Star chef Mario Batali knows Italian food and admits that the Amalfi Coast is his favorite foodie spot. Don't miss the alici marinate (marinated anchovies, a specialty of the region) and be sure to visit these restaurants in Positano, Amalfi and Massa Lubrense. In Amalfi he recommends da Gemma and la Caravella.
Mario Batali's famous Manhattan restaurant, Babbo, is well-known not only for its terrific food, but also for its impeccable wine selection. That wine selection is thanks to David Lynch, Babbo's wine director. Lynch is an expert on Italian wines and naturally has a few favorite wine bars to visit in Rome. He includes Cul de Sac, the quintessential enoteca just off the Piazza Navona. But he recommends several more wine bars in almost every neighborhood in Rome. In the Prati (north of the Vatican) he touts Del Frate not only for its wines but also for its cheese selection. In Trastevere, trendy Ferrara is the place to visit for an "encyclopedic" wine list. If you are looking for something a little more low-key, try L'Angolo Divino just off Campo dei Fiori. Salud!
While Lazio is best known for its white wines, the reds are beginning to make a serious impression on foodies everywhere. Mario Batali recommends a few rossi from the region. Try Colle Picchioni for a Bordeaux-like quality, I Quattro Mori by Castel de Paolis is similar to a Syrah, and the indigenous Cesanese is often blended with other grapes for a complex meritage. The 2007 growing year was considered very good in Lazio, so look for that vintage.
On November 3 at 10:00 am the Food Network will air Molto Mario: Trastevere on a Sunday. Join Mario Batali in Rome for a gastronomic stroll through one of Rome's most interesting neighborhoods-and learn how to prepare some of Rome's most interesting dishes. Fried zucchini blossoms are destined to make an appearance. If you can't wait for the show to try the recipes, see the Food Network for a preview.
Mario Batali,the famous Manhattan restaurateur whose newest project is a series on Spain with Gwyneth Paltrow, has an extensive website with recommendations for restaurants and hotels all over Italy. Of particular interest to the Modern Traveler are his recommendations for Lazio, the region around Rome. He touts two spots in Frascati, the site of the baroque Villa Aldobrandini (pictured). For gnocchi and views he recommends Zaraza and for a more upscale experience (with wine caves) Cacciani in the center of town. If you can't make it to Lazio, but you are in Manhattan and want a taste of Rome, visit Batali's Roman-style restaurant, Lupa.
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