any recommends for dinner - nice ambiance, great food - but not over the top in price and formality.

Not sure what you consider "over the top" in price, but highly recommend La Gistra in Florence. You can check out their reviews here in Fodor's restaurant section.

no more than $50.00 pp - theres 4 of us w/wine....one is an 18 year old...can't find La Gistra?

I think it is called La Giostra on Borgo Pinti.

In Siena, we loved the Osteria Nonna Gina so much we went back for a repeat visit. We loved the ambience; very cozy and colorful inside. And very popular; crowded both times we went.

Address, phone#, and brief description at the website below (scroll down until you find Siena)...
http://www.tuscanhouse.com/travelpla...ntsinsiena.htm

In Siena~Osteria Logge. It's an old hardware store. It is a bit pricey(mid range) but great food. You simply must have a steak while in the region.

peggyann is right. Sorry for the typo, and yes, it's within your price range and is excellent.

My very favorite restaurant in Florence is just off the right of the Duomo, on a tiny piazza that faces the Duomo, called il Sasso di Dante (or Dante's rock-he supossedly lived in this ancient bldg. for awhile). Tiny little moderate restaurant with a built on porch so that there is a view of the Duomo, excellent homemade food, very local, hardly any tourists-and romantic to boot.

In Florence, we liked La Giostra in the Santa Croce area and Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco and Beccofino in the Oltrarno. In Siena we enjoyed La Torre.

Hi bams,

In Florence, I can highly recommend Il Ritrovo
Via de? Pucci 4/A

Best food for the price Has fish. Full dinner w/wine abt 40E pp Closed Monday
From Pzza San Giovani (NW corner of the Pza del Duomo) walk one blk East to Via dei Martelli. Go left to Via dei Pucci. Turn Right. Look very carefully on left. No sign. Door could be locked. Ring bell.