Mama cooks authentic seasonal Umbrian dishes. The multi-course dinners a journey through local and…read moreseasonal cuisine. It's a small place so might take a couple visits to get in. Worth the wait.

This was an amazing...no, trip-making, serendipitous stop for us this week. Oh.My.God. If I could…read moreeat here every night I would. We didn't even realize there was no menu, just course after luscious course served by the most friendly and funny person ever. Wow. We just loved it. Not often does this happen on a vacation and it is so special. Please search this out if you are in Spoleto.

The restaurant of a little hotel in the hills of Arezzo. Gorgeous views over the rolling hills and…read moretrees. No-nonsense interior and menu. Super cheap, 3 euro for a bottle of wine. 8-10 euro for meat and 4 euro for a plate of delicious pasta bolognese. Can easily spend up to 2 hours here eating everything! Later on, the waitress comes by with a dessert cart and forces you to try her specialty tiramisu/cakes. A must-see if you're in the area (Montevarchi).

This restaurant has a beautiful interior and widely spaced tables for privacy. The staff is…read moreexcellent. Our waitress spoke English well, had a ready smile, and gave lots of advice. We did try the zucchini souffle appetizer, and it was indeed excellent. The wine list was extensive, and the house red was very good. Two of our party ordered the ravioli, which was too fishy for them to eat. The waitress made no issue of them ordering another meal, although we paid for all of them. We would definitely return.

We stayed in an apt above this restaurant and ate here often. Fantastic food and service. Some of…read morethe staff speaks English and is very helpful. Try the zucchini soufflé! It's yummy. This place is definitely worth the walk up the steep hill.

Il Ridotto was probably one of the biggest busts on our trip to Italy. They seemed to have good…read morebuzz online, so we took a chance on them over a Michelin starred restaurant. Location is not far from St. Mark's square, although you have to be almost right on top of the restaurant before you see it. The dining room is very small, maybe 10 tables total and well decorated. The waitress was a bit rough with her English, so it was slightly challenging although you can pretty much go on auto pilot since the menu descriptions are also in English. We were the first table in, and the service started off pretty well. Calamari amuse-bouche was good. Appetizers were great. Squid stuffed with pear and rosemary along side cuttlefish and shrimp in a savory sauce. Scallops were also good, had a bit of a Thai twist. Other patrons showed up, and then things went unexpectedly down hill. Way down hill. It became fairly obvious that they were profiling the clientele, catering to those they projected to spend the most / tip best. Being young, we were on the suffering end of the spectrum along with a poor Japanese couple that spent most of the night being ignored. They had an hour to savor their Amuse. It was interesting to watch a young local bring a girl he wanted to impress. It took about 15 minutes for him to be as far along in his meal as the Japanese couple who were passing the 1.5 hour mark. From our online research we knew the Chef has a tendency to deliver at least one course to your table and ask how things are. We did not exist as he walked past us multiple times. At this point we were fairly annoyed, but the last course was finally here. At least we can go out on a good note. Unfortunately it was severely bland. Beef cheek was very mediocre, quite a let down. My wife was similarly unimpressed with her final fish course. Curiously, our hit and miss guidebook had the exact same opinion of the food, so I don't think it was just bad luck. Good food is at a premium as it is in Venice, so if you end up here take my (and my guidebook's) recommendation and make yourself a little tapas meal out of appetizers. Try to look old and rich as well. If you live outside Italy, reservations are most easily made by emailing them directly.

Il Ridotto in Venice, Italy is an Absolute Gem…read more Il Ridotto is located just behind the sumptuous St. Mark's Basilica in gorgeous Venice. This trendy spot just received its first vaunted Michelin Star this year and we have a feeling another one is on its way soon. The restaurant's light brick walls imbue a rustic ambiance with a modern chic décor seating 24 inside. The warm, humble and camera-shy Chef Gianni Bonaccorsi greeted us with such an amiable and enchanting smile. Riccardo was our meticulous and handsome sever who kept us wanting for nothing all afternoon. One of our favorite facets of this restaurant is that it is very affordable. They have lunch special where one can eat three tapas, one main and a mineral water for only 28 Euros! That is one of the best deals you will EVER find at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Almost all of the dishes are either 25 or 30 Euros and nothing is more than 35 Euros. There is also a 5-course tasting menu for only 70 Euros. These are insanely reasonable prices for a restaurant of this caliber. The opening bread basket had wonderful toasted bread that was thicker than Texas Toast as well as addictive runway model (long and skinny) bread sticks that were served with sterling Sicilian olive oil, which was perfect for dippage. We started off our feast with the Pea Soup with Mussels, Clams, Langoustine and Bread that was utterly superb. It was so smooth yet bursting with the deep complexity of the diverse seafood flavors. During our whirlwind culinary adventure throughout Italy, we found dishes that were so beautifully crafted, they should have their own exhibit in a museum. The Sardine Sandwich with "Panzanella" Vegetable served with Ricotta cheese and Candied Capers was one of these resplendent masterpieces. This inside-out sardine sandwich with sweet popped rice cake was such a delight to gaze upon and indulge. The multiple colors of pepper purees added a radiant complexion to this stunning dish. All the different textures and seasonings swirled around in our mouths in an enrapturing fashion. The Rabbit Bon-Bon with Potatoes Mille-Feuille and Artichokes was simply divine. The rabbit had a deliciously succulent and uniquely sirenic flavor. It had a dark meat chicken like texture with an enhanced and gratifying taste. The potato mille-feuille was an original, exquisite and trippy composition of very thin potato sheets combined into one potato cube. It had an onion like consistency that was so tasty. The "Caciucco" Fish Soup with Diverse Pastas and Lime Essence was personally brought out by Chef Gianni and he told us it was dedicated to Miami. Twas such a bountiful, delightful and soothing soup; every bite had velvety succulent seafood and pasta in it. The essence of lime flavor in it satiated our palates like few other soups ever had. There were mussels, fish, various types of pastas and even roasted potatoes in it. Chef Gianni told us that the dish is hot, diverse and close to the sea, which is reminiscent of Miami. The Black Spaghetti, Sea-urchins, Cress and Candied Peppers was another exquisite looking plate. It appeared as if the kitchen had an artist on staff, meticulously plating the pasta for the ultimate aesthetic appearance. The candied peppers were a flavorful addition to the seductive pasta. Chef Gianni inventively thin sliced a scallion into both the appearance and texture of pasta. The Lamb Hamburger with Red Curry and Vegetables Mayonnaise was an immaculately juicy diminutive burger that splendidly integrated rosemary with a spicy curry sauce. The purple you see in the photo is a cabbage that the Chef innovatively turned into a delicious and healthy potato chip. For dessert we had the Pistachios with Pistachios Bavarian Cream and Tangerine Gel. The Sicilian orange peel was candied which gave the dish a tantalizing mandarin scent. It was a dessert that deftly combined sweet, salty and tart through a myriad of different textures all into one bite. It was an inventive treat and a great way to cap off a truly stellar meal. Though Chef Gianni is a man of very few words, he mentioned his inspiration always begins with the vegetables, which permeate throughout all of his dishes. Most diners overlook the pertinence of veggies but most of the spices and flavors that we crave actually stem from them. He calls himself not an artist, but a culinary craftsman. When asked how it felt to receive the cherished Michelin Star that most chefs would literally kill for, with a humble and almost embarrassed smile he simply answered, "it felt good." His exalted cuisine combines flavors from all around the globe to create a new interpretation of old school Venetian cuisine making him one of the finest culinary craftsmen we have encountered and we applaud him.

Michelin Star quality! Amazing food, beautiful presentation & top notch Service! Small restaurant…read morethat cooks some of the most amazing food we have had in all our travels through out Italy! Evening Al Fresco dining is lovely with candlelit white tablecloth tables, attention to detail. We have dined there twice & from their Antipasti to Dolci, all was wonderful. Every ingredient-Fresh! A very Tuscan stand out was the Stuffed Guinea Fowl with Truffle Sauce, Guinea was a mild wild flavor with the rich earthy truffle sauce was simply divine, beautiful presentation! You really need reservations for this gem of a restaurant

What an absolutely wonderful little restaurant. We opted for the outside tables on the small patio…read moreout back. Kind of wish we had selected inside instead since the small areas inside are so intimate and cool looking. Either way, it is the food we were here for and it did not disappoint in any way. I hate to admit, that since this was a long lunch to celebrate our friend's anniversary, I forgot to take a photo of the menu and now can not find the receipt to know exactly what we had or what the photos are all of. The one pasta with the small egg yoke in the middle is a pasta carbonara, and it was amazing. As you stir the pasta the egg cooks, giving a unique freshness. Of course the red tomato pasta is a traditional pasta, but the flavor was outstanding. Appetizers were a savory cannoli that just burst with flavor. The most unique item was a cheese stuffed squash blossom. Everything that passed our lips was unique and bursting with flavors. Servings are not American huge, instead they are Italian tasteful. Plenty to eat and still feel good. The restaurant also has an excellent wine cellar with local selections. We had a bottle of local white that was perfect for the meal and not too expensive at all. This is a perfect special occasion restaurant and not to be missed when visiting Spoleto.

A wonderful dinner experience in historic city center of Norcia. The name of the restaurant derives…read morefrom the city theatre across the piazza, still being restored after the devastating earthquake in 2016/17. Th restaurant has both inside dining and a huge lovely covered outdoor patio. The menu is typical Umbrian--wide-ranging and broad, and also a great wine list. Our meal was one of the best we'd had on our most recent trip: an (almost obligatory) antipasto of local Charcuterie, two primi (Amatriciana and sugo di Cinghiale) and verdure (cicorie.). All accompanied by a very nice Rubesco wine from Umbrian producer Lungarotti. Service was friendly and helpful. We really liked this place and would happily return when traveling through Norcia. Happy to support local businesses in this jewel of a town, still recovering from earthquakes.

We love Il Molino! The owners and staff are friendly and accommodating! Food is superb. The lasagna…read more(white) is spectacular. Be sure to finish with the double chocolate cake!

I went here as part of my tour with my tour group. Best dinner I had in Italy, hands down…read more The ristorante is at the top of a steep hill but it was completely worth the trip up and then back down. The town of Spello itself is enchanting and I would love to return. The flavors in every dish I had at this restaurant would make it well worth the effort. Our starter was bruschetta with tomatoes and olive oil. It was good but not great, which made me nervous for the rest of the meal. We then got the next course and it blew my mind away. Pasta with an orange and cream sauce - sound different and weird? That would be because it was and I love whoever invented it. It is apparently a secret recipe passed down through the generations of chefs who have owned this restaurant. And oh my God, it was so Delicious. Best pasta I have ever had, period. Next was a baked chicken dish that paled in comparison to the pasta (I wish that had been the main dish instead) but was still tasty. Lastly, the dessert again blew my mind - chocolate lava cake with a side of gelato. Not a rare combination but executed so powerfully that I'm still salivating at the thought of it. All in all, it was an amazing experience (there was plenty of Umbrian wine) and the staff and service were excellent. Definitely recommend!

Amazing food and amazing service! We stayed in Spello for a week in October and this place was…read morerecommended by our host. Everything from the wine, the ambiance and food was wonderful. It is a small place so highly recommend to make reservation.

Loved this small osteria from the moment we entered. The restaurant is cozy and welcoming. Our…read morehostess in Spello made the reservation for us. Massimo greeted us warmly as I stumbled through my very bad Italian. There is no rush here to turn over tables. We enjoyed a lovely meal at a leisurely pace. We started off with a litre of the house red wine. My husband and I both had the lentil soup -- lentils from Lake Trasimeno region. Hot and delicious. My husband had the Tagliata di Manzo with arrugala. I had the Papparadelle al Ragu Rosso Umbro -- Both were outstanding. By far one of our favorite meals in Spello.