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La Giostra Review

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La Giostra

$$$, Italian, Santa Croce

User Rating: **** 4.5

Fodor's Review:

The clubby La Giostra, which means "carousel" in Italian, is owned and run by Prince Dimitri Kunz d'Asburgo Lorena, and his way with mushrooms is as remarkable as his charm. The unusually good pastas may require explanation from Soldano, one of the prince's good-looking twin sons. In perfect English he'll describe a favorite dish, taglierini con tartufo bianco, a decadently rich pasta with white truffles. Leave room for dessert: this might be the only show in town with a sublime tiramisu and a wonderfully gooey Sacher torte.

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Great food, but...

Posted by barron81 from Chatham, NJ on 8/28/08

This place came highly recommended by friends. We noticed that there were no Italian diners there, only tourists. The "free" (there's a cover charge) prosecco and antipasto were a nice touch, and the food was delicious. No wine by the glass, however. And no half bottles either. When I didn't order a bottle, the service died. I cannot recommend this place...even though the pasta with porcini was the best I've ever had.

FOOD: 4.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 2.0

VALUE: 2.0

RATING: 3.2

Interesting decor, but excellent food and wine

Posted by Kyla_McD from Cumming, Georgia on 6/10/08

Came here on a Friday night without a reservation and they were able to squeeze us in. Our server was patient while we struggled with Italian, then started speaking perfect English to explain some menu items. They bring every table an antipasto platter (for free) after you order that is to die for. My husband had the best osso bucco he has ever tasted here. I had a pear ravioli, which was one of the most unique dishes I have ever tasted. The flashing christmas lights on the ceiling were an interesting decor choice, but the good food made up for it.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 4.0

RATING: 4.6

overrated and pretentious

Posted by helgen111 from california on 3/20/08

No wine by the glass, overpriced wine list, the most unhelpful waiter I have ever had, without a doubt. He spent about 90 seconds with us..a server delivered the food.Menu is in Italian only, which is fine if you don't have a snob for a waiter who was rude and dismissive despite the fact that he spoke English quite well as was evidenced by his fake Italian accent ( I wonder where in the states he is from). The hostess was also rude. How dissapointing. Food is not that great and and exepensive. I have never reviewed a restaurant before...I was truly inspired tonight.

FOOD: 4.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 1.0

VALUE: 2.0

RATING: 3.2

I always go here

Posted by DavidKar from South Florida on 7/3/07

Every time I am in Florence I always have to go to this wonderful restaurant. I particularly like to go there during white truffle season. The beef Carpaccio with white truffles are perfect. However, any one whom does not understand the difference between real Tuscan food and the olive garden. Or to those who prefers their pasta smothered in an overdose of cheap tomato sauce, powdered garlic via American style then I recommend you do avoid.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 5.0

Wonderful Dining Experience

Posted by TerryLFred from Southern California on 5/10/07

My husband and I had a great dinner here a few weeks ago while vacationing in Italy. I read an excellent review in the Fodor's "talk" section and also saw it recommended on Zagat and Eye Witness' "Top Ten Tuscany" book so decided we must try it. We were not disappointed! The son was our waiter and explained the menu perfectly. For the main entrée he recommended the goat which I loved. One of the best dishes I had our whole trip in Italy. The fried zucchini flowers were fabulous. We told him we wanted pasta with artichokes so he brought us a dish that wasn't on the menu but oh so wonderful. I also had the shrimp salad with avocado and kiwi. The shrimps were huge, the flavors fantastic. The portions are not small and they also start you off with the complementary hors d'oeuvres so take that into consideration when ordering. The wine decanting is a bit overboard but the whole dining experience was really fun, special and delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant and I look forward to going again someday. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 5.0

Emotion

Posted by Julia_Langley from Washington on 11/23/06

This year I visited the wonderful city of Florence and I ate in many restaurants until I discovered "La Giostra". It's a small distinctive restaurant frequented especially by florentine people but also by international famous cinema actors. The prices are not cheap but proportioned to the quality of the food and to the originality of the place. The owner is a very original and charme guy who is really able to give emotions with his dishes. The food is amazing and experience unforgettable!!

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 4.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 4.8

Best restaurant in Firenze

Posted by Liz from New York City on 6/18/06

I lived in Firenze for 4 months, and La Giostra consistently tops the other restaurants through service, style, and of course the best food. All of the pastas and risottos are to dive for and the complimentary prosecco and appetizer samplers set the mood.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 5.0

RATING: 5.0

Romantic New Year's Eve

Posted by John from Cropwell, AL on 1/9/06

Based on recommendations from fellow fodorits, I booked a table at La Giostra for New Year's Eve at 9:30 pm. Easily found a few blocks behind the Duomo, we were quickly escorted to our table in the rear of the restaurant. On the table were glasses with strawberries over which champagne was poured as we sat. We each ordered an appetizer, first and second course. Each dish was sublime. And we were entertained by the "prince" as he made his way to each table talking with the guest. We skipped dessert so we could be outside when the New Year was rung in. The food and service was excellent. I would highly recommend the restaurant to anyone looking for a special meal while in Florence. It is expensive (at least for us) with the total for two at ¬210 - we did not drink any wine.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 5.0

SERVICE: 5.0

VALUE: 4.0

RATING: 4.8