I’ve tried this google search “the best in” approach and am hoping it produces good results. I’ve cross referenced this with my list of restaurants from Italians I meet (I just ask them where they are from and to recommend a place I likely wouldn’t find on my own) and it has seemed to work.
Another strategy many Italians recommend is to just drive 20-30km outside the town you are staying in and stop at the first place that is packed with cars. Ask them to feed you whatever dishes they think are best. I’ve had 15-20 Italian overseas independently describe some process like this. Having never tried it, I wonder if anyone has had any experience dropping in like this. We are planning to go ER, the lakes and Piemonte in October.
Thanks for all, Jen!!! I will put my head together with my cousin and start to make final-ish decisions. I think we had to book Hosteria Giusti as a destination from Parma because of our schedule and their summer closing. We will make it work. Also, Piacenza is on our map for sure!
We will undoubtedly do some stopping to eat where we are, but would like to book the places we don’t want to miss @tigerjohn!
going to places that are well patronized and eating dishes that are recommended is definitely a great strategy although Ive noticed that often the discussions between waiter and patron are quite long!
A lot of the original Michelin red guide picks in Italy (not stars) were basically businessman’s lunch places in smallish towns. You would figure these guys would know where to go and follow suit. Im not sure though how this strategy works when driving on the Autostrada or in a heavily touristic area. In the latter, there are risks if you dont have a res or that you are hitting a tourist spot. Probably a certain amount of familiarity with the locality helps!
We’ll be going! @JenKalb was very encouraging, so we definitely have put it on our map! We’re still a bit uncertain about where to eat after…sure we will work it out, though, and will report back.
If you have a car, a neat place near Parma to visit is Torrechiara castle. Look it up - its not touristy and quite remarkable. Inside the little hamlet in front of the castle you will find a little place called Ristorante Taverna del Castello - local salumi etc are phenomenal. Great wine shop too.
Nearby is a small but worthwhile museum at Magnani Rocca Foundation.
We sent earlier this summer - the mosaics are stunning.
The rest of the town is just ok but definitely worth going to see those mosaics!
San Marino was cute too!
Yeah, we are going to see mosaics. Thanks for the write-up! We are not staying in Ravenna overnight, so we are planning an early lunch into the town at Ristorante La Cucoma. I still have to call for the reservation, but guess on the random Tuesday we are planning, it shouldn’t be a problem! Opting, in this case, for a restaurant that’s focus is fish (alas no pork knuckle), but figure almost everywhere else in the region, I will get my fill!
Thanks for the tip @JenKalb! I looked at that restaurant you went to, but unfortunately it is closed on Tuesdays (when we are going to be in Ravenna). I will look for the fish soup anyway.
It’s a takeaway spot with two locations in Bologna and specializes in mortadella sandwiches on rosetta rolls. The great part is that for a euro upcharge you can choose different types of mortadella – black pig from Nebrodi, wild boar from Norcia, Sicilian donkey, and more. (Also truffle options, but both were sold out when when we went.)
