I use the Street View function in Google Maps a great deal to help me identify photos I've taken on trips, as well as to sort out other details of those trips. I was disappointed recently when I discovered that Google Maps does not have street view or canal view capabilities for Venice, Italy. Happily, I stumbled upon an Italian web site that has those capabilities for Venice, as well as for locations throughout Italy. The URL for Venice is: http://www.tuttocitta.it/mappa/venezia
The main URL for this service is http://www.tuttocitta.it/, which starts at Rome.
I also find street views very help for planning navigation through complex intersections or on complicated routes in foreign cities. A good example is the figure-eight roundabout near the Siena Ovest exit below the hilltop town of Siena, Italy.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Forget Ristorante Vittoria di Tonello Vania in Venice, Italy
While I had two delicious dishes at Ristorante Bar Vittoria di Tonello Vania in Venice, Italy, the rest of our party had mediocre food and the service was abominably and inexcusably slow.
The restaurant is beautifully situated on the waterfront on Riva degli Schiavoni, not far east of Piazza San Marco. It has nice outdoor tables overlooking the Riva and the water. However, the service there was the slowest during our 16 days in Italy. I had to call the waiter several times to ask him the status of two of our orders. He was completely unapologetic, saying it was not his fault.
The two dishes I had were superb, but the other meals were mediocre at best despite the fact that they were all simple dishes.
Additionally, the mineral water was very expensive - €6 for a large bottle.
I had two dishes:
1. Sarde in Saòr (sweet and sour sardines) for €9. This is a Venetian specialty that has sardines, raisins, pine nuts, white wine, white wine vinegar, olive oil, coriander, cloves, onions, salt and pepper. I loved it.
2. Grilled branzino fish, a popular northern Mediterranean fish for €19.50. This was delicious.
The others in our party had the following dishes, which were mediocre:
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara for €11
- Gnocchi with four cheeses (Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi) for €11
- a cheeseburger for €7
The wine I had was nice - a half bottle of 2011 Cesari Valpolicella Classico for €14. Valpolicella is produced on the eastern side of Lake Garda, which is just east of Venice.
We were each charged a €2.50 cover charge.
The restaurant is beautifully situated on the waterfront on Riva degli Schiavoni, not far east of Piazza San Marco. It has nice outdoor tables overlooking the Riva and the water. However, the service there was the slowest during our 16 days in Italy. I had to call the waiter several times to ask him the status of two of our orders. He was completely unapologetic, saying it was not his fault.
The two dishes I had were superb, but the other meals were mediocre at best despite the fact that they were all simple dishes.
Additionally, the mineral water was very expensive - €6 for a large bottle.
I had two dishes:
1. Sarde in Saòr (sweet and sour sardines) for €9. This is a Venetian specialty that has sardines, raisins, pine nuts, white wine, white wine vinegar, olive oil, coriander, cloves, onions, salt and pepper. I loved it.
2. Grilled branzino fish, a popular northern Mediterranean fish for €19.50. This was delicious.
The others in our party had the following dishes, which were mediocre:
- Spaghetti alla Carbonara for €11
- Gnocchi with four cheeses (Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi) for €11
- a cheeseburger for €7
The wine I had was nice - a half bottle of 2011 Cesari Valpolicella Classico for €14. Valpolicella is produced on the eastern side of Lake Garda, which is just east of Venice.
We were each charged a €2.50 cover charge.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Council's in Bradenton - Great Burgers from a Bygone Era
If you want to have a great burger and step back in time, try Council's Bradenton Recreation. I love it. It has been located on 12th St. West in Bradenton since 1954, and has operated in Bradenton since 1926. It has an old wooden bar where you sit to eat your burger or chili or whatever. It also has a bunch of pool tables. The linoleum is pretty much worn off the floor. When you are served your burger, it's not served on a plate, but on paper napkins; and that burger is dripping with juice. The cook told me that the stove he uses to prepare the burgers is 60 years old.
Council's has a fairly limited menu - hamburgers, double hamburgers, cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chili. I've had the hamburgers a number of times and the chili once. I love 'em both. They also have draft and bottled beer.
Typical of the prices are hamburgers for $4.25 and double hamburgers for $5.50. Draft beers are $1.75 and bottled beers are $2.50.
Council's is located right across from the courthouse in downtown Bradenton, so there are lots of clients associated with the courthouse - lawyers, bail bondsmen, etc. I've had lunch there while on jury duty.
Council's is located at 536 12th St. West in Bradenton.
Council's has a fairly limited menu - hamburgers, double hamburgers, cheeseburgers, double cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chili. I've had the hamburgers a number of times and the chili once. I love 'em both. They also have draft and bottled beer.
Typical of the prices are hamburgers for $4.25 and double hamburgers for $5.50. Draft beers are $1.75 and bottled beers are $2.50.
Council's is located right across from the courthouse in downtown Bradenton, so there are lots of clients associated with the courthouse - lawyers, bail bondsmen, etc. I've had lunch there while on jury duty.
Council's is located at 536 12th St. West in Bradenton.
Ristorante Terrazza Sommariva - Tourist Trap; Terrific Location
Ristorante Terrazza Sommariva in Venice, Italy has a great location on the Grand Canal, a few feet from the Rialto Bridge. While the food was passable - toward the low end of Italian food, the location was terrific. The food was also on the expensive side. We sat at an outdoor table under awning.
Three of us had Piazza Diavola, with tomato, mozzarella, and spicy salami for €10 each. (The following day, we had a better version of the same pizza at another location for €7.50 each.)
I had Pizza Sottobosco with tomato, mozzarella, brie, and mushrooms for €10.50.
We had small bottles of mineral water for €4.50 each. This was the most we paid anywhere in Italy in over 2 weeks of travel.
I had two glasses of Masi Frescaripa Bardolino Classico for €6 per glass. This decent wine is prouced near the town of Bardolino on the eastern side of Lake Garda, a short distance west of Venice.
The bottom line is that I would probably try one of the other waterfront restaurants in the same area.
Three of us had Piazza Diavola, with tomato, mozzarella, and spicy salami for €10 each. (The following day, we had a better version of the same pizza at another location for €7.50 each.)
I had Pizza Sottobosco with tomato, mozzarella, brie, and mushrooms for €10.50.
We had small bottles of mineral water for €4.50 each. This was the most we paid anywhere in Italy in over 2 weeks of travel.
I had two glasses of Masi Frescaripa Bardolino Classico for €6 per glass. This decent wine is prouced near the town of Bardolino on the eastern side of Lake Garda, a short distance west of Venice.
The bottom line is that I would probably try one of the other waterfront restaurants in the same area.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Trattoria del Pennello - Tasty Tuscan Comfort Food
Another restaurant we enjoyed in Italy in July was Trattoria Casa di Dante "del Pennello," also known as Ristorante il Pennello (http://www.ilpennello.it). In particular, I really enjoyed a couple of dishes unique to Tuscany. My choice of this restaurant was based on Trip Advisor reviews.
Our grandson and granddaughter both had ravioli with ricotta, spinach, butter, and sage for €9 each.
Our daughter had spaghetti alla carbonara for €7.
Those were dishes that are available in many parts of Italy. However, I had two terrific Tuscan dishes.
First I had La Carabaccia Soup. It was wonderful. The ingredients include onions, carrots, celery, vegetable broth, extra virgin olive oil, toasted bread, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. (Toasted bread is used in many Tuscan soup recipes as a way to use day-old bread. It works great.) This dish cost €6. I intend to try making it.
As a second course, I had a Tuscan version of pork and beans - Salsicce e Fagioli all'Uccelletto - sausage and cannellini beans "little bird style." Several Internet sources indicate that "little bird style" may refer to the fact that the seasonings used are similar to those used in dishes using small birds. In Italy, Tuscans are sometimes referred to as "Mangiafagioli" (Bean eaters.) This dish was very tasty and cost €12. I also want to try cooking this dish.
For dessert, we all had Tuscan desserts. Three had tiamisu and I had Zuppa Inglese, which is similar to English trifle. Each dessert cost €5.
The wine I chose was a 2009 Brolio Chianti Classico from Barone Ricasoli for €24. It was very nice. The Ricasoli winery is where the modern recipe for Chianti wine was created in the 19th Century by Baron Bettino Ricasoli, the "Iron Baron" who was the second Prime Minister of a reunited Italy. The castle where the winery is located has been owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141 AD. It is the oldest winery in Italy, and the second oldest in the world.
My daughter and I were each given a free glass of limoncello.
Unlike many other local restaurants, there was no cover charge.
Our total bill for four was €90.
The restaurant is located at Via Dante Aleghieri 4, about 3 blocks north of Piazza della Signoria.
Trattoria del Pennello
Our daughter had spaghetti alla carbonara for €7.
Those were dishes that are available in many parts of Italy. However, I had two terrific Tuscan dishes.
First I had La Carabaccia Soup. It was wonderful. The ingredients include onions, carrots, celery, vegetable broth, extra virgin olive oil, toasted bread, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. (Toasted bread is used in many Tuscan soup recipes as a way to use day-old bread. It works great.) This dish cost €6. I intend to try making it.
As a second course, I had a Tuscan version of pork and beans - Salsicce e Fagioli all'Uccelletto - sausage and cannellini beans "little bird style." Several Internet sources indicate that "little bird style" may refer to the fact that the seasonings used are similar to those used in dishes using small birds. In Italy, Tuscans are sometimes referred to as "Mangiafagioli" (Bean eaters.) This dish was very tasty and cost €12. I also want to try cooking this dish.
Inside Trattoria del Pennello
The wine I chose was a 2009 Brolio Chianti Classico from Barone Ricasoli for €24. It was very nice. The Ricasoli winery is where the modern recipe for Chianti wine was created in the 19th Century by Baron Bettino Ricasoli, the "Iron Baron" who was the second Prime Minister of a reunited Italy. The castle where the winery is located has been owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141 AD. It is the oldest winery in Italy, and the second oldest in the world.
My daughter and I were each given a free glass of limoncello.
Unlike many other local restaurants, there was no cover charge.
Our total bill for four was €90.
The restaurant is located at Via Dante Aleghieri 4, about 3 blocks north of Piazza della Signoria.
Friday, September 7, 2012
La Ghiotta Lupa - Tasty Pizza in Pisa
On our outing from Florence to Pisa to visit the Leaning Tower last July, we found a place near Pisa's main train station, Pisa Centrale, to have an inexpensive but tasty lunch. It was La Lupa Ghiotta (http://www.lupaghiotta.com/la-lupa-ghiotta), which means something like "The Ravenous Female Wolf" or "The Greedy Female Wolf." It is a Tavola Calda (Hot Table), a type of Italian restaurant that specializes in casual and cafeteria-style food. La Ghiotta Lupa had a large selection of pizzas cooked on wood-fired ovens, as well as various pastas and sandwiches.
Two of us had Pizza Margherita - with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil for €4 ($5.08). One had Pizza alla Diavola (Devil-Style Pizza) - tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil for €4.50 ($5.67). I had Pizza Sasa - with tomato, mozzarella di bufala, Tuscan salami, sausage, and extra virgin olive oil for €7.50 ($9.45).
La Lupa Ghiotta is located at Viale Francesco Bonaini 113 at the intersection of Via Giacomo Puccini, about two blocks from the train station.
Two of us had Pizza Margherita - with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil for €4 ($5.08). One had Pizza alla Diavola (Devil-Style Pizza) - tomato, mozzarella, prosciutto, mascarpone cheese, and olive oil for €4.50 ($5.67). I had Pizza Sasa - with tomato, mozzarella di bufala, Tuscan salami, sausage, and extra virgin olive oil for €7.50 ($9.45).
La Lupa Ghiotta is located at Viale Francesco Bonaini 113 at the intersection of Via Giacomo Puccini, about two blocks from the train station.
La Lupa Ghiotta
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A Fantastic Avocado, Tomato, & Mango Salsa
I discovered a terrific salsa which I served to friends the other night. When I found it at allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/avocado-tomato-and-mango-salsa/), I was impressed by the nearly 700 superb reviews. It clearly deserves those plaudits.
The recipe is easy to make, but does require a bit of slicing and dicing. The recipe is supposed to serve 6. I doubled it because there were 10 of us. It quickly disappeared even though I had very little of it because I was busy cooking. We served it with tortilla chips.
Below is the recipe for 6
Ingredients
- 1 mango - peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
- 4 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mango, avocado, tomatoed, jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the salt, lime juice, red onion, and olive oil. To blend the flavors, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
The recipe is easy to make, but does require a bit of slicing and dicing. The recipe is supposed to serve 6. I doubled it because there were 10 of us. It quickly disappeared even though I had very little of it because I was busy cooking. We served it with tortilla chips.
Below is the recipe for 6
Ingredients
- 1 mango - peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced
- 4 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
- In a medium bowl, combine the mango, avocado, tomatoed, jalapeño, cilantro, and garlic. Stir in the salt, lime juice, red onion, and olive oil. To blend the flavors, refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.
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