Fred Plotkin takes us beyond the traditional tourist experience and lures us to special places, whether in big cities or out-of-the-way villages. Under his discerning eye, we learn about the food, wines, local bakeries, olive oil distilleries, cheeses, markets, restaurants, and best kept secrets of Italy's culinary world. Lovingly drawn portraits of the people who make world-famous regional specialities, and local history make each village, town, and city come alive.
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From Library Journal
Eating as the rationale for traveling through Italy?where food and culture are so naturally bound together?is the theme of Italophile Plotkin's latest book. His ardent admiration for the country and its cuisine is evident in his personalized tour through the nation's 22 regions, including the islands of Sicily and Sardenia. Guiding us through a land bountiful and diverse in terrain, history, and tradition, he explores each area's distinctive foods and wines. When not traveling, Plotkin lectures and writes about things Italian and has penned The Authentic Pasta Book and Opera 101. He uses his extensive knowledge to create a catalog of helpful restaurant reviews, recipes (indexed), a glossary of food terms, profiles of cities and their local histories (indexed), and anecdotes that blend into an informative, entertaining, comprehensive guide. This selection is a treat for any travel collection.?David Nudo, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
In this exhaustive guide, Plotkin provides travelers to Bella Italia with information on the best places to eat in 300 cities and villages. Practical advice, such as making reservations, goes hand-in-hand with colorful descriptions of the Italian ristorante, trattoria, pizzeria, friggitoria, and other types of eating establishments. Plotkin is particularly adept at depicting the cultural climate of each region, listing appealing towns a traveler must not pass by and those area culinary specialities to be savored. Whether one desires the address of a fine butcher shop, has a hankering for pastries and an espresso, or seeks a dining experience fit for a king, these listings more than fit the bill. When seeking out excellent culinary fare, doubtless, the true gourmet will be undaunted by this weighty tome. Alice Joyce
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
The reason so many people around the world profess a fondness for Italian food is that they have been able to eat a facsimile of it in their hometowns. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The reason so many people around the world profess a fondness for Italian food is that they have been able to eat a facsimile of it in their hometowns. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By anonymous
Format:Paperback
I kept buying travel books for Italy, looking for something but not quite knowing what -- until I discovered this book. It's not just a list of restaurants or a list of hotels -- you can get that in any travel book, and feel uneasy, because you can't help wondering if anyone really stayed at the place or ate the place. Plotkin's book is about the whole experience of going to Italy, with details about the specialties of each region, so that if you go into ANY restaurant anywhere in Italy, you will know what to look for.
At the same time, everything is put into a historical and cultural context, so you know what you're eating and where it's from.
So many travel books feel like they were written for the sake of writing a travel book. That is, they give the impression of a squad of writers dispatched to a location, with an expense account and a limited number of days, who have to inspect so many hotels and restaurants and write up a summary. Recommendations seem arbitrary.
THIS book seems more like a sincere journey of exploration that happened to turn into a travel book. And Plotkin is the ideal guide, because he lives there, knows the country, loves it . . . and yet he's American, so he has an American perspective. He's just one guy, so you'll inevitably, in practice, find that you disagree with some of his choices. So what? That's part of learning how to use the book. At least with this book, you know they really ARE his choices. And they're informed choices.
At the same time, everything is put into a historical and cultural context, so you know what you're eating and where it's from.
So many travel books feel like they were written for the sake of writing a travel book. That is, they give the impression of a squad of writers dispatched to a location, with an expense account and a limited number of days, who have to inspect so many hotels and restaurants and write up a summary. Recommendations seem arbitrary.
THIS book seems more like a sincere journey of exploration that happened to turn into a travel book. And Plotkin is the ideal guide, because he lives there, knows the country, loves it . . . and yet he's American, so he has an American perspective. He's just one guy, so you'll inevitably, in practice, find that you disagree with some of his choices. So what? That's part of learning how to use the book. At least with this book, you know they really ARE his choices. And they're informed choices.
By digitpx
Format:Paperback
with this book in 2002. The best recommendations seemed to be the first few listings in any section. Things change so make sure you call ahead of time. Don't hesitate to buy this book!
By Kate McGee
Format:Paperback
I am over forty and lost my notes so only remembered one restaurant and wine recommendation when I went to Florence. But oh, the Vin y Pan did not disappoint! If all the recommendations are as good, you will be buying the resource that assures an absolutely satisfying trip to Tuscany.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately dissapointing
My wife and I have traveled to Italy for several years, and spend several weeks touring in an automobile. Read more
Published on Dec 24 2001 by SkyKing
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hands down, my favorite travel book ever!
I can honestly say that this book MADE our trip to Italy. We found ourselves visiting cities because we couldn't bear to miss a restaurant Fred recommended (San Remo, for example),... Read more
Published on Aug 28 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than a guide, a window to culture
I wouldn't travel to Italy without consulting this book! The approach is comprehensive and the information invaluable if you take Italian culture and eating seriously. Read more
Published on Aug 5 2000 by Re-reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buon Viaggio with Fred
My husband and I have had, along with friends, four month-long trips to Italy in the last ten years. Read more
Published on Feb 29 2000 by Barbara Cammarata
5.0 out of 5 stars
A reader from Sydney
This book is simply outstanding. I have travelled throughout Italy over a period of 20 years and enjoyed many of the restaurants and bars mentioned in Mr Plotkin's book, before... Read more
Published on Feb 29 2000 by Patrick Sneyd
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ciao Fred
To the editors: I'm an old friend of Fred, this is the only way I found to try to reach him. Please, pass him those lines, thanks. Read more
Published on Dec 30 1999 by "ura"
5.0 out of 5 stars
The bible to gourmet travel in Italy
This wonderful insight into the magic of Italian cuisine was definitely a major highlight of our recent trip to Italy. Read more
Published on Oct 12 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Priceless
My favorite book on travel in Italy. Mr. Plotkin helps me see and taste Italy the way I like to: independently, but with tips to lead me to the places that would be my favorites if... Read more
Published on Sep 19 1999
3.0 out of 5 stars
now good, now bad
We have had some good experiences using this book as well as some indifferent ones. This is hardly Plotkin's fault since the quality of restaurants changes rapidly. Read more
Published on Jun 14 1999
3.0 out of 5 stars
now good, now bad
We have had some good experiences using this book as well as some indifferent ones. This is hardly Plotkin's fault since the quality of restaurants changes rapidly. Read more
Published on Jun 14 1999
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