What's good to eat in Florence and Venice?

Question

Off to Italy this spring - and being intrepid gastronauts, my partner and I would like to sample local restaurants and specialities.

Any tips/finds?

Answer 1

I would go to www.we8there.com and see there. Its a pretty good site for user rated places. Its not critically rated but its just with regular people (i think) so its not every resturant under the sun. I would also looking at informational pages for those locations.

Answer 2

OK.  I believe I have come up with an answer that would make anyone happy.  My friend Andrea is a restaurant consultant for a firm in Seattle, WA.  She has been all around the world and the US to find out which restaurants have the best cuisine.  Here is a list that lists the Good and Best Restaurants in both Florence and Venice.  It is Andrea's and my pleasure to provide this list for you.

Florence

Enoteca Pinchiorri

Cibero

Tre Merli

Quettro Leoni

Peno & Vino

This restaurants have beautiful views in Florence.

La Pampa

Omero

Villa San Michele

Hotel Baglioni

Restaurants in  Venice

Alle Testicte

Vini da Gigio

Alla Modonna

Da Gianni

Al Gondolieri

Flasahetteria Toscana

Al Bacareto

Corte Sconta

Shri Ganesh

Ae Oche

Answer 3

two tips: first of all, go on-line and get the three videos by Rick Steves.  Rick has spent 20 some years in Europe and knows Italy like the back of his hand.  His video series is called "Europe through the Back Door".  He gets you off the beaten track, out of the tourist traps and into wonderful, backstreet, Italian family restaurants!  We studied his videos before went spent 17 days in Italy in 2000 and it made such a difference in our Italy experience.  If we ever get the chance to go back to Italy we will certainly restudy his videos.  He believes, by the way, that the best gelato in all of Italy is at a little stand in Florence and tells you how to get to it.  We searched it out and were rewarded with ice cream beyond description!!!   Good Luck!