Italy (Milan/Lucca/Bologna/Venice)

[Steve]

Hey everyone, my wife and I are heading to northern Italy later this year and will be visiting Milan, Lake Como, Lucca, Bologna, and Venice.

I've been in touch with Simone (Pizza Party oven manufacturer) and hope to see him while we're in Bologna.

So, my question to the group is pizzeria recommendations.

Places already on my list are Pizzeria de Felice (Lucca) and L'antica Pizzeria da Michele (Bologna).

Any other recommendations? Not necessarily just pizza, but great Italian food too.

Ciao! 

[rizzler]

worst pizza I may have ever eaten was in Milan - I will try to remember the name for you. Was well reviewed too. Just so you avoid it (or try it, if you're adventurous)

[scott r]

Lol!  I have to admit I had some pizza in Milan that was disappointing.   I think that for those norther regions there is probably great pizza popping up now, just as it is across the USA in cities where it wasnt typically great. 

Steve, this sounds like an awesome vacation!!!  You should for sure look in to each regional specialty when traveling through Italy.  In Milan the things that blew me away were Ossobuco and risotto, both things that city is known for. 

[rizzler]

i dont know if you're a sports fan or not - even if you're not it's really worth seeing the san siro (and casa milan) - do a tour of both.
it's old and beat up a bit, but it's one of the world's most iconic stadiums. it's wildly impressive (even moreso if you catch an AC Milan match)

[Monkeyboy]

Just got back from that region -
Did not eat as much pizza as I wanted...but.

Berbere pizza has about 15 locations in Italy (Rome, Milan, Bologna), we really enjoyed their pies.  Sourdough type dough - a bit on the denser side, but delicious.
I missed L'Antica Da Michele in Florence (as well as Gusta Pizza) but Giotto was excellent.

Bologna
In Bologna - directly across from the train station - there is a great Mortadella sandwich shop...just next to it is a large area with seating and their menu is from all of the adjacent shops.  Mortadella + Strachiatella + pistachio = yum.
Mo Mortadella Lab is highly rated but we did not go there.

Missed our dinner reservation at Trattoria Bertozzi

Otherwise we did not have any superb meals in Bologna.

Lookup pizza joints for each town you are in - there are lots of articles / tripadvisor ratings to narrow your list.  The best ones get uber busy - so maybe try them for lunch or make a reservation.

[Steve]

Thanks, I appreciate the tips!