I will be travelling to Italy tomorrow for 10 days. 3 in Rome, 3 in Florence and 3 in Venice. Do you guys have any suggestions on any great beers/pubs/restaurants to try?
I was there last year doing almost the same trip. Funny, whenever I go anywhere I always do my beer research before hand.
Truthfully, the beer is not very good in Italy IMO - a step above BMC, not a big one, however if you like very light lagers you will be happy. You can drink anywhere, anytime. I have lots of pics standing in front of police cars with a beer - I am easily amused.
HUGE point to note: DO NOT eat the food on the main drags. You will be hugely dissapointed. Step a block or two off the strip (especially in Florence) and find a place full of italians - thats where the food will be good. You will know they are italians if they are wearing pants (they would not be caught dead in shorts).
My wife and I were horrified when we ate some of the food, which looked delicious, in Florence. It was like cardboard with factory produced veggies, smeared with a tiny drop of tomato paste. YUCK.
A good idea, is to generate some rapport with a local somewhere - like a convenience store guy. Ask him where HE goes to eat. Tell him "No tourist food, I want real italian food". This works in almost every country, and if you try it several times, and in different areas of the city, you will end up eating at a variety of great places.
Also, the Rick Steves book of florence is very good - the recommendatinos are almost all spot on.