What do you think?


Patricia Wells' Trattoria: Simple and Robust Fare Inspired by the Small Family Restaurants of Italy – The Essential Italian Cookbook with 150 Authentic Recipes
Whether it's a bustling eatery in the heart of Florence or a tiny alcove tucked away on a side street in Venice, the trattoria is where Italians go for robust flavors, great friendship, and good times. Patricia Wells' Trattoria now feeds America's passion for Italian food with 150 authentic recipes. Savor a Fresh Artichoke Omelet, succulent Lamb Braised in White Wine, Garlic, and Hot Peppers, a hearty portion of Lasagne with Basil, Garlic, and Tomato Sauce, or a luscious Fragrant Orange and Lemon Cake, and much more. This essential cookbook of Italian trattorias presents a full range of homemade recipes for antipasti, soups, dried and fresh pastas, polenta, seafood, poultry, and meat, with special chapters on breads, pizzas, and desserts. Come explore the heart and soul of Italian cooking in Patricia Wells' Trattoria.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Patricia Wells
57 books50 followersPatricia Wells (born 5 November 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a cookbook author and teacher who divides her time between Paris and Provence. Her book Patricia Wells at Home in Provence (1996) won the James Beard Award for Best International Cookbook. Wells is the only American and the only woman to be a restaurant critic for a major French publication, L'Express (1988–1991). She was also a restaurant critic for the International Herald Tribune from 1980 until 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2007
I use this cookbook pretty regularly. It's full of recipes where it takes longer for me to cook the pasta that it does to make the sauce. Most of the recipes use fairly common ingredients that I can find in our small-town grocery stores with few problems. I love the penne with vodka sauce and the pasta with eggplant and mozzarella.
April 9, 2008
This is my favorite cookbook of all time and I wish I had it in hardcover because it is falling apart. It is accessible, authentic, and I LOVE the little stories about why she's chosen each take on a classic or where she was inspired/discovered a new and amazing combination. I have never made anything from this book that didn't come out amazing.
May 2, 2007
Reasonable, fairly simple, and occasionally vegetarian. I am a fan.
December 17, 2007
A real treat.
December 23, 2007
recipes usually involve less than 10 ingredients. very easy to use and food tastes complex. try the sun dried tomato pesto w rosemary and other herbs.
February 21, 2008
Some very quick and easy apps including an amazing easy and delicious goat cheese spread.
February 28, 2008
This is actually one of my favorite cookbooks right now. The risotto recipes are wonderful.
July 27, 2010
I love this cookbook! It's full of simple, delicious Italian recipes.
July 2, 2015
Nice layout. Some tasty recipes. Pretty simple stuff.
December 29, 2018
Phenomenal cookbook. I highly recommend the Tagliarini with Lemon Sauce. Add shrimp.
Currently Reading
July 18, 2025My favorite cookbook. Especially the “Lake Garda Cake” I make it frequently.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews






