TRAVEL ITALY
Bella Italia
Over the many years of travelling the regions of Italy, the Trembath & Taylor team have accumulated a long list of favourite places to stay, eat and drink. From the main cities to small villages, the guiding principle of our selections is not Michelin stars or famous chefs, its about the generosità and ospitalità that truly defines the Italian table. We’ll be happy to make some suggestions for you and arrange a winery visit where possible. We suggest to book all restaurants well in advance.
ARMANDO AL PANTHEON
Rome, Lazio
www.armandoalpantheon.it
Just a few steps from the Pantheon, you shouldn’t go to Rome and not eat at Armando! Open ‘working hours’ which means they are closed Saturday night and all day Sunday, its a small dining room so you must book. Classic Roman dishes and a very cool wine list with a combination of new and classic, leaning to sustainable/low intervention.
OSTERIA VEGLIO
Fraz. Annunziata (La Morra), Piedmont
www.osteriaveglio.it
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Even on a short trip to the Langhe we usually manage to eat here twice. Very good food and a small but well chosen wine list with plenty of Chinato to finish. In summer the terrace is open with great views across the vineyards.
OSTERIA LE PANZANELLE
Lucarelli (Radda in Chianti), Tuscany
www.lepanzanelle.it
Closed January, February and Mondays
This small osteria doubles in size when the courtyard is in action but you need to book as its always busy. Great Tuscan food and a small but great selection of local wines. The fresh pasta is fantastic and its pretty common to run into a winemaker or two.
LE VOLPI E L’UVA
Florence, Tuscany
www.levolpieluva.com
Open daily from noon 9pm
This is one of my favourite wine bars. Owner Ciro Beligni selects the wines, seeking out new and up and coming wineries from all over Italy. He’s a great friend of Piero at Poggerino and together they make a Chianti Classico selection for the bar. The selection of cheeses follows the same principle, all from small artisanal cheese makers. The only hot dishes are crostone, like an open toasted sandwich, and they are incredible. Theres only a small number of seats inside and a dozen tables outside so go early, and make sure you say ciao from us.
LA SUBIDA
Cormons, Friuli
www.lasubida.it
The Sirk family operate one of our favourite places in Italy. There’s rooms to stay, a trattoria and the restaurant. We love it all. The food is very local and so is the wine list, with plenty of old bottles from all the best names in Friuli, many with age. Just put yourself in the hands of sommelier Mitja Sirk, and dont forget to ask to visit their acetaia, home to some of the best vinegar you’ll ever try.
VINI DA GIGIO
Venice
www.vinidagigio.it
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Established in 1981 and still family run with the second and third generation working together, this has been one of our favourite places for many years. Great Venetian dishes and a superb wine list.
