Austria - September 2014: Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen

Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen

The busy terrace outside the Seeboeckenhotel Zum Weissen Hirschen offered an atmospheric lunch setting with magnificent views across the lake.

Artic char stuffed with herbs and served simply with potatoes.

An Austrian chicken dish in fresh delicate breadcrumbs.

Austria - September 2014: Stiegel Keller, Salzburg

Stieglkeller, Salzburg

The walk up to Salzburg castle is well worthwhile. Only walking up the narrow approach to the castle do you fully realise just how well designed was this famous castle.

Just below the castle is the famous Steiglkeller. Salzburg is the home of Steigl beer and this beer kellar stands in a unique loaction overlooking the rooftops of this famous city.

A view from the Steigl Kellar.

Pumpkin soup with added kurbis oil (pumpkin oil)

The Steigl colours are everywhere.

I was beaten by this lunch!

Austria - September 2014: Lunch in the rain

St Wolfgang - Lunch in the rain

When we arrived in St Wolfgang, it had been raining for most of the summer. On our first day it rained very heavily all day but this was not too much of a problem after all the travelling of the previous day (only arriving at the hotel late in the evening). What we did not now was that the weather was about to change to glorious (and unusually hot) sunshine. So on our first Sunday morning we ventured out into the heavy rain and quickly found shelter in a local hotel/inn..

I was very keen to taste the local food. As usual it took me only a few seconds to speed scan the menu and decide on my lunch, which would be pike/perch!

Although it was cool and raining we had been so looking forward to being able to drink Austrian wines again that we just had to order a bottle of Blaufrankish.

My wife had venison which was cooked simply and well. This was a lovely start to our holiday.

Florence - May 2014: Trattoria Bondi

Trattoria Bondi

A simple lunch in the Florentine sun.

Pizza at its most simple and delicious.

"There is a difference" - the English menu version.

A bright and colourful trattoria amid the street bustle of Florence.

Pizza and a glass of wine....

We loved the effect of the bright simple colours, lively in its street setting.

And of course classic espresso to finish.

Florence - May 2014: Ristorante Santa Felicita

Ristorante Santa Felicita

I still remember the taste of this wonderful dish of past with clams. So simple yet so full of flavour - a true classic dish. Eating this pasta for lunch in a small ristorante in a little square in busy Florence - it was a memorable lunch.

This Rosso di Montalcino was a perfect match. Good wine at a sensible price.

More wonderful pasta - well executed.

I had to have some tiramisu...

And there was gelato....

Florence - May 2014: Chianti Ruffino

Chianti Ruffino

A bottle of the favoured Chianti Classico from Ruffino - the wine of Florence.

Tuscan wine and a classic Tuscan dish - pork and beans.

Drinking Chianti Classico Ruffino in Florence - what more is there to say?

My meal to accompany the Chianti Classico.

Florence - May 2014: Trattoria Pizzeria Santa Lucia

Trattoria Pizzeria Santa Lucia

Pizza for lunch! Simple and well executed, what else could we enjoy - well a glass of wine.

Well rounded wines to support this simply but beautifully executed cuisine - an excellent lunch, much copied across the world.

A range of classic pizzas.

Street side in Florence is different from a street view in any other place.

Florence - May 2014: Le Botteghe di Donatello

Le Botteghe di Donatello

A simple lunch, street side across from the Duomo. A very pleasant way to enjoy a leisurely lunch in this beautiful city. The good was not exceptional but it was okay - well worth it for just sitting in this location alone.

The important 'Ruffino' on the label, most favoured by the people of Florence themselves. More good drinking Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to enjoy - perfect with this easy food.

It was hot and the ripe tomatoes on the bruchetta were an ideal easy starter. Simple, easy and good ingredients.

A rather larger pizza but good and simple - I savoured this with the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. On holiday these are lunches to linger over in the Florence sun - a world away from our workaday lives.

A very basic salad, but the ingredients were good enough to just about make it worthwhile. A good lunch in the summer heat.