Florence: Ira's Good Grits?
 

ira, where should I take the little wife for a few romantic dinners?

I'm thinking old bricks, candles, soft music, attentive and friendly waiters, hearty food and lots of it, some good vino, more locals than not, and all without busting my retirement stash.

Can it be done? I've got a lot riding on your recommendations as I hope to get very, very lucky, if you catch my drift.

Hi D,

Unfortunately, Il Ritrovo has new owners and is not what it was. I think others may have suggestions that are closer to what you want.

From my notes:

Cantinetta Antinori, 3 Via degli Antinori
Great ambience, perfect service, excellent wines, VG+ food. About 125E with wine. Pasta in a sauce of zucchini blossoms, pine nuts and cream was particularly interesting.

Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, 43 Borgo San Jacapo
Very pleasant atmosphere. Good, but not outstanding, food. Interesting local wines.

Osteria Dell Agnolo, Borgo San Lorenzo 24r
Stopped in for a pizza and a bottle of wine. Looks like a nice place for lunch or dinner. 25 kinds of pasta. Pizza made in house in a wood-fired oven.

If you could make a daytrip to Bologna, I highly recommend Da Cesarina, across the piazza from San Stefano.

In addition, watching the sun set over the city from the terrace of the Bar Blu in Fisole with a bottle of wine might help your luck.

We didn't eat there, but the Villa Aurora (owners of the Bar Blu) has a very nice garden restaurant.

Have a great trip.

((I))

Hi ira

Thanks for the feedback. Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco looks interesting.

And I will be sure to try the Bar Blu in Fisole. Thinking of walking back to Florence, but maybe not after that bottle of wine. I'd hate to ruin the mood by twisting my ankle and having to have the little wife throw me over her shoulder and carry me back to the hotel.

degas, no offense, but your LW must be one heck of a woman to carry you any distance at all!

ira, Osteria Dell Agnolo might work for us.

I'm not Ira, alas, maybe you wanted a private answer, but anyway this restaurant should fit the bill, excellent food, bricks and all. You won't be sorry.

Hosteria del Bricco
8r Via San Niccolò,

http://tinyurl.com/l9l4r

Cato, the LW is very strong and not a gal to anger when it comes to food!

Hi SeaUrchin, thanks for the info - that does look great. I know you also love Florence.

I also found this place:

http://www.florence.ala.it/natalino/

Anybody been to this one?

Trattoria delle Belledonne
Via delle Belledonne, 16R
Tel: 055-238-2609
Closed Saturday night and Sunday & August.

This old wine bar turned trattoria is hidden just off Via Tornabuoni, the big shopping street.

We ate at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco. The food was good, but it was not your typical European restaurant where you arrive at 8pm and spend the rest of the evening enjoying your meal and drinking wine.

It was more of a feeling of a "slam bam thank you mam" (turnover the table) type of dining experience. ((b))

Budman, there is no truth to the rumor that my LW uses the term "slam bam, thank you mam" when giggling with the girls about me.

I also hate to be rushed when dining.

LA GIOSTRA!!!!!

Oh, yeah. My chances are getting better and better. But can I wear my wild hawaii shirts in here?


http://www.ristorantelagiostra.com/i.../frameset.html

Hi D,

>thinking of walking back to Florence, but maybe not after that bottle of wine. <

Don't worry, it's all downhill. The LW could just give you a push if you stop rolling.

((I))

On my first trip to Italy, I ate at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco and raved about the food. I have subsequently travelled a lot in Italy, and ate again at the restaurant. The food was good, but no longer exceptional, and I would agree with Budman that they seemed very keen to get us out of the door quickly - very "unItalian".

I felt the same way the last time I ate at
Cinghiale Bianco. In past trips I was awed but the last time I felt like their publicity from tourists has gone to their heads and they are more into the fast tourist turnover than quality.

degas, I can't believe you'll have to ply the LW with food, wine and atmosphere!!! Heck, just BEING in Florence would do it for me!!!

BTY, don't forget the jewelry! That's always a deal maker.

I would second the recommendation for La Giostra, and loved seeing their website. The wine steward looked a bit older in person, though.

Seriously, walking back to Florence...how many miles is it from Fiesole to Florence?

I don't know the exact milage, but I have walked most of the way. I took the bus up to Fiesole, and walked down the road from the hill, taking time to see the view. When I got to the outskirts of the city, I climbed back on the bus. There may have been a ligitimate shortcut across vineyards, but I did not see a marked path.

I'm not Ira either, but I'd recommend based on your description

Al Lume di Candela
Via delle Terme, 23r,
Florence, 50123 Italy

Benissimo!!

Thanks for the news on Il Ritrovo, Ira!

We loved that place, so I'm very disappointed to hear it changed hands. Am glad to have found out before heading over there on our next trip in a few weeks.

Umh, I guess the Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco is a pass this time.

Degas: Belledonne is a casual, inexpensive place that is very crowded at lunch... Nothing special just a short menu of local dishes. Candles and soft music is probably going to mean a restaurant, rather than a trattoria. You might try a place like Taverna del Bronzino, or even Cavolo Nero... If you can give up the music you will have many more places to choose from. If you don't mind a taxi ride, Omero is an upscale trattoria overlooking the city.

Has anyone been to Quattro Leoni lately? I have lunch reservations there in a couple of weeks. I would love some feedback.

By the way, Degas, SeaUrchin's reccomendation of Hosteria del Bricco is a good one.

Gracie,

I have been to Quattro Leoni about 6 weeks ago and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. It was my first time, we had reservations for lunch, we ate the most marvelous meal of our trip and the service was great as well. We loved it SO much we made reservations for dinner there several nights later but could not make it at the last minute. Can't wait to go back again!!!!!

gracie,

We had lunch at 4 Leoni in October.....you will enjoy it....food was plentiful and delicious!! Be sure to try the signature dish...little pasta pouches filled with pear and cheese....wonderful!!

Thank all of you for improving my chances for success - lots of good tips here.

I am in discussions with the Florence tourist board to film the entire evening as a promotion to lure rural americans to Italy.

We had dinner at 4 Leoni two weeks ago, remembering it from a really good meal we had there last July. Both evenings were excellent and I think we would go back, should we ever get to Florence again.