VENICE
Al Covo ****
Castello 3968, campiello della Pescaria - Venice
Ph. +39 041.5223812
Closed on Wednesday & Thursday
www.ristorantealcovo.com
A very charming restaurant, with its Murano glass bottles and the wooden counter. Only fresh home-made food is served here. The wine list counts more than 140 labels.
Ai Gondolieri ****
Dorsoduro , 366 San Vio – Venice
Ph. + 39 0415286396
Closed Tuesday
www.aigondolieri.com
Close to the Peggy Guggenheim museum, exquisite food especially known for their Risotto and meat dishes. Suggested for both Lunch & Dinner and for pasta and meat lovers.
Da Ivo ****
St Marco 1809 , Ramo dei Fuseri – Venice
Ph. + 39 0415285004
www.ristorantedaivo.com
This cozy restaurant offers a warm atmosphere, appreciated specially by the grand hotels clientele. Luxury and intimacy in a rustic ambience, windows overlooking the canal, Florentine and Venetian cuisine are its hallmarks. Reservation is strongly recommended.
Osteria Ai Assassini ***
Sestriere San Marco 3695- Venice
Ph. + 39 0415287986
Closed on Saturday for lunch and Sunday all day
www.osteriaiassassini.it
A great typical “ baccaro” near the Fenice opera house for both lunch and dinner. The host and owner Giuseppe will make you feel right at home and temp you with his Venetian specialties and wine list. It is a very local restaurant which easy to find a local crowd for lunch and in the summertime there are a couple of charming tables to eat outdoors.
The menu served is at discretion of Giuseppe, the friendly tavern keeper. Mondays you will find white meat dishes, Tuesdays feature stews and braised meats, while Wednesdays are generally dedicated to rich, fatty food: pasta e fagioli (thick bean soup with pasta), cotechino (boiled sausage), trippa (boiled tripe). Thursdays are the reign of baccalà, Friday is devoted to fish like grilled tuna, anglerfish, octopus, while on Saturdays the chef’s imagination is free.
Acqua Pazza **
San Marco 3808 , Campo Sant’Angelo – Venice
Ph. + 39 0412770688
www.venicemasaniello.com
Acqua Pazza is located in Campo Sant' Angelo just a 5 minute walk form Saint Mark's Square. I highly recommend even though it is not a Venetian restaurant, but southern Mediterranean, because it is the best pizza in town! It is also one of the few good casual restaurants that also has seating outside in the lovely campo. Please keep in mind that even though it is casual long pants are required for men in the evening.
VERONA
RESTAURANT ARQUADE *****
HOTEL VILLA DEL QUAR
Via Quar, 12 - 37029 - Verona
Ph. +39 0456800681
www.hotelvilladelquar.it
Upon your arrival you will be greeted with warmth and professionalism. If you've never been here, you will be impressed by its atmosphere and its elegant decor. You will be immediately immersed in its refined ambience and surrounded by professional and discreet staff, excellent and attentive service and attentive. The Eurosia and Tresor Rooms are intimate and beautifully furnished with neoclassical touch; bright, transparent, with spatial ambiguity, the Serra, enhanced by tropical plants. All over you will appreciate a great attention to detail. The searching for harmony and attention to every detail is presented in the service, in the dining room and in the kitchen. The kitchen is elegant, contemporary, attentive to the fundamentals of the culinary tradition. Essential cooking: the elements that compose it are clear understanding. The “cuisine” are tested to exalt the best characteristics of each component. Sometimes different temperatures are needed for different products to get "different sensory perceptions." Great importance is given to the serving temperature of the plates; absolutely necessary to obtain the highest exaltation. Everything comes from the constant deepening of knowledge of raw materials, techniques, aimed at achieving the synthesis of products with the presentation and the 'harmony of taste. We call this elegant cuisine as, whilst expressing harmony of flavours and colours, it also has an own and well defined style.
PIEDMONT
Del Cambio *****
Piazza Carignano, 2 – Torino
Ph. + 39 011543760
The Restaurant Del Cambio , one of the best in town , offers a discreet and reserved style and a strong and delicate cuisine that has much in common with the French gastronomy but yet displays personality and originality of its tradition. The place of Conte di Cavour, the architect of Italian unity that was the most famous guest of the restaurant, is still marked by a bronze plaque. Reservations required.
L’Osto del Borgh Vej ****
Via T. Tasso, 7 – Torino
Ph. + 39 0114364843
www.losto.it
L’Osto del Borgh Vej it’s a charming “ Trattoria “ located in the ancient part of the city of Torino .
The intimate and elegant restaurant offers a wide range of Piedmont dishes with care of details and wonderful wine. Try the “Agnolotti al Plin” , risotto with Barolo or Gnocchi with Castelmagno cheese …..you will be in paradise.
LA CARBONAIA ***
Corso Vinzaglio 3 - Torino
Ph. +39 011530777
www.osterialacarbonaia.com
At LA CARBONAIA Restaurant the atmosphere is always warm and friendly. It is ideal for lunches and dinner parties and for romantic nights. The wine list may be changed according to the available products of the season. You can also match your courses with more than…wine labels. LA CARBONAIA Restaurant offers you typical foods. You can begin with the buffet where you can find the best cheeses and typical, genuine salami and cold pork meats. The protagonist is the meat with different carvings such as the bife de chorizo, entrecôte, bife de lomo. Our raw materials are accurately selected by the chef. Agnolotti, castelmagno gnocchetti or our ravioli and other types of fresh pasta, bread and all the desserts are all home-made. A real Italian Fiorentina or a good Argentine beef? Or what about a Tagliata alla Robespierre (thinly-sliced raw meat) or a typical green pepper fillet? LA CARBONARA is a specialist in the best meat from Argentine beef to the most tender and tasty Irish one.
We are open also at lunch time from Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights! First-quality meat, home-made pasta and the real Pizza Napoletana. We have the most complete and sophisticated Turin wineries at our disposal.
Porto di Savona ***
Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 2 – Torino
Ph. + 39 011 8173500
www.portodisavona.com
This is one of the most popular trattoria in Torino and it tucked under the arcades along the largest piazza in the city. Typically piemontese cuisine seating in a family style, we can suggest the gnocchi ( usually made fresh daily ) , tajarin ( typically from Piedmont ) and its house specialty grilled meat dish or fritto misto ( fried vegetable , meat and biscuits ).
TUSCANY
Osteria Del Cinghiale Bianco ***
Borgo San Jacopo,43 - Firenze
Ph. + 39 055 215706
www.cinghialebianco.it
Cinghiale Bianco is characteristic spot, complete with romantic corners, niches in brick and stone which especially in the evening candlelight, create a suggestive ambiance .The restaurant is nestled on the ground floor of a thirteenth century tower on Borgo San Jacopo, one of the most historical streets of the Florence oltrarno section, among art galleries, antique shops and exclusive boutiques. The restaurant has two cozy dining areas. The first is within a section of the medieval tower, with it's original stone walls. The second dining area and the kitchen are located in what was the original courtyard, which was covered in the 1500s in order to create the existing residential building. Remains of the old well from which the residents drew their water are still visible. Traditional Tuscan cuisine.
La Bucaccia ****
Via Ghibellina,17 - Cortona
Ph. + 39 0575 606039
www.labucaccia.it
The restaurant, located in the old town of Cortona, it’s a stop that you cannot miss.
Between nice stone walls, the fireplace, the old cellar, the cuisine of Cortona is celebrated in all its magnificence, in the first place with the extreme rigour in the choice of raw materials. For example the extra virgin olive-oil of local production, or doc meat from the Val di Chiana, of which Cortona is land and cradle of. And again, soups, home-made noodles, sweets prepared rediscovering old receipt and finally the intense tastes of the house chesses, personally taken care of by Romano.
Taverna Pane e Vino ***
Piazza Signorelli,27 - Cortona
Ph. + 39 0575 631010
www.pane-vino.it
The Taverna Pane e Vino is a location in the historical center of Cortona, excavated inside the cantina of a 14th century palazzo, where you can experience the warm atmosphere of Toscany. The Taverna is characterized by it's extensive menu of wines that includes over 550 labels. The plates, bruschette, salami, cheeses, carpacci (very thinly sliced cured meats), cruditè, traditional soups and fresh pastas can be accompanied by wines that can be selected by the bottle or from a weekly rotation of wines served by the glass.
AMALFI COAST & CAPRI
La Caravella *****
Via Matteo Camera, 12 - Amalfi
Ph. + 39 089 871029
www.ristorantelacaravella.it
Situated in the centre of the city, La Caravella is the one of the most important and well known Restaurant in the Amalfi Coast. Opened in 1959 situated in a building of the 1100, was awarded the Michelin Guide Star. The cuisine of the "La Caravella" is based on Sea and Land products, it rediscovers the old recipes of Amalfi, representing them in a more fantastic version, exalting the senses and the tastes of the territory. The elegant and well kept environment, Cobalt blue napery, antiques, tall candles, lace tablecloths, flowered curtains, marble floors, and houses a rich collection of ceramics of the most famous Masters of Vietri since 1800 to nowadays; a rich synergy of Art, Culture and Gastronomy.
The Dipino Family, jealous, and with scrupulous care treasure this sanctuary of good cuisine, by passing down from generation to generation, their secrets and inventions always open to novelties.
Santa Caterina *****
S.S. Amalfitana, 9 - Amalfi
Ph. + 39 089 871012
www.hotelsantacaterina.it
Located in the Hotel Santa Caterina, the two restaurants offers spectacular views and a large terrace for dining. The dining room is very elegant and features marble and lapis lazuli floors. Their award-winning Cuisine is so renowned for its delicious, traditional yet creative dishes that it has been hosted in New York's Hotel Plaza on more than one occasion.
The restaurant "Al Mare", located at the Beach Club level overlooking the swimming-pool, offers delicious pasta, grilled fish and pizzas baked in the traditional oven are available.
Don Alfonso 1890 *****
Corso Sant'Agata, 11
Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi - Napoli
Ph. + 39 081 8780026
www.donalfonso.com
The greatest & charming restaurant in this area is Don Alfonso of Livia and Alfonso Iaccarino, who come from a family with a long tradition in hotel keeping and who counts Prince Rainier of Monaco as one of their many fans . They have learnt not to take for granted all the traditions that have been passed down and having travelled around the world have tried to learn different customs, different territories, different economies through the alimentary habits, through the fish and meat markets, the vineyards and all the places where life pulses. The braciola of lamb with pine nuts and raisins is based on a recipe dating from the Renaissance, and the cannoli stuffed with foie gras pays homage to the Neapolitan Bourbon court. Nearly everything is homemade, from olive oil created on the family farm to hand-churned butter, which finds its way into sublime desserts such as the pizza di cioccolato (chocolate "pizza").
In an ancient cellar dug in the tufo rock Don Alfonso stores prestigious wines from all over the world.
La Cantinella ****
Via Cuma, 42 – Napoli
Ph. + 39 081 7648684
www.lacantinella.it
La Cantinella is located on the most famous Italian water-front, on the gulf of Naples, from where you can admire the Vesuvius and the coast of Sorrento.
La Cantinella is listed in the main national and international gastronomic guide-books and is a well-known for its sophisticated seafood dishes and a relaxed but luxurious atmosphere. A wide selection of appetizers, with all the Neapolitan specialties, including a very well-done insalata di frutti di mare (seafood salad) and a house appetizer with salmon in a zucchini crust, leads into rigatoni with swordfish or pasta with tiny shrimp and clams. Together with the regional dishes there are also international dishes: from the north sea fish to fois/gras, tournedos, fillet an tagliatelle of Aberdeen beef. You can also taste typical cakes like pastiera, babà and lemon cake.
Rossellinis *****
Via San Goivanni del Toro 28 - Ravello
Ph. + 39 089 818181
www.palazzosasso.com
The two Michelin stars restaurant of Hotel Palazzo Sasso has just been awarded with very high ratings in all major Italian guides. Pino Lavarra the Executive Chef after having worked at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxford with Raymond Blanc went to run the renowned Grissini at the Hyatt Carlton Tower in London. He is back in Ravello with the goal to make of Rossellinis one of the finest Italian restaurants.
La Fontelina ****
I Faraglioni -Capri
Ph. + 39 081 8370845
fontelina@capri.it
La Fontelina restaurant of Capri is one of the most beautiful and exclusive bathing establishments in the world. Here at the feet of the famous Faraglioni, nature is at its best: the colours of the sea and the reflections of the rocks are glorified amidst the silence. It is also a historical place, where Roman emperors once made it a place of leisure and delight.
The Arcucci and Gargiulo families have passionately and lovingly maintained la Fontelina for over half a century, caring for every detail. Try the polpette di melanzane starter, and then dip into the vegetable buffet. If overwhelmed by large-size portions of pasta.
Access by boat from Marina Piccola or on foot from Punta Tragara (10 minutes). Reservations are recommended.
La Capannina ****
Via Le Botteghe 12 Bis / 14 – Capri
Ph. + 39 08183707232
www.capannina-capri.com
The restaurant " La Capannina " is located only a few steps from the Piazzetta of Capri and over the years it has become a regular destination for the island’s elite clientèle. The specialities typical Menu of the region offers a large selection of dishes, and among those that catch the eye are the aubergines stuffed with ricotta cheese, a prickly lettuce roulade, ravioli alla caprese, linguine pasta with redfish, stuffed small squid and fresh fish that varies according to the day’s catch. Wine list of over 200 Italian and foreign labels.
Valentina Mortarotti
CHARMING ITALIAN TRAVEL
Via Poirino , 351
10022 - Carmagnola (Torino) ITALY
Tel & Fax + 39 . 011.9710547
info@charmingit.com
valentina@charmingit.com
