La Grotta – Sept 2018 we had lunch with Joan, Linda, Rita and Jo form our Italian conversation group here. .It was one of the best restaurants of the trip. I started with an eggplant flan and had the suckling pig, which was awesome. Joanne had the pici with cherry tomatoes. The setting is slightly outside of Montepulciano centro. Loving setting with attentive waiters and an extensive wine list. We need to go back.
We visited Florence in 2014, 2015 and 2016. We stayed a few days in 2014, a week in 2015 ,and two nights 2016. We stayed at the Santa Maria Novella hotel for all the trips. Here are some of the restaurants we enjoyed during our stay in Florence. we returned for 3 nights in 2018. Stayed at the Santa Maria Novella hotel room 521. We did an overnight from Rome and Stayed at the Santa Maria Novella room 521. We had another terrific meal at Buca Lapi, and two lunches at some very local tuscan restaurants -Trattoria Gozzi, and Trattoria Marione.
Ristorante Buca Lapi – Our favorite restaurant in Florence. It is traditional Florence fare. There is a heavy emphasis on bistecca. Open kitchen, friendly and professional service. It is on the expensive side. Via del Trebbio 1r. We eat here every time we are in Florence. We returned in 2018 and a delightful older waitress who enjoyed the Il Bruciato wine we ordered. We shared 3 plates, starting with the fried zucchini (lightly battered with just enough salt), and then we had the gnocchi in sage butter sauce and finally the roasted lamb, which was great. The waitress brought us a piece of chocolate torta on the house because she said we picked the right wine. Love this place.
Ristorante Buca Mario – Another traditional Florence restaurant. It is a busy place, seats close together. The steaks are the specialty. We have the sliced steak here. Ate there in 2014 and 2015. Less expensive than Buca Lapi. Piazza Ottaviani, 16r.
Ristorante dei Fagoli – Ate here in 2016. It is a Coral recommendation. It is one of those Italian restaurants you’re always hoping to find. Wood paneled dining rooms, smiling cooks in the kitchen, the day’s specials up on a blackboard. Great service – cash only. Try the meatballs.
La Cantinetta in Borgo – Restaurant near the Duomo. We ate here twice in 2015. Meat is the specialty, but it is a Wine Spectator selection as well. Small space on San Lorenzo.
Tamero` Pasta Bar – Went there with Coral in 2015, and returned in 2016. Great spot in Santo Spirito. Space inside is industrial looking and trendy. They also have an aperitif deal that is very reasonable. Chef is from Sardinia. Pizza Santo Spirito, 11r. We had another lunch there in 2018. It is crowed at lunch time for a good reason, they have price fixe menu that is reasonable. I had the tagliatelle with tomato sauce and pesto – it was great. Joanne had gnochetti with a smoked cheese sauce (too rich for me).
Osteria dei Pazzi – Part of Coral food tour in 2015. Traditional and reasonably priced Florence fare. They are a little crazy like the name – there are cute sayings on the wall. I liked it better than Joanne. Via Dei Lavatori 3r.o
Konnubio – This was a new restaurant we tried in 2018. The food was great but the service was terrible. We shared meatless Mousaka, cappelletti Osso (Veal stuffed pasta), and a whole Branzino. Wait staff, young and inexperienced. Would not return.
Trattoria Pandemonio – A new find for us in 2018. A little off the beaten path in the alto Arno. It was a good place for our last meal. Very much a home style restaurant with traditional dishes. We shared the pasta alla mamma with meatballs and I had the osso bocca and Joanne had the filetto. We’ll be back!
La Martinicca – Via del sole 27r. Near hotel. Small restaurant with little character. It was not a memorable meal.
Il Santo Bevitore – Ashlee recommended, but we did not have a good experience here. Via di Santo Spirito, 64.
Trattoria Sostanza – Typical fare but served with seating at group tables. It was a bit awkward. Via del Porcellana 25r.
The follow are probably better suited to lunch or a snack.
Le Volpe e L’Uva – Ashlee recommended. Great wine bar with good salads and small plates. Near Piti Palace. Via dei Magazzini 2-4r.
Le Mossacce – Ashlee recommended. Old style restaurant, where all tables are shared. Daily menu. It was fun. Via Del Proconsolo 55r.
Signor Vino – Coral recommendation. There is a wine shop attached to the restaurant. There is an outside deck on the Arno with a great view of the Ponte Vecchio. Worth it for the view. Via de Bardi 46r.
Trattoria Giovanni – Ate there with Ellen after visiting the Brancacci Chapel in Santa Maria del Carmine. Via Sant’Agostino, 38.
IL Cantinone – Restaurant located in the cellar of the building. Simple food. Via di Santo Spirito, 6r.
Osteria Zaza – Ashlee recommended. Can sit outside. It’s near the indoor mercato. Piazza Del Marcato.
Enoteca Sei Davino – aperativo there in 2018.
Fiesole – Le Reggia degli Etrusci – We ventured to Fiesole for the first time in 2018. We had to climb a mountain (very steep hillside) to get there. We shared a pasta dish called Paccheri Salsiccia and the filetto. It was great and warrents areturn visit. Service was excellent.
