Hungry Times Two

There's the bottle of Incantate red wine on my sideboard, the Venetian mask resting on top of my dresser, a few Euro coins mixed in my jewelry box,  and a linen wrap dangling from my closet door knob -- nice little reminders of an unforgettable trip to Italy My bags may be unpacked and I may have returned to work and the day-to-day routine, but much of my heart and thoughts remain dedicated to the fine occupation that is travel. A co-worker told me before I left for two weeks in Italy with my mother that she loves travel for the perspective, to know that there are other places out there, with customs, languages and landscapes that are so different. I found that in two weeks, traveling tested me - my routine, my expectations, my tolerance for crowds and noise, my tastebuds -- and I loved it. First admission: this trip was on a tour with 31 strangers and my mom, via the Globus tour group. We ate together, took ...

So there's a sudden realization that in a mere 10 days my mom and I head to ITALY. Woot, woot! With that comes the sad sadness that is my lack of planning - I have only one restaurant recommendation for Florence. I'm calling out on the Foodies 911 phone line! If  you or ANYONE you know with good food palates knows a damn thing about great restaurants in the following cities: please steer them to me. - Rome - Orvieto -Montecatini - Venice - Assisi - Capri -Sorrento Otherwise, I am bound to troll the Internets for suggestions -- possibly misguided and shady ones -- or my Lonely Planet Guide will be my sole direction. Calling all foodies...do that voodoo that you do. Thanks!

Gratzi in advance, y'all - My Mother Dear and I head to Italy next month for a 12-day whirlwind trip through Italy. Venice, Rome, Pisa, Florence, Assisi, Pompeii and Capri - we're coming for you!