San Teodoro
San Teodoro
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 sea bass. Due to its tourist-intensive location, reservations are recommended: +39 06 678 0933
Santandrea
Santandrea
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 a variety of seafood-centric dishes (such as its creamy risotto of prawns and vegetables, with courgette and fennel), has a respectable wine list (including those produced in Sicily itself), and tasty desserts (like cassatelle — crunchy parcels of pastry, filled with ricotta, lemon zest and chocolate — a local favorite). Note: only dinner is served here (and is closed on Sundays).
Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo
Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo
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 diners. That, as well as a variety of ingredients to the choosing of each individual pie consumer.
Piccolo Napoli
Piccolo Napoli
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 this restaurant’s dishes – ranging from marinated raw fish (pesce crudo marinato), to octopus salad (insalata di polpo), and squid ink spaghetti (al nero di sepia), among other delicacies. Visitors who dine here come just as much for the local Sicilian character, as they do for the food.
Osteria dei Vespri
Osteria dei Vespri
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 local delicacies. The array of wines on this restaurant’s rack should not be ignored.
Nino
Nino
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 or tomato sauce), as well as steak tartare. Tourists recognize this restaurant because actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had their wedding rehearsal dinner here.
L’Incontro
L’Incontro
L’Incontro (Piazza Della Repubblica 7, Florence) – known for its outdoor dining (and receiving accolades from TripAdvisor.com), this restaurant (which is part of the Rocce Forte’s Hotel Savoy), serves Buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes and basil, spaghetti à la vongole and fillet of beef with porcini mushrooms, Crispy baby pig chard stew, as well as various traditional Florentine dishes.
La Terrazza
La Terrazza
La Terrazza (Hotel Excelsior, Via Partenope 48, Santa Lucia, Naples) – forgot the menu, at least for a moment. This restaurant’s outstanding amenity is the panoramic view of the Naples area that it provides its diners (Castel dell’Ovo, Mount Vesuvio and beyond toward Capri, Ischia and the Sorrento Coast). Located on the rooftop of the luxury Hotel Excelsior, this restaurant serves dishes such as the creamed local pasta with ricotta cheese and threads of crispy zucchini; and the braised fillet of veal with aromatic field and pudding eggplant with buffalo mozzarella cheese. This, along with a competent wine list. Reservations strongly recommended: +39 081 7640 111
Il Convivio
Il Convivio
Il Convivio (Vicolo dei Soldati 31, Navona, Rome) – located just north of Piazza Navona, this Italian eatery (which earned a Michelin star) serves dishes such as porcini mushrooms and quail scallops; caramelized tuna fish with chestnut honey, ginger, green pepper, rosemary, and green apple purée; spaghetti with a ragout of sole, artichokes, and tuna roe; breast of guinea fowl in a mustard crust; and salt cod confit with tomatoes, spring onions, olives, Jerusalem artichokes, and eggplant. The 16th century building this restaurant is housed in adds more character to this fine restaurant.
I Figli delle Stelle
I Figli delle Stelle
I Figli delle Stelle (Giudecca 70-71, fundamenta delle Zitelle, Venice) – with view across to St. Mark’s, this Venetian restaurant (located on the local island of Giudecca) serves dishes from the Puglia, Lazio and Veneto regions, such as Trancio di pesce spada alla griglia, Salsiccia pugliese al finocchio and Parmigiana di zucchine e melanzane.
