If you’re traveling to Italy in search of an authentic culinary experience but don’t want to break the bank, then skip those expensive ristoranti and head straight to the nearest trattoria, those unassuming mom-and-pop eateries where you’ll find home-cooked, regional cuisine for a price that any traveler can afford. Chow Italy (Florence 2014) will guide you to more than 60 trattorie in seven neighborhoods throughout the city where the art and beauty of Brunelleschi and Michelangelo are around every corner. Each trattoria listing contains the address and hours of operation, a description of the eatery’s ambiance as well as chef’s specials, plus a map to help guide the way. Take Trattoria da Sergio just off the Piazza San Lorenzo, for instance, where you can dig into a bowl of ribollita, a hearty Tuscan bread and vegetable soup for a mere €5. Or, if you find yourself hungry after touring Piazza Santo Spirito, then head to Trattoria La Casalinga where you can score a slice of the best Italian meatloaf ever. The price? A mere €8. With Chow Italy (Florence 2014), you eat well but spend less.
