thanks guys for the replies. Just the type of posts we love. I will certainly visit a few of them
dog21

We are planning a 12 day trip starting and ending in Lyon. We would like recommendations on a loop going to Avignon and Nimes, westward to Beziers then to Albi , north to Brive and then Eastbound back to Lyon. We love the country inns with a grand restaurant in house or small towns with the same.
We have budgeted for a experience of one to three star dining (expensive)

Does anyone have ideas for a trip with these in mind. We live in a large city and do not have to be in one overseas to be happy but would like to have something to do in the days also.
Dog21

costs were approx $400 to $550 for the two and three star meals. we kept costs down by ordering the cheaper wines which were in the $35 to $60 range. It was also possible to keep things down by not ordering the menu degustione but al la carte (a pasta and an entre). the grand meals included an amuse (sometimes two or three, a pasta, a appetizer, a fish and a meat dish, a dessert and another round or two of dessert tastes. for the one star meals, probably $200 to $400
mel/dog21

I realize that many on Chowhound are looking for traditional Italian cooking at reasonable prices. Most of our choices were a bit more modern, creative, cutting edge and expensive. Still, they provided an incredible range of meals for us. We've been to over 55 countries, eaten our way thru numerous 2 and 3* meals and in retrospect, consider this our best foodie trip since following Pat Wells on her article on the best new French chefs in the country years ago.

An incredible trip but good to be back and diet for a while. Wife tells me if it won't fit under a door or a rabbit won't eat it, it will not be on the table

Hope this info is helpful to someone like you guys were to me. will monitor this for a week or two to see if anyone needs more info on hotels, food, things to see, etc

mel/dog21

Thanks to so many on Chowhound for helping us with our restaurant choices during the last few weeks. Here's a rundown on where we went:
1. Milan -- a. --Trussardi Alla Scala - 2 * - expensive but and incredible experience - had the menu degustione and was in our top two meals -- super meal
b. also Sempione 42 - recommended by a friend(obviously) on chowhound but a regrettable choice.only open for 6 weeks, not many wines and food OK but not special. nice folks who had just moved from New England to start this restaurant.
2. Parma - PariZZi - good meal but not great -- celebrity chef who flys to Rome every week to film
3. near Cremaon and Mantove-- Dal Pescatore -- 3* --- a religious experience -- wonderful, wonderful meal -- best of trip. Great food, wine, servers, etc. Considered one of the top 25 in the world by many
4.Modena - Osteria Francescana -- highly rated 3 star -- good but in our opinion, not worth the incredible expense. Only 7 tables and more tradtional cooking
5. Ravenna -- meal recommended by our hotel and a disaster -- bad food and took 3 bottles of wine to fine one that was OK
6. Ferrara -- great meal at Don Giovanni. creative cooking, special wines, reasonable prices (sorta) -- a must for anyone spending the night here. Very enjoyeable
7. Lake Garda -- Villa Fiordalismo in Gardonbe Riviera -- we had the full blown everything meal - a ton of courses and exceptional, creative cooking-- the best in town -- a must for anyone in town
8. Verona - Il Desco - 2* - wonderful evening with off the wall cooking, w service and wines. expensive but work every penny. Many consider this the best meal in Verona
2nd night -- Osteria La Fontanina -- a more tradtional meal but still great -- less than 10 tables -- one of the most romantic venues we've ever been to. perfect evening to celebrate with your significant other
to be continued
Mel/dog21

Allende -- thanks for the advice.
1. Sorry about the spelling on Cracco - computer swallowed my whole post just as I was finishing it and had to start over.
2. .Arche is off my list
3. this was not the order of our trip -- just the places we want to visit
4. Have heard so many wonderful posts on La Buca and Da Ivan. I suspect we'd love to try
them out.. We've been to Italy maybe 7 or 8 times and while we love the grand meal, it's fun to go to a Agritourismo or something simple that serves spectacular food.
Will try to post a note here once we get back.
Any other musts on our trip?
Mel/dog21

archArche

Many thanks to you kind responders on our trip to Emilia Romania. Question -- any comments
on our choices so far?
1. Milan - two nights Caracco or Trussardi Alla Scal - 2nd night -- Alice
2. near Parma -- Dal Pescatore
3. Parma -- Parizzi, Cocchi, Da Ivan or La Buca
4. Modena -- Osteria Francescana or Arnoldos Clinica Gastronomic
5. Padua -- La Calandrino
6. Ferrara -- Zarrerano , L Ocva Guiliva or La Providenza
7. Verona -- Arche or Il Desco
8. Ravenna -- San Dominico (Imola) or La Gardela (simpler)
9.Lake Garda (2 nights) Villa Fiordaliso , Capriccio, La Rucola or La Tortuga

I realize we may get fooded out so will probably have to get a simpler meal or two at some
point. Any musts or must nots? We've been to Italy a fair number of times but this is our first time to this area
We leave in two weeks
thanks
dog21/mel

I'm planning to be at Dal Pescatore in five weeks. What was the cost of the meal per person and any great hotels nearby or do they have rooms on the property? emailed them but no answer
mel/dog21

i'm properly chastized -- no longer will we order only one prix fix meal and then al la carte on the other. We also generally get a good bottle of wine , an after dinner wine and never, never would we take food from the restaurant. Glad to know about the tipping -- we have been to over 50 countries and each seems to have a diiferent agenda . Also, we plan to certainly eat at traditional restaurants also to get a feel for the different regional tastes.
oh well -- time to remortage the house and enjoy our trip

mel/dog21

Many thanks to Allende, Octavian and Barberindee on their help for our coming trip to Emilia Romana.
We intend to try Dal Pescatore, Le Calandre, Craco and Osteria Francescana. Wow --- looking at the cost here makes us remember fondly the dining in the 70's when we ate at Paul Bocuse for $85 and
nice meals under $100 at two and three star restaurants in the countryside of France.

Questions
1. Since gratuity is often added into the meal, what is the proper amount to leave in cash for the waiters?
I have heard 5 to 10% but would like you guy"s input.
2. Also, to save costs, we have had one of us order a main course and perhaps and appetizer --- then, the other orders the menu degustione (prix fix) and we share many tastes together. Any feel if we can do this at these restaurants? Most places have not given us any trouble on doing this, particularily when they
are fairly empty.

I look forward to your reply plus any addition suggestions on cutting edge food.

I suspect I will either have a huge diet ahead of me when we return or a visit to the tailor shop.

thanks again for your wisdom
Mel/dog21

thanks for your kind replies. We have put both Le Candre and Dal Pescatore on our list. Question--I got on their web site (Dal Pescatore) and saw no mention of prices. Is everything prix fix and what is the approx tariff for dinner there before wine?
While we love creative cutting edge food, I realize we can/t eat like this everyday. We plan to space out our incredble meals with great traditional ones that hopefully will still be wonderful.

when we travel, the food is the most important, and many times, we book our restaurants first and then our hotels. Another love is the one or two star meals with a nice room upstairs for us. Mornings afterwards are often spent visiting with the chef/owner. We often spend much more on our dining than our rooms. It is definitly a fun hobby.
I really appreciate your advice
Mel/dog21

My wife and I love cutting edge Italian food. Not only great taste but creativity and looks.
We leave next month for two weeks starting in Milan and working our way through Emila
Romana and up to Lake Garda. We would appreciate comments so far on the following possible choices and any other places we might love. Price is not a big issue but would like to keep meals under $400 a night (including a good bottle of wine and tips)

1. Milan -- Ristorante alla Scala , Craco or Giacomo Bistro

2. Mantua -- L Aquilla Nigra (the Black Eagle)

3. Parma -- Parrizi or Riva
(nearby -- Da Ivan)

4. Bolgna -- Bitone, I Portice, Pappagallo, Marco Fagio Bistrot

5 Imola -- San Domenico

6. Ferrara -- Zafferano or L Orca Givliua or La Providenza

7. Verona -- Arche, Il Desco,

8. Ravena -- La Gardela

9. Lake Garda (depending on where we stay -- San Viglio, Villa del Sogno, or Grand Hotel
Villa Floraliso , La Rucola or ?

We have been to Italy 7 or 8 times before but have liitle experience in this area

Please help

Mel/dog21