rubybee's Profile
Lucca/Florence area in October...where should I eat
I spent four days in Lucca last month. In Lucca, I loved Trattoria da Leo... full of locals, which is always a good sign! It was fairly casual, simple food, but very good quality. I'd definitely reccommend it for a less formal Sunday night supper or something along those lines. There's also a small cafe in the back of the town, near the end of the main street (Via Felluga or something like that??) heading towards the main water fountain, that had great morning cappucino and half panini. I have a picture of it somewhere with the name, but you can't miss it... bright red awning and outdoor tables. I went back 4 mornings in a row!! And don't buy bottled water in Lucca... I mean, buy one, then refill your empty bottle at the public water fountains in town. Lucca has a natural spring that runs through the town, and the water is seriously delicious -- almost a little sweet. There's also usually mineral content plaques next to each fountain in case you wanted to see what you are drinking.
In Florence, check out the wine bars. My favorites were L'Volpe e L'Uva and Bar Pitti Gola. I have pictures of both, as well as more details on my food-themed blog if you want to check it out...
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i'm in london and i'm running out of money...
hi all,
i've been travelling through italy, france, spain and portugal for the past 6 weeks, and now i'm in london, but i'm running out of money, which is even worse, since it's so much more expensive here than anywhere else i've been. i live in nyc and have a list of good cheap places i hit up when the funds are low -- 'ino, rai rai ken, olives, etc... can someone point me to similar places in london? i'm staying in SE london, but am out and about everyday with my weekyl travelcard, so location isn't an issue. i need cheap, delicious food!
Recommendation for Italian in NYC?
i don't think peasant is that great... the wine bar downstairs is a great, romantic stop post-dinner though.
avoid little italy like the plague.
i second the reccomendation for po, and lupa is great, too. i would try to call for babbo... you never know, there might be cancellations, or, if you don't mind dining at the bar, that's always a walk-in option. il buco is great, and all of the meat is hormone/antibiotic free and raised by local farmers. oh, and for panini, you MUST go to 'ino. the best, hands down.
Budget travelling in Provence and the Languedoc... need restaurant suggestions!
hi, i'm doing a 6 week backpacking trek through northern italy and southern france, and i'm on a budget. i do love food, however, and the whole point of my trip is to learn more about food and cooking and wine. while i'm in france (nice, marseilles and small towns in between), and suggestions for where a twenty-something, non-french-speaking female travelling alone might be able to enjoy an authentic meal on a budget? i can splurge here and there, but for the most part, i'm just looking for good, simple, fresh food.
also, i posted about agriturimos in italy on the italy food board, but is there anything similar in southern france? my interests lie in organic and/or natural farming, cheesemaking and sustainable ag. i would love to actually stay on a farm for a few days!
Northern Italy: agriturismos? and cheap good eats?
I'm going to be travelling through Europe for 6 weeks this July and August, and I'm planning on being in Northern Italy from roughly July 20 to August 3. I'm interested in staying on a working farm for a few days or maybe a week, but 1) i'm young and on a tight budget 2) the agriturismo has to be somewhat accessible since i'm taking buses and trains everywhere 3) i would love to go somewhere with good, Italian farm food... preferably a place where I can actually learn something by hanging out in the kitchen.
And, I do plan on hitting Florence, Pisa, Parma, maybe Genoa and maybe Turino. I'm in my 20's, female and will be alone. Any suggsetions for places where I can get great food on a budget and won't feel uncomfortable being alone?
