If you had one dinner in Florence and wanted to try Bistecca alla Fiorentina, where would you eat? I'm looking for a restaurant with a romantic, Florentine atmosphere that is not too expensive, perhaps around $30 per person. I know this is a tall order, but I appreciate the help.

I may be wrong about this - in fact I hope I am - but I thought I heard sometime last summer that the Italian Govt was putting a stop to serving the bistecca due to mad cow or hoof and mouth or combination of the two. Does this ring a bell with anyone else out there?

I know I saw it on several menus when I was there in October.

Lisa, one of the best meals we had last month during our three weeks in Italy was at the small family run Ristorante Fagioli in the Santa Croce area of Florence. We had wonderful bistecca alla Fiorentina and along with pasta, salad and wine the meal was about $50, including tip. We were also served limoncello at the end of our meal. I wouldn't call it romantic but the bistecca was fabulous and the service was great. Our server, one of the sons, explained the menu and when he brought the check he went over all the charges. I can't tell you what the best bistecca alla Fiorentina is because this is the only place we had it, but we would definitely return.

Judi<BR><BR>Was that $50 for one or two people?

It is hard for me to say, since I have only had it at one place - Ristorante La Posta. I thought the bistecca I had there in October was superb; I have never had a better steak. Lots of taste and a large portion. I believe the bistecca was under $20, and the whole meal cost us $35-$40. I had two courses and wine, and my wife had one course. We ate outside, which was fairly nice. I have read since that the inside of the place is attractive, but I honestly can't remember, since I was outside most of the time. The restaurant is located near Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Republicca.

The total bill was about $50 for both of us. A bottle of Chianti was placed on our table and we were charged only what we drank, which was not the entire bottle.

Bistecca alla fiorentina did officially "die" on 31 march 2001 - - as reported in such news stories as http://abcnews.go.com/sections/world...ral010331.html - - the prohibition was to bring Italy into compliance with the EU policy to forbid selling beef "on the bone". Fiorentina is/was essentially a T-bone, with a portion of backbone left in the cut.<BR><BR>To quote from other accounts from the time, "The Fiorentina has been reduced to an invalid and as such, she herself <BR>prefers death ... without the bone it is just meat, not heaven."<BR><BR>And yet, as others have attested, restaurants in Florence HAVE still kept "a" bistecca alla fiorentina on the menu - - but specify that it is served off the bone. I saw it at Villa San Michele in September.<BR><BR>I regret that I can't comment on what place(s) might have the "best" fiorentina either.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

The total bill was about $50 for both of us. A bottle of Chianti was placed on our table and we were charged only what we drank, which was not the entire bottle.

Agree wholeheartedly with the bistecca alla Fiorentia at La Posta (a few blocks off the Piazza Signorina.) Reasonably priced and excellent. Buon appetito!

Don't panic people! I have some good news for all the TRUE bistecca alla Fiorentina lovers. Its death was only temporary. Since the mad cow disease, government drasticly improved its controll over the breeding of cows, they decided for security reasons to stop the consuming of T-bone steak that didn't grow under such new controll. Since then the new little veals finally became adults, and recent tests on them that were succefull allowed the government to anounce that the Bistecca alla Fiorentina WITH its bone will be back on the restaurants tables on January 1st 2002. (Excuse my english, I am Italian...)

Not romantic at all, but fun, lively, family style, chef-owned "Coco Lezzone". Supposedly been around for 100 yrs.<BR>Communal tables, always jam packed, miniscule kitchen, but great "bistecca". At 26 Via del Parioncino.<BR>(no credit cards-maybe $75 for 2?) <BR>The last time in Florence, we decided to stick to the tiny, communal table, family owned, <BR>"been there for ever" trattoria-style places, and and many recommended "Coco Lezzone" and "Sostanza" to us <BR>An article in T&L, "The Ferragamos' Florence", quotes Feruccio: "C.L. has the best bistecca alla fiorentina in the city. And its yellow and white wall tiles make you feel as if you're eating in a kitchen".<BR>

Good morning, my vote would be for the<BR>TRATTORIA DA CELESTINO, Pza S. Felicita, 4 r. just across the south end of the<BR>Ponte Vecchio and first little square<BR>to the left. Also have a<BR>more than excellant grilled veal chop<BR>in addition to the Bistecca.....<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

Thank you all for your suggestions! Has anyone been to Buca Lapi recently? I've read some great things about this place in past posts. Thanks!

Can't remember the name of the restaurant--was near the Mercato Centrale. One night, my husband and I shared a large bistecca. This was wonderful--about 1.5" thick. Another night, at the same restaurant, we ordered individual steaks. They were disappointing--thin, altogether inferior to the first bistecca we had. I wonder if others have had similar experiences.

Lisa,<BR>Ate at Buca Lapi last year. It is on a side street so you need to know the address. You step down a few steps to enter the charming restaurant. There were three of us, and we ordered three bisteccas. The very kind waiter told us the bisteccas were very large. Said we should just order two. He was right as we still took leftovers back to our rental house. I would highly recommend this place. Jo<BR>

Ate at Buca Lapi in September. Bistecca was very good. Would recommend. Had our hotel make reservations for us before we arrived.