Food Wine Rome: A Foodie's Guide to Rome

Food Wine Rome, a new guidebook by David Downie (food and travel writer who has contributed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit and many many other food publications), is the food guidebook for gourmets who are visiting Rome. In his book you will discover the best restaurants, food shops, and wine purveyors. Even long-time residents of Rome will find surprises in this beautifully designed and illustrated book.

Raphael, His Mistress, and Saltimbocca

Ristorante Romolo nel Giardino di Raffaello e della Fornarina, also known as Romolo, is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner in Trastevere. The restaurant, which serves typical Roman cuisine, was opened in 1950 and is located in the house and garden that supposedly belonged to Raphael's mistress, the daughter of a baker (il forno). While Raphael was working on the nearby Villa Farnesina, he would steal away to meet his lover and model, Margherita Luti. You won't find this restaurant and its very pretty garden in many of the tourist books (and hopefully you won't find many tourists either). Via di Porta Settimiana 8. Tel.065818284.

Naranzaria Wine Bar in Venice

In another life I was definitely an Italian contessa, living la dolce vita in one of my many villas and dressing in the latest Milanese fashions. Real-life contessas in Italy certainly do those things, but they also do so much more! Contessa Marie Brandolini, who owns her own Venetian glassmaking studio, runs the wine bar Naranzaria on the Grand Canal that showcases her family's wines and the fresh tastes of the Veneto region. Seafood is the specialty and with the Rialto so close you are guaranteed to have the best of what is available daily. The views of Venice from the restaurant are superb. Naranzaria stays open until 2 a.m., unusual in a town which is known for turning its lights out early.

Ca' Matilde in Reggio Emilia Earns a Michelin Star

With a regional tasting menu at 45 Euros, Ca' Matilde in Reggio Emilia is a bargain-and until now has been a well-kept secret. Recently the restaurant, which is part of an inn just outside of Rubinniano, Reggio Emilia, earned a Michelin star. The menu is full of local favorites with modern and creative twists, such as pumpkin tortellini and the favorite dessert of the region, Zuppa Inglese (English trifle with ladyfingers). There's even a kid's menu! The setting of the restaurant and inn is idyllic and certainly worth getting off the beaten track for.

On the Beach in Positano

Positano is certainly where the beautiful people are. At the Grande Spiaggia (big beach) you can join them at La Scogliera (the reef) for drinks and snacks or for lunch and dinner on the terrace at L'Incanto. The restaurant is open-air and offers a myriad of seafood options and a view of the sea. They will gladly reserve a beach chair and umbrella for you-and bring your lunch to you as you lounge in the sand.

Angels and Demons Walking Tour

Tomorrow is the big day-Angels and Demons opens all over the U.S.! If you are headed to Rome, you can take a walking tour of the major sites. For $74 per person, Viator will take you to the famous and not so famous places mentioned in Dan Brown's book. They will even read some of the passages aloud at a few sites to truly bring the book to life. If a guided tour (that costs money!) is not your idea of chasing down Angels and Demons, talk a walking tour by yourself. MSNBC has created an Angels and Demons 48 Hour Itinerary that you can follow on your own. They even recommend restaurants and shopping, like TAD department store, along the way. Diverti te!

The Best Sandwiches in Florence

Students and locals alike adore l'Antico Noe, a sandwich shop just a short walk from the Duomo. Here you can have real Italian panini made with the best meats and cheeses (salami, prosciutto, bufala mozzarella!). The food is cheap and you can even order a glass of wine to wash it down. Next door is an osteria owned by the same proprietor serving slow-cooked steaks and Tuscan dishes. The owner, Massimo, makes the sandwiches and if you become a regular, he'll never forget you! Volta di San Piero 6r.

San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants

San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants have been chosen and six restaurants in Italy have made the list. The restaurants are innovative, experimental, and break the bonds of tradition all the while being the most chic in the city and country. The Italian restaurant ranked highest on the list is Osteria Francescana in Modena with the Michelin-starred Ristorante Cracco in Milan not far behind. The famous Gambero Rosso in Livorno has made the list again. Combal.Zero in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Piedmont presents dishes that will surprise you in every way. Dal Pescatore in Mantua has one of Italy's most celebrated women chefs. La Calandre in Rubino is traditional and hearty and has a pastry shop and food shop that you can order from on-line! These restaurants are worth leaving the beaten track for-and not easy to get into. Make sure you call ahead.

Da Georgio on Capri

Right in the center of Capri town, just steps from the Funicular, is Da Georgio. A Caprese original, Da Giorgio has been serving fresh seafood and local treats since 1948. The view of the Bay of Naples is beyond comparison and the tomato, mozzarella and arugula pizza is to die for. Buon Gusto! Via Roma 34.

Trattoria Garga in Florence

In a 14th century palazzo in the heart of Florence is Trattoria Garga. Colorful rooms, operatic atmosphere and a menu filled with fresh ingredients from Tuscany will inspire you to learn more about Florentine cooking-and you can spend a day at their cooking school (or enroll in an extended cooking tour of the region). It's a favorite of Gucci's Frida Giannini! Via del Moro 48.

Al Moro-Where Rome's Most Fashionable Eat

Recent interviews with Silvia Fendi in Elle and Valentino Garavani in Departures detail the designers' favorite places to eat and shop. On both of their lists was Trattoria Al Moro near the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Established in 1929, it has long been the favorite of Rome's literary, cinematic and fashionable crowd. Valentino recommends the pasta carbonara and of course you must have the Roman traditional antipasto, fried artichokes. Vicolo delle Bollette, 13.

Budget Travel's Editor is Back-and Your Rome Questions are Answered

See Kate Appleton's "First Report" upon her return from Rome. Many Budget Travel readers asked questions about lodging, transport, and dining. Her answers are here, along with many readers' comments. Read all about her pasta all'amatriciana at Da Augusto in Trastevere-a simple but real Roman experience.

Mariska Hargitay's Favorite Meal Ever

Bon Appetit interviewed television star and self-proclaimed foodie Mariska Hargitay about her favorite meals. At the top of her list was a simple meal of caprese salad and seafood at La Conca del Sogno in the little hamlet of Nerano near Positano. To quote Ms. Hargitay: "I took a bite of tomato and suddenly I was eating Italy." The family-owned restaurant is on the beach and has gorgeous views of the sea and nearby islands. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch. Via San Marciano, 9.

Travel and Leisure is All About Italy

This month's Travel and Leisure magazine is full of information about several Italian cities, including Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, Amalfi and even a few out of the way spots. Find out about American Ballet Theatre's newest star, Robert Bolle, and his favorite spots in his hometown, Milan. Travel and Leisure's Italy expert, Valerie Waterhouse, shares some secrets about Venice. Affordable and stylish hotels in Rome and Florence are featured, and an authentic family restaurant in San Cesareo, near Rome, is recommended.

Trattoria Baldovino in Florence

You’ve been walking all day. The line at the Duomo was brutal. You finally made it to Piazza Santa Croce where the sun is shining and the crowds have thinned. But you’re hungry. Starving. Where should you go? There are a million choices-but how do you know the difference between what’s good what’s a tourist trap? Baldovino to the rescue! Located just a few steps to the left of Santa Croce at Via Giuseppe 22 (and 22r), you will find a restaurant and wine bar that’s refreshing in attitude, decor and cuisine. At the trattoria they have traditional Tuscan dishes like ribolitta (vegetable and bread soup) and the enoteca/caffe serves countless salads-perfect for lunch. The restaurant is light and airy, the wine selection is unique, and you can’t beat the location. Baldovino is actually owned by Scottish expatriates, which explains the departure from the typical Tuscan trattoria menu and decor. Buon gusto!

The Roman Chocolate Factory

Since 1923, SAID chocolate has been providing Perugina and other famous Italian chocolatiers with the finest chocolate around. Just in time for Easter, you too can be a part of Italy's chocolate dream when you visit the SAID Antica Fabbrica del Cioccolato in the neighborhood of San Lorenzo (Via Tiburtina 135). Closed in the summer months (no proper Italian would dream of drinking hot chocolate until autumn!) SAID offers tours of its facility as well as countless chocolate products ranging from milk to dark, alcoholic to ricotta filled. There is even a restaurant if you want to make an evening of it!

Beer Tasting in Trastevere

Popular Trastevere watering hole Bir e Fud is having a beer tasting event on Wednesday, March 4th at 7:00 pm. Fantome is a Belgian beer from the town of Soy and is known in by those "in the know" for its seasonally changing ingredients and quirky brewer, Dany Prignon. 4 of his beers will be on tap for the occasion. If you want to be a part of the tasting, be sure to make a reservation by Tuesday as these events are always sold out! Email mirkocaretta@gmail.com or call 001.39.06.5561677.

Chocolate Covered Eggplant by the Cathedral

An Amalfi Coast specialty is chocolate covered eggplant: melanzana in salsa di cioccolato. It sounds unusual but some restaurants have been making this dessert for a century. In particular, Da Gemma in Amalfi, with its terrace set back from the main piazza, is truly an Amalfi Coast classic. You'll love the seafood and regional dishes-and the view of the Duomo. Via Fra Gerardo Sasso 11.

Trattoria Garibaldi in Marsala

Western Sicily is not for the faint of heart. It's remote (although there are direct flights to Palermo from Rome) and English is definitely NOT spoken with regularity. But among the many hidden treasures of western Sicily is the North African cuisine, a remnant of the 250 year Berber occupation of the 10th and 11th centuries. Marsala, a town known also for its wine (more on that later) is home to Trattoria Garibaldi. Here, among the steady crowds in the multicolored rooms, you will find what is arguably the best fish couscous in Sicily. The dish is complicated to make but Trattoria Garibaldi gets it right-and it's hailed as the region's finest. The wine list is nice too, so be sure to pick out something regional-a Donnafugata, perhaps.

Mocambo Bar in Taormina

To see and be seen is always the top priority in Italy, and Taormina is no different. The best place in Taormina for evening people-watching is the Mocambo Bar in the 9th of April Piazza (Piazza IX Aprile). There's live music every night and the iced tea with lemon granita is a must-have. There's even excellent coffee and wine to be had for 3 Euros a glass. The gelato isn't half bad either. Try it on a brioche, the Sicilian way.