzilla (broccoli ravioli in skate broth), tonnarelli San Teodoro (with shrimp, courgettes and cherry tomatoes), seafood carpaccio (made with tuna, turbot, or sea bass), and baked […]

Santandrea (Piazza Sant’ Andrea 4, Palermo, Sicily) – in the modest Kalsa district of Sicily (near the Vucciria Marketplace), this family-run restaurant (whose outdoor tables face a picturesque piazza), located in a one-time Mafia-ridden “no go” area of town, is now a good pick for an al fresco dinner. Like other Sicilian restaurants, its serves […]

Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo (Via dei Tribunali 32, Naples) – since Naples is the birthplace of Pizza, this restaurant comes the closest there is to a shrine for pizza aficionados. With over 1,000 pizza pies made here daily, Sorbillo uses ingredients such as shaved artichokes, Vesuvian Piennolo cherry tomatoes, aged goat cheese, and basil to entice […]

Piccolo Napoli (Piazzetta Mulino a Vento 4, Borgo Vecchio, Palermo, Sicily) – this unassuming restaurant, located in a neglected residential area between Teatro Politeama and Ucciardone Prison, has a solid culinary reputation (especially among locals), which means it often fills up, particularly during the later evenings. Since this is Sicily, fresh seafood is prominent among […]

Osteria dei Vespri (Piazza Croce dei Vespri 6, Palermo, Sicily) – located on the ground floor of the historic Palazzo Gangi, this restaurant (which is open for both lunch & dinner) is one of the best-regarded in Palermo. Dishes served there include pasta with octopus cooked in red wine and fennel, as well as other […]

Nino (Via Borgognona 11, Spagna, Rome) – this restaurant draws a crowd due to its very location: a stone’s throw away from the popular Spanish Steps. It serves dishes such as the Tuscan favorites zuppa di fagioli (bean soup), chicken liver crostini, homemade pappardelle with rabbit, sformato di spinaci (spinach soufflé served with chicken liver […]