Italy - Early October

[Kbb]

Traveling to Italy in early October.  Will have 5 days.  Think Rome then Naples or Florence.  Probably no time for both.  Any suggestions for good cigar spots, resturants, or wine? Already have museums, art, architecture, and history covered.  Looking more for local flavor. Any input welcome.  Thanks in advance.

[Fuzz]

I remember one dinner in Rome (food was sub-par unfortunately), drinking a fantastic bottle of wine, a Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso. I think it was made by Terredora, but I'm not sure any more. I just remember going out that night, looking in every bottleshop for that particular wine, trying to find a case to send home. Finally found the specific vintage, but then realised that the cost to send it home was twice the price of the case.

[N_mirg]

I would highly recommend Florence over Naples. If you're looking for cigar shops your best bet in Rome is the LCDH, Fincato which I believe is near the Pantheon and in Florence the only place that sells quality sticks would be Tabacchi Cavini on Via Dei Neri 41, they always had a good and plentiful selection of singles.

As for restaurants I'll only be of use in Florence because I didn't spend much time in Rome.

Trattoria Cammillo - Great for dinner, very authentic and I was always the only American when I visited but they were still welcoming.

Simbiosi - Really good pizza, waiters always spoke good English but always seemed like it was packed with Italians

Trattoria Mario - One of the best places for lunch. Nothing fancy but a very cool, very local environment.

Trattoria da Benvenuto - Another great spot for dinner and it's right by Tabacchi Cavini.

Konnubio - Pretty upscale and pricey but certainly worth it. Good for dinner or lunch.

Sandwichic - The best Panini I had in my 5 month stay there. Just ask for their most popular Panini and you won't be disappointed.

Also remember to always make a reservation for dinner. You may not need to but I noticed the staff always treated me better if I did.

[Bunner]

I was in Rome and Florence in May. Finding cigars is not as easy as one may think. The shops mentioned above are good. IMO Forget about the LCDH in Rome hours are spotty at best. 

Absolutely loved the old city of Florence. I would suggest you try the Lampre Dotto from Dal Barone its a Florence specialty and despite what you may think its pretty good.  The market in the Piazza del Mercato Centrale has some great restaurants. I would suggest Zaza its really good imo. I would steer clear of more touristy places ...finding really good food in Florence is fairly easy.

 

Rome: the whole city is crazy busy, it's FULL of tourist trap restaurants, and the good restaurants require reservations in advance (by good i don't mean expensive). I ate at a small pasta place called Pasta Imperiale where the pasta was actually fresh and it was cheap to eat there. VERY good if you are looking for a quick cheap bite.

Have fun and enjoy the food!

[Philc2001]

I second the Florence over Naples recommendation. If you find yourself near the Vatican in Rome, look up a little hole in wall pizza joint called Pizza Rustica. The best pizza I ever had, bar none. The place is tiny, it has 2 little tables, and the middle-age lady runs the place, makes the pizza, and handles it all by herself. Well worth the visit. 

Also, do visit the castel San Angelo as the sun is setting, the bridge in front of it with the angels is breathtaking in the setting sun. 

Italy is not particularly cigar friendly, but then not many places are these days.

[Ribeye]

The Hotel Hassler rooftop restaurant overlooking Rome.  I haven't been there since the currency changed, but it was a meal to be remembered for a lifetime.  

http://www.hotelhasslerroma.com/en/restaurants-bars/imago

[Kbb]

Thank you everyone for your input.  I really do appreciate your individual "best experiences" there! 

[joe33]

Rome - the only place with a decent selection of cigars is faincato.

as for resturants - http://www.anticofornoroscioli.it/en/  really great pizza

- http://www.hosteriagrappolodoro.it/

Florence - i second the Central market

- http://www.illatini.com/en/  one of the best for steaks

[Mr. Japan]

If you drop in Napoli and i'm around give me a message.... you will not miss Rome or Florence.

[Kbb]

As stated before I really appreciate the input from members.  Really goes a long way to help me out.

So my plans finalized with a day in Pisa, 2 days in Florence, and 2 days in Rome.  I realize 2 weeks would be a better experience, I just don't have the time since this trip will be an add on to a week in Ireland.  I do have a few more questions if anyone has an opinion.  I appreciate the offer Mr. Japan, but it appears Napoli may not be in the cards for this trip due to time.

- It appears that reservations are a good idea for dinner.  How far in advance do they typically need to be made?  I assume that in a few weeks things might be slowing down from a tourist stand point?  

- The wife and I plan to take a Chianti region tour/wine tasting.  Anyone have an experience with a local operator they recommend?  Any estates to try and see or better yet, avoid?  Renting a car myself will not work for this trip.

Thanks again in advance!

[madandana]

Very Jealous. Have fun. The cool thing about Italy is pretty much any place you walk into and order the house wine and it very good.

Take a right on the main rd by the Leaning tower of Pisa and immediately to your right is a great lunch place. I'll try to find the name of it. Great pizza and craft beer.

[cigaraholic]

I was just in Florence a few days ago ?

Found the Italian regional at

Tabaccheria

Sotto Portici

Piazza Della Repubblica, 24r

Very nice man there...I gave him a BCJ and he gave me an 898....?

[Ethernut]

Timely thread as we going to Rome/Lake Como/Athens/Santorini in late April. Still in the planning stage.

[Danimalia]

On 8/17/2016 at 7:11 AM, joe33 said:

Rome - the only place with a decent selection of cigars is faincato.

as for resturants - http://www.anticofornoroscioli.it/en/  really great pizza

- http://www.hosteriagrappolodoro.it/

Florence - i second the Central market

- http://www.illatini.com/en/  one of the best for steaks

I second Il Latini in Florence. Great steaks, and I loved all the appetizers they bring out too. Prosciutto, pate, etc.  Maybe a little touristy, but so what, I had a wonderful time. I loved Florence, in general. The entire city is like one big, living museum. Great food, beautiful art, easy and manageable to get around. I can't say enough about Florence.

 

Don't have any recs for Rome, as I was sick when I was there.