I discovered Cinque Terre Residence in March 2005 and have been staying here at least once a year ever since. Normally, I come here with my wife (for our anniversary trip) in August each year. We have come to love the laid-back ambiance of the locale, the patio with an amazing view and the super-clean and air-conditioned rooms. We’ve always reserved the apartment with a kitchen, because I like to cook. This last time here I cooked every night with fresh ingredients purchased in the village. The staff (Carla, Piero and Davide) are wonderful and a pleasure to deal with.
The modern, purpose-built collections of rooms are located high on a hill overlooking the town of Riomaggiore. Getting to the Cinque Terre Residence is a bit of a challenge, but no more so than any other place in town. I suggest taking the green shuttle bus from the bottom of town (at the end of the tunnel from the train station). The shuttle bus can drop you off above the Cinque Terre Residence. From there it is a simple downhill walk to your room.
Getting to the town center takes five minutes and it is all downhill, however, it is all up hill with 132 steps on the return trip. You’ve just to prepare yourself for that (or take the green shuttle bus back up by way of the road).
I am a veteran traveler to the Cinque Terre region and have stayed in other towns and other hotels and rooms in Riomaggiore. If you are up to the challenge of walking around in the five villages of the Cinque Terre, I can recommend no better place to lay your head than the Cinque Terre Residence.
Charlotte and I are vacationing in the Cinque Terre. We love this place and seem to come back year after year. There are many places to stay while in the “five villages,” but we enjoy Riomaggiore the best. Several years ago I discovered The Cinqueterre Residence, a simple, family-owned and modern group of rooms and apartments on a hill above the town center. Our apartment has a simple dual rangetop, frig, microwave and comes stocked with pots, pans and dishes.
So, last night I cooked a meal, and got Charlotte to shoot some video… here is my PRIMI PIATTI course.
Charlotte and I are vacationing in the Cinque Terre. We love this place and seem to come back year after year. There are many places to stay while in the “five villages,” but we enjoy Riomaggiore the best. Several years ago I discovered The Cinqueterre Residence, a simple, family-owned and modern group of rooms and apartments on a hill above the town center. Our apartment has a simple dual rangetop, frig, microwave and comes stocked with pots, pans and dishes.
So, last night I cooked a meal, and got Charlotte to shoot some video… here is my ANTIPASTI course.
I got a Facebook message today from a friend who is taking his wife to New York in a couple of weeks. He asked me for some of my favorite dining choices and off-the-beaten path things to do. So, Charlotte and I have colaborated and come up with our “thrifty and tasteful” take on New York City.
Most of our choices are family-owned establishments offering personal and caring service and always with a European flair. Many have limited seating (20 tops max) so it would be wise to call ahead for a reservation. We highly recommend all our choices. They are listed in no particular order.
Trattoria Trecolori – 254 W. 42 St. (between Broadway and 8th Ave.) tel. 212-997-4540 – http://www.trattoriatrecolori.com/.
We were introduced to this place by David, one of Charlotte’s co-workers, and a long time resident of New York. One day David took us here for lunch. As we walked in David was greeted by the owner and waiters and treated as a “regular.” We’ve eaten here several times since and although they don’t know us, we get great service and some pretty amazing authentic Italian-American food. We dined at Trecolori just a couple of weeks ago with my sister and her husband and had a great dining experience (as opposed to a meal). I asked the waiter to prepare his choice for my dinner… he brought roasted veal that tasted amazing and melted in my mouth. Be sure to listen to the daily specials and order one if it suits your fancy. I’ve had several varieties of their fresh fish and it has always been great. The pasta and desserts are excellent as well. Entree items range from $12-23. Eclectic collection of wine from $24 a bottle.
Pergola Des Artistes – 252 W. 46 Street (between Broadway and 8th Ave.) – tel. 212-302-7500 – http://pergoladesartistes.com (closed Sunday and Monday).
I’ve walked by this little “hole-in-the-wall” many times and wondered what was behind the small little door. The entrance reminds me of a brothal (not that I’ve ever been in one, mind you) or mafia-run nightclub. But trust me, behind that door is a welcome smile and some down-home country French cuisine. We finally dined here for the first time in early July 2010. New York was under a horrible heat wave, with temps above 100 F, and the cool A/C and homey atmosphere were just what we needed. When we arrived we were greeted by the barman, who we later found out was out waiter and the manager too. The menu was limited with typical provential French, escargot, onion soup, duck, beef burgundy, coq du vin, mussels in white wine, etc. However they do have an extensive list of fresh daily specials as well. On this occasion we chose escargot in a delicious broth of butter and herbs, duck confit with the roasted breast and lamb chops stuffed with porcini mushrooms. Perfect meal, perfect service and authentic cuisine. Entree items range from $12- $20. Good wine from $22 a bottle.
La Petite Auburge 116 Lexington Ave, NY, NY 10016
Tel .212-689-5003 www.lapetiteaubergeny.com
Amazing and another well hidden gem.
L’Ecole the Restaurant of The French Culinary Institute – 462 Broadway (just north of Canal St.) – tel. 212-219-3300 http://www.frenchculinary.com/lecole. We discovered L’Ecole in February 2010 and it has instantly become one of our favorites. Considering price, value, authenticity and service it cannot be topped! They have a lunch menu, a dinner menu before 7:00 p.m. and a dinner menu after 7:00 p.m.. We’v dined here at lunch and at the pre-7 p.m. dinner. They do not take reservations between 7 and 8 p.m. Just like in Europe, a table here is your’s until you leave, or they close and run you out. The cooking staff and wait staff are all students at the adjacent French Culinary Institute. The service and food is exceptional, authentically French and affordable. For us, this is often our least expensive meal in New York. Entrees from $9-18. Good wine (they don’t serve any bad stuff) from $22 a bottle.
Cafe Un Deux Tois – 123 W. 44th Street (between 6th and Broadway)
Tel. 212-354-4148 – http://cafeundeuxtrois.biz/
Elegant upscale French dining with typical Parisian charm (said with tongue in cheek). David – I’ve spent a a few hours at the bar here with drinks and appitizers waiting on Charlotte while she shops. Good economical experience, all thing considered. Charlotte will have to tell you about the dining. Charlotte – I had lunch here at a retirement party. I don’t remember the exact menu but I do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Da Gennaro Ristorante – 129 Mulburry Street (Little Italy) –
tel. 212-431-3934 Authentic Italian-American cuisine located in the heart of Little Italy. Everything here is authentic and typical, except for the waiters- they are from Spain or Mexico but do a good job of fooling you that they are true Italians. If you are in the area, go here for the food and you won’t be disappointed. Although, I would not make a special trip from the theatre district or uptown. It is always packed and the food is good. Entrees from $15.
Carmine’s NYC Legendary Family Style Italian Restaurant – 2450 Broadway (Upper Westside) – tel. 212-362-2300 – http://www.carminesnyc.com/index.php
Carmine’s is consistant and always a winner when it comes to authentic Italian-America food. It is served family-style and in huge portions. If there are only two of you dining consider sharing the antipasti, pasta and entree. We normally come here with a group of people, order three or four courses, try to eat it all and don’t succeed. Consider getting a doggy bag and giving it to a needy person along the street between the restaurant and the subway. But seriously, the food, ambiance and dining experience is amazing. You won’t go home disappointed or hungry. Entrees from $12.
Morton’s Steakhouse – 551 Fifth Ave. – Tel. 212-972-3315 – http://www.mortons.com/newyork/
Yes, it is a chain but for us, there is no better steak in New York City (we are suckers for Chicago-style meat). Entrees from $22 up.
We arrived in ZURICH, SWITZERLAND by way of an overnight flight from Atlanta and were greeted with sub-freezing temperatures and a snow-covered landscape. In less than an hour, we had our rental car and were cruising along the highway to Schwangau, Germany. We encountered heavy snow and slow traffic the entire way. The last 100 kilometers took us along some beautiful rural countryside all covered with a blanket of white. The road was covered with snow as well and made driving rather tedious.
The afternoon was dreary and grey with the snow incessantly falling, but for us Floridians, it was a wonderful experience. Charlotte and I froze as we climbed up to Castle Schwangau, having had to wait thirty minutes before our entrance time. However, the chill was worth it because of the ambiance and vistas. The whole place is just like a “winter wonderland.”
Charlotte and I are flying today to Zurich, Switzerland hoping to experience Christmas cheer in the foothills of the Alps. According to the forecast, it is going to be cold with snow. We can’t wait! For us Floridians, any chance to get into the chilly weather and snow is an adventure. Our itinerary is somewhat flexible, especially since I do not have a group to lead around, but here is a rough outline:
First, we will drive to Schwangau, Germany and visit King Ludwig II’s boyhood home (castle) know as Hohenschwangau. We will stay overnight with my hotelier friend Hermann Weidinger in Reutte, Austria. Then we will travel through Germany’s Black Forest and set up in Freiburg, Germany for four nights. I call this region the “Smokey Mountains” of Germany. There are a lot of Christmas markets to experience and maybe we’ll do some hiking too. Finally we will return to Zurich, explore the old town, and be home by Christmas.
I discovered Cinque Terre Residence in March 2005 and have been staying here at least once a year ever since. Normally, I come here with my wife (for our anniversary trip) in August each year. We have come to love the laid-back ambiance of the locale, the patio with an amazing view and the super-clean and air-conditioned rooms. We’ve always reserved the apartment with a kitchen, because I like to cook. This last time here I cooked every night with fresh ingredients purchased in the village. The staff (Carla, Piero and Davide) are wonderful and a pleasure to deal with.
