Italicious

Lazio

Hostaria Abruzzese Pizzeria – Via Tripolitania, 82 Roma

During our years in Rome this was our spot, close to home, good food and not too expensive. The antipasto della casa is eccezionale, served with a warm pizza bianca, made in house, prosciutto crudo al punto di coltello, fresh mozzarella, salami and pecorino abruzzesi and tempura fried vegetables. The primi are typically Roman, with classics like l’amatriciana and cacio pepe, my favorite has always been the tagliolini ai funghi porcini, and my husband’s is le mezze maniche alla checca, short tubular pasta with, tossed in a fresh tomato sauce and completed with basil, fresh mozzarella and a sprinkling of parmigiano reggiano. The tagliata or the scamorza alla griglia are both excellent secondi and there is usually freshly baked apple strudel for dessert. After a 5 year absence the owner and staff still remember us and what our favorite dishes are.

Trattoria “Da Oio” a Casa Mia – Via Galvani, 43 Roma

Typical Roman style, rude waiters, odd offal served in creative ways and Lazio fans being escorted out of the door with a push. This place is an experience to say the least. La pajata, la coratella, il quinto quarto in Rome’s old meat packing district.

“Sora Margherita” Associazione Culturale – Piazza delle Cinque Scole, 30 Roma

Shhhhh it is a secret and you won’t necessarily be able to find this hole in the wall in Rome’s Jewish Ghetto. Not technically (or legally) a restaurant, this cultural association will serve some of Rome’s most typical dishes, but without a menu, so picky eaters steer clear.

Checco Er Carettiere – Via Benedetta, 10 Roma

In the heart of Trastevere Checco Er Carettiere is an establishment, you can choose between the ristorante, which has higher prices, but a more elaborate menu or the osteria who’s menu is limited, but the prices and portions a little smaller. They serve the best amatriciana in Rome and the carciofi alla giudea are perfectly crispy. There is also a pasticceria and gelateria nooked in between the ristorante and the osteria, it is number 2 on my list of the best coffee in Rome.

La Scala – Piazza della Scala, 60 Roma

When I was working in Trastevere this was the place that I brought American clients who were in Rome for the day. The atmosphere is lovely, and I can’t say that I know much about the menu because I was faithful to one dish everytime I dined there. The tagliolini al cacio e pepe with zucchini flowers and fresh pachino tomatoes.

Da Lucia – Vicolo del Mattonato, 2b Roma

Thursdays and gnocchi, they are fluffy little clouds. Not much else to add.

La Carbonara – Via Panisperna, 214 Roma

Delicious and very popular restaurant in the Rione Monti. The pastas are wonderful and you can choose between fresh pasta or pasta asciutta for you meal.

Ristorante Da Fortunato – Via del Pantheon 55 Roma

It could be a tourist trap, with its proximity to the Pantheon, but the food is good, a little expensive, but good especially for the area of town it is in.

L’Asino d’Oro – Via del Boschetto, 73 Roma

This is breath of fresh air in the land of amatriciana and cacio e pepe, a very innovative menu in the heart of Monti.

Fraschetta del Mare – Corso del Popolo, 38 Anzio

A hole in the wall in the port of Anzio, expect the restaurant to be packed and to wait for a table, this is not the type of place that takes reservations. There is a fixed menu for 16 euros a person serving you what was brought in off of the boat that morning. You won’t find the choice fish that the more expensive restaurants scoop up, this is what is left behind and nothing to frown upon. If I was still in Rome I would eat there on a weekly basis.

Ferrari – Via XX Settembre, 20 Cervara di Roma

Hard to reach on a hilltop town outside of Rome, but the views and the food are worth the hike.

I Tinelloni– Via dei Tinelloni, 10 Monte Porzio Catone

If you order the bucatini all’amatriciana they bring you a bib, I don’t think I need to add another word.

Ada 2000 – Via Marittima II Fossanova

It almost seems like the size of a calico field, huge tables, kids running around and very little atmosphere, but the food makes up for it all. Fresh ingredients and wonderful pastas.

Campania

SUD Ristorante – Via Santi Pietro e Paolo 8, Quarto (NA)

Napoli Mia – Riviera di Chiaia 269, 80121 Napoli

Oasi Sapori Antichi – Via Provinciale, Vallesacarda, 83050 Vallesaccarda (AV) 

‘A Paranza – Traversa Dragone, 2 Atrani

Il Gastronomo – Via Nazionale, 77A Montemarano

Cafasso (Pizzeria) – Via Giulio Cesare, 156, Napoli

Pizzeria Giuliano (Pizzeria) – CalataTrinita’ Maggiore, Napoli

Gorizia (Pizzeria) – Via Bernini, 29 Napoli

La Notizia (Pizzeria) – Via Caravaggio, 53 Napoli

Marco’s – Via Ascensione, 3/a Napoli

Basilicata

La Talpa – Via Fiorentini, 167 Matera

Borgo Antico – Via Minghetti, 17 – Rione Terravecchia, Pisticci (MT)

Puglia

L’Antica Locanda – Via Santo Spirito, 49, 70015 Noci (BA)

Locanda di Nunno – Via Balilla, 2, 70053 Canosa di Puglia (BA)

Trattoria Gatto Rosso – Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 2, 74123 Taranto

Trattoria Gesù Cristo – Via Cesare Battisti, 6, 74121 Taranto

Al Canale – Discesa Vasto, 74100 Taranto

Al Faro – Via della Pineta, 3/5, 74100 Taranto

La Barca – Via Litoranea Salentina | Marina di Pulsano, 74122 Taranto, Italia

Ristorante Spaghetteria delle Ceramiche – Viale Gramsci 111 74023 Grottaglie (TA)

Notti Bianchi – Via Arcidiacono – F. Zaccaria, 47 (nel Centro storico di Ostuni) 72017 –  Ostuni (BR)

Osteria degli Spiriti – Via Cesare Battisti, 4 Lecce

L’Antro – Via Mesole 6, Crispiano (TA)

Trattoria al Gambero – Piazza Nazario Sauro, 19, Porto Cesareo (LE)

Cibus – Via Chianche di Scarano, 7 Ceglie Messapica (BR)

Macelleria Ricci – Piazza Plebescito, 10 Martina Franca (TA)

Chi Va Piano – Via Monache, 15, 70017 Putignano (BA)

Rotarott’ – Località La Torretta, Centro Incoronata, 71100 Foggia

Sicilia

Leon D’Oro – Viale Emporium, 102 San Leone (Agrigento)

‘A Cannata – Via Umberto I, 13 Santa Marina Salina Lingua (Isole Eolie)

Osteria da Mariano – Vicolo Zuccolà, 9 Siracusa

Antica Focacceria San Francesco – Via A. Paternostro, 58 Palermo

Cantina Siciliana – Via Giudecca, 32 Trapani

Abruzzo

Da Giocondo – Via Suffragio, 2 Rivisondoli

La Conca alla Vecchia Posta – Via Caldora, 12 L’Aquila

Toscana

Le Lance – Via Giuseppe Mantellini, 2 Fiesole

I Riffaioli – Via del Ponte alle Riffe,  4R Firenze

Mario – Via della Rosia, 2 R Firenze

Casa del Vino (Enoteca) – Via dell’Ariento, 16 R Firenze

Le Volpi e L’Uva (Enoteca) – Piazza de’ Rossi, 1 R Firenze

Il Santo Bevitore – Via Santo Spirito 66 r, Firenze

Il Contadino – Via Palazzuolo, 71/R Firenze

Vinandro – Piazza Mino da Fiesole, 33 Fiesole

La Vecchia Cucina di Soldano – Via Pomeria, 23 Prato

Lombardia

Al Garghet – Via Selvanesco, 36 Milano

Da Rita e Antonio – Via Giacomo Puccini, 2, Milano

Testina – Via Abbadesse, 19, 20124 Milano

Veneto

La Bitta – Dorsoduro, 2753 A-Calle Lunga San Barnaba Venezia

Osteria di Santa Marina – Campo Santa Marina, Venezia

All’Aciugheta – Castello 4357, Campo San Filippo e Giacomo, Venezia