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Trattoria da Leo, Lucca
In Italy, a good bit of advice when it comes to eating out is to avoid the large touristy piazzas, occasionally though this rule doesn’t isn’t applicable and in this particular instance it couldn’t be further from the truth. Trattoria da Leo is a small family run operation just off one of the main piazzas. Serving traditional Lucchesi classics, plus a few Italian favourites, it is a great place to mix with the locals and sample some amazing traditional fare.
Pit Cue Co, Southbank, London
Street food is finally starting to make its mark on London and with the growing popularity comes a wider range of food to choose from. The Pit Cue Co is the latest food wagon to gain major applauds and its easy to see why. Specialising in no nonsense American BBQ food, it is a hickory smoked, slow-cooked meat lovers paradise.
Osteria del Sole, Bologna
In England we generally associate ‘bring your own’ with restaurants that don’t have an alcohol licence. In Osteria del Sole, a family run restaurant that has been open since the 1940′s, it’s the other way round. Here you supply the food and they supply the drink, all of which are alcoholic I might add.
Osteria dell’Orsa, Bologna
It seems like this cosy little osteria is one of the most universally loved places I have ever read about, sadly I don’t think I can agree. It’s certainly cheap and cheerful, and in its defence the staff and atmosphere are great too, but if your’re looking for good Bolognese food, I would recommend paying a little bit extra and going somewhere else.
Roma Sparita, Trastevere, Rome
A few year’s ago this place was a closely guarded local secret, hidden away in the corner of a secluded courtyard, only a select few people were lucky enough to know about it, but all that has changed thanks to an American food writer called Anthony Bourdain. Since he featured the restaurant on his TV show, No Reservations, the place has become a tourist Mecca and they all go for the one thing, the best bowl of Cacio e Pepe in Rome.
To Steki, Bologna
As I recently discovered on a trip to Bologna, if you’re looking for something to eat after 10pm you’ll have a very hard time finding anywhere that will serve you. Luckily after a lot of searching I stumbled across To Steki, a Greek style taverna that stays open until the early hours. What was more surprising though was the standard and the price of the food that was being served. I realise that eating Greek food when you are in the home of Italian cuisine is somewhat sacrilegious, but the meal actually turned out to be one of the best of the entire trip.
Evi’s Greek Food, Hackney, London
Despite the large Greek community in London, somehow this hasn’t translated into a wealth of good quality Greek restaurants. Apart from Lemonia, a solid but overpriced Greek-Cypriot restaurant in Primrose Hill there really aren’t any places worth a particular mention. I’ve found that if you want the best Greek food you’re better off checking out the various London markets, here you can find far better food and at a fraction of the cost. My favourite, is a small stall on Chatsworth Road Market specialising in freshly made Greek pies.
Forno Roscioli, Centro Storico, Rome
There are two Roscioli’s in Rome, one is an upmarket restaurant selling some of the best, most innovative food in the city, while the other is a slightly more modest forno (bakery), which sells breads, pizzas, pastries and at lunchtime some amazing sandwiches, Roman pasta dishes and typical salads of the region.
Asakusa, Camden, London
London is awash with Japanese restaurants but they generally fall into one of two categories. They are either extremely expensive or they are one of the many characterless, uninspiring chains currently taking over the high streets. A good Japanese meal is actually surprisingly hard to come across in London unless you are willing to pay for it, but thankfully there are still a select few places, if you look hard enough, that sell incredible Japanese food and at a reasonable cost.
Patogh, Edgware Road, London
Located just a few paces from west London’s bustling Edgware Road, hidden down a characterful side street, Patogh is a tiny little hole-in-the-wall Iranian restaurant selling some of the finest kebabs, grilled meats and authentic meze dishes I’ve ever tasted. Downstairs seating is very limited and bookings are only taken on the day, but turn up without one at your own risk, you could be in for a long wait.
L’enoteca Cul de Sac, Centro Storico, Rome
Italian Enoteche, known in English as wine bars, are some of Rome’s most lively places to spend an evening, and out of all the ones I’ve visited, this is the best. Located just around the corner from Piazza Navona, Cul de Sac boasts a wine list in the region of 1500 different wines. The vast selection which covers the walls and fills the cellar is truly phenomenal, and the accompanying food menu is very impressive too.
Il Pizzaiolo del Presidente, Centro Storico, Naples
Yet another pizzeria in Naples’s Centro Storico district, Pizzeria del Presidente would be a heavily revered restaurant anywhere else in the world but on this particular stretch of road it is simply one of many places serving incredible pizza at a ridiculously low price.
Malletti Pizzeria, Soho, London
Serving up a small slice of Rome in London’s west-end, Malletti’s was dreamed up by a chef from Naples back in the mid 90’s called Antonio Malletti. Not particularly keen on his native Neapolitan style of wood-fired pizza, he believed the Roman interpretation was more appealing to customers because it was so easy to eat and he liked the idea of having the wide selection of different flavours to choose from, and I have to say that I agree.
Franco Manca Pizzeria, Brixton, London
Since opening in 2008 few restaurants in London have created as much buzz as Franco Manca. The first pizzeria in London to really deliver a quality Neapolitan style pizza, it is obvious the people behind the place care about the food they are serving and unlike other pizza places in London, here the emphasis is on quality not quantity. Always busy but worth the wait, this is without a doubt the best place for pizza in London.
