RRainey

First off I highly recommend a book Chow Venice its available on Amazon. It is by two authors who post frequently on my primary message board www.slowtrav.com You can try posting there it is quite active over there. The kids may be frustrated depending on their age etc. on the pacing of a typical restaurant. I recommend two categories Osterias- specific recommendation near Piazza San Marco- Leon bianco Osteria Pizza! its great and places also frequently have salad or pasta as weell. service tends to be more efficient as well.

I recommend you stay in Talamone a nice seaside town and my restaurant choice would be http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...orco&s=alberese Very casual but amazing food. I have recommended this place to others they were happy! RR

I would stay at Lake Orta as mu wife and I love it and thing it is the most romantic lake in Italy, we have stayed there 3 times. Al soriso is 6.5 km away( never been) il sole di Rancio is 12 km away.

I was in western Sicily for just under two weeks last October. I did about 8 reviews which I posted on the slowtrav website. Not food related but the standout site was in south western sicily near menfi and the FABULOUS!!! Il Vittorio restaurant. Selunente archeological site. amazing. That and Il due passi del mare are worth traveling a LONG way. Links to reviews see below http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...mmare+del+golfo http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...mmare+del+golfo http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...+venere&s=erice http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...ata&s=marettimo http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...ero&s=marettimo http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...gelo&s=monreale http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...are&s=petrosino http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...o+palo+di+menfi http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...an+vito+lo+capo

No you caught me just in time I leave Friday afternoon thanks. I think I finally found the correct location on the map for il vignetto

Thanks for the try sorry that's no help. I found the listing on Via Michelin and the map puts it in town which as I said does not make sense based on the description, another description I found has it on the coast. I suppose I can call when I'm there but I just would like to have a general idea. I know its not too far from Selunente.

The via michelin description puts il vigneto in the "open countryside" however their address seems to put them in town(Menfi). Another address near the beach. Where is the real il Vigneto? Help! RR

I am topping this thread in the hopes of getting some new answers. the trip is close! Also the location of Il Vignetto in Menfi is confusing. It is listed as being in "A farmhouse in the open counrtyside" however the map and address seem to indicate it is in town on Via Porto Palo.

John, that's great to hear. I was just quoting the prices listed but maybe that is for an extravagant dinner. Fabulous!

The slow food guide is now available in English. I just got mine yesterday. I was a little dissapointed that the average price listed is around 30 euro/person without wine that makes over 100 dollars with wine for two. The amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Osterie-Locande-dIta...76820781&sr=8-1

I like Le Moussache on Via Del Proconsolo near the Duomo. Beware it is closed on the weekends! Granted there are some tourists but also regulars (locals) who go there for daily meals, I'm jealous. I went here 3 times on my last trip to florence, I believe its been there since the 40's. I first went in 93. http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/...ossacce&s=duomo The above is a link to multiple good reviews from a very nice travel site where I post obsessively. It's addicting. RR

Roz, My wife and I are in a hiking/running group doing a trip from December 16-Jan 1. we will be in Glacier, Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego etc. We are also probably are going to split from the group for our last few days including New years. Here is our trip http://www.andesadventures.com/run4.htm RR

Thanks! RR

I am interested in Li Vignetto and Da Vittorio can you tell me their closed days and are they open for lunch and dinner? I already have bookmarked Planeta, Fazio and Donnafugata for winery visits. thanks RR

which fish is available for the fall? Tuna are out of season? RR

John, Are you sure the name wasn't Osteria Di Venere? I can't find refrence to Osteria Di Erice. RR

I will be in far western sicily for two weeks next fall. West of Agrigento,west of the North south autostrada. I plan to go to Marettimo for a few days, Erice,selinute Tripani, etc. Please suggest wineries to visit and places to eat esp. if below 30 euro/person. RR

If I wanted to go on New Years eve at 9pm would I have to make a reservation now? RR

Is La Cabrera open for Lunch? RR

Hello, I am wondering about Don Julio it appears to be invisible on the internet. Can you give me the address phone and web address if they have one? How does it compare to El Obrero? RR

I guess putting money in real estate would be a hedge as well. My guess is that foreigners and those with extra money are going to push prices up soon.

I know you must here Americans and Europeans say how cheap restaurants are in BA. I am curious how locals feel. Have prices increased or decreased relative to salaries since the Peso devaluation? RR

Thanks for the reply, it sounds great. My favorite wine so far is Catena Zapata malbec which is an 18 dollar wine here, very nice and balanced. It looks like a lot of the blends are a little pricey. I guess going for the international market. Are there any that are worth the high price? So far no response from Buenos vinos or Terrior. maybe they are not used to making plans 3 months in advance? RR

Thanks for the info, I e-mailed both of your suggested places. I am not sure if others in my group will want to join me. But I think if I buy a case of wine to take home that would make it more worthwhile for them. Thanks also for the previous reply. I am anxiously waiting to go to El Obrero! How extensive is their wine list? Anything special that you remember? RR

I have googled and found one place in BA with wine tasting class, the club Del Vino. Can I get this class or somewhere else in English? I speak some Spanish but am hardly fluent. I bought a few books, but its hardly the same, so far I have tried Broquel Malbec which was simple but very masculine and would work great with a steak! RR