Places to Eat

I have listed some places to eat that we have had wonderful experiences at. Many of these places we have been to multiple times and have become our favorites. It is impossible for me to list every place that we have been to eat in Italy. You can look at my suggestions and/or research your own picks on trip advisor There are many variables that go into to having a great time at a trattoria and I certainly hope any of the following are as good for you as they were for me! For the most part, we try to visit trattorias, osterias and hosterias. There have been some ristorantes and the ones I listed were very good too. There were a few, very few places we visited that I got up and left before ordering. Whether the wait was too long for service, a waiter with a bad attitude or something that just didn’t feel right and looking back, I never regretted leaving a restaurant and I always found a better place.

A friend of mine from Molfetta, Nicolo, told me a very long time ago to stay away from ristorantes and go to trattorias, hosterias, osterias where Mom, Pop and the family are in the kitchen with the freshest daily ingredients. Boy, was he right! I never had a bad meal in Italy. Stay away with some exceptions to ristorantes (high priced fancy pants frozen tourist food and avoid places to eat in the main piazza.

We will split a bottle of wine for dinner. If the prices look to high for a bottle, we will have the vino de casa and have rarely regretted it! Additionally, we drink an Aperol Spritz and make them at home especially in the hot summer. Aperol, prosecco, soda water or diet ginger ale, add a slice of orange.

Dinner starts later in Italy and many places to eat don’t open until 7:30 or 8pm. Get into practice of making reservations since some restaurants only have 8 tables or so. Also, share a pasta, appetizer, or a meat dish since portions may be large. You will get to try more delicious foods! We have made the mistake before, so split a food or a pizza.

I keep a list of restaurants that I have researched prior to the trip for every town visited. I also sometimes discuss my research with the front desk or owner of the hotel, but am inclined to stick to my lists. Make sure you note which if any day of the week a restaurant may be closed.

Milano

Trattoria Milanese (Closed on Sundays)
via Santa Marta 11, 20123 | Phone: 011390286451991 |
For the best Veal Milanese (also known as an “elephant ear” and Risotto Milanese).

Trattoria
This place was a wonderful find for lunch walking distance from the Last Supper and Santa Marie de Grazie. I can’t remember the name but if someone finds it, let me know.