tlew12778's Profile
One night dining alone in Milan?
I live in Milan... can't think of one restaurant that has communal dining actually. Sometimes the Lattera Vegetariana is so full they will stick more than one party at a table but it's not true communal dining. I generally go for lunch and I highly highly suggest the piatto forno misto (or any other piatto misto...).
There is also La Madonnina on Via Gentilino but it's not cmmunal either. Just true home cooked Milanese food.
Both are very laid back places and you won't spend more than 25 euros for a meal.
Honeymoon in Italy
I live in Italy and my DH is pescian. Our favorite restaurants of all time are"
Sorrento - Ristorante Museo Caruso www.ristorantemuseocaruso.com
Rome - Lo Spirito di Vino http://www.ristorantespiritodivino.net/home.aspx
Vico is actually where pizza was invented ;)
Italy Restaurant Itinerary - Any additions?
You have to try Ristorante Museo Caruso in Sorrento. We live in Italy and I seriously think this is one of the best meals we have ever had in our lives.
Try also Le Mani in Pasta and Lo Spirito di Vino in Rome.
Milan (home, sweet home) try Vecchia Latteria on Via dell'unione (closed on Sundays). No English menu but get the tasting menu (or let the owner decide for you). Osteria dell'Operetta on Corso di Porta Ticinese has a good tasting menu (35 euro per person). Cantina della Vetra (Piazza Vetra) is not bad. You need a taxi to get here but Trattoria del Drago is fabulous. No English menu there either and it's not in any guidebooks as far as I know. D'O (outside of Milan in Cornaredo) is very sought after but you probably cannot get a reservation at this point. There is a two month waiting list. Another great place to try is Giaccomo on Via Sottocorno.
Help needed-first time in Cannes..
I have not eaten at the Palme d'Or but its reputation precedes it. My coworkers seem to think it is worth the visit. Astoux et Brun is great for a Plat Royale if you are with a group of people (you'll spend at least 50 euro a head here). I like the beach restaurant of the Grand Hotel as well (prices are pretty decent considering it's Cannes... salads run about 15-20 euro).
I will be in Cannes next week for a week and I plan on trying Le Cave (tried to get a table last time I was there and could not despite asking for every day of the week).
What do Chowhounds do for a living (besides eat of course)?
I work in TV. Basically I buy and sell TV program rights. I am 30 (well on Sunday anyway).
DH is a surgeon. He is 33.
We have been foodies since we started dating 10 years ago. We live in Italy though so good food is expected (although not always found) everywhere we go. We travel pretty extensively both for work and pleasure.
Cookware in Italy
Go to Rinascente in Milan. Bottom floor is cookware and housewares.
I live in Milan and I use Lagostina Academia for the most part. It's 5-ply. Lagostina is not sold in the US. It makes Calphalon look like disposable aluminum.
You can find cheap(er) Barazzoni than in the US.
I can't think of what is typical for Italy since it's standard for me, but maybe a polenta pot?
Info on the Amalfi Coast.
We were in Positano last year for our anniversary and I honestly would not stay there again. We stayed at the Marincanto which is literally next door to the Sirenuse. The hotel was fine (albeit overpriced but that is true for all of Positano) but Positano in and of itself is overrun by Americans. Next time we will be staying in Sorrento which has a more lively atmosphere at night, but offers the same access to various villages and historical sites. It you are moving around by public transport, Sorrento is probably the way to go so as to avoid the local buses.
Milan -- Last Supper
What's your budget? I live in Milan so I am pretty well versed on the restaurants here.
Expect to spend quite a bit on meals in Milan. The average dinner (not Michelin restaurants) will cost you btwn 40-50 euro per person with wine.
In that range, I would probably recommend Catina della Vetra or Osteria dell'Operetta (get the tasting menu, min of 2 people I think). Both are walking distance from the Duomo.
Incidentally, Cracko Peck also has aperitivo.
Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore?
No suggestions for Riomaggiore but there is a bar/cafe in Vernazza that has mussels that are out of this world. I don't think it has a name out front, but if you have the beach to your back (there is only tiny piazza in Vernazza) it's the bar in the left corner of the piazza. The environment is nothing to write home about but the seafood is phenomenol.
Ravello and Capri
Will you have a car?
If so, I definitely recommend taking a trip to Sorrento at dining at Caruso. Here's the website: http://www.ristorantemuseocaruso.com/
I live in Italy and I swear this is some of the best food I have ever had here. I would go back to Sorrento just to go back to this restaurant.
It's about 75-100 euro per head for a full meal but well worth it.
