A friend just asked me for some restaurant recommendations for Venice which reminded me of three notable meals.  

First and my recommendation for a splurge is Osteria da Fiore.  It's more than deserving of its Michelin star and the ambiance is slightly formal but cozy. They do amazing things with the local fish and the pasta dishes were some of the best I've had in all of Italy.

Second, the trendy Alle Testiere's focus is also on the local catch. The antipasti were especially interesting and well prepared.  The room is tiny and is always full of visitors from everywhere.  I heard the host speak in at least 4 languages during dinner.

Lastly, Vini da Gigio is the kind of place where I'd be a regular if I lived in Venice. Housed in a rustic inn, the service and ambiance is casual and the menu offers simple fish and meat dishes at (relatively) low prices.  Some tables have views into the kitchen where you can watch them prepare your meal. 

I liked the central, slightly funky neighborhood which is walking distance to Kloof Street, Green Market Square and Bo Kaap neighborhood. The rooms are large and stylish with mini kitchenettes although I had no use for mine (I never do) since there are so many good restaurants in Cape Town, including three at the hotel.  Greens is a popular hangout for locals and it was fully booked the night I ate there.  The menu is simple (pizzas, burgers and salads), ingredients are fresh and the service friendly. The restaurant is tastefully decorated and has a cozy fireplace and lively bar scene.  I was also pleased with their Thai restaurant, Simply Asia, which I ordered from room service. 

The best part of all, the rates are under $200/night.  I'm obviously not alone in my praise for the Hippo; it's doing so well that a second hotel is in the works.

It's easy to get sucked into all the hype of a hot, new hotel and the Gramercy Park Hotel has certainly had its share.  It is a real scene, especially on weekends and I am so over all that.  We happened to check in on a Saturday night and the lobby was full of - I'll be polite here and just say - "girls".  One tried to persuade us to let her up to the roof bar with our key.  No dice. 

I know for some people, that is the draw of a hotel like this but I wanted to stay there because the photographs I had seen made my jaw drop.  It really is drop dead gorgeous.  But it also turned out to be a pretty good hotel as well.  It has a great location right on Gramercy Park (you even get a key to the park, which - ask any New Yorker - is a very big deal). It had the best amenities of any hotel I've ever stayed in: Hamadi hair products and Mario Badescu moisturizer.  And last but not least, I spent all my free time at the private roof club which is open only to guests. I had a lovely brunch in the afternoon and cocktails in the evenings while looking up at the Manhattan sky. 

Set among silvery olive trees, high atop a hill, there are amazing views across the Spoleto Valley. The rooms are rustic and simple as is the restaurant which serves wonderful food with an emphasis on local ingredients. All this and a warm and congenial staff make for a great Italian country getaway in a very unique setting.