I have searched (for a dear friend and neighbour) in the Fodors archives but apart from Il Ritrovo, can find few places that are broadly endorsed.

The trip is July, 2005.

If 3 middle-aged but funky and food-knowledgeable adults were dining together in Florence, where would you send them?

All suggestions welcome.

I think there are fairly consistent (favorable) comments for Osteria Cinghale Bianco on Borgo Jacopo...

Has been on my list of places to get to, but didn't make it last time (went to Villa San Michele, up in Fiesole - - which is, of course, a must-make-pilgrimage place - - but very different budget from Cinghale Bianco) - - and some other place another time (not memorable).

Best wishes,

Rex

I'm also a fan of Cinghale Bianco,maybe because I love saying it(it means the white boar)It's the first place I had coniglio,rabbit,now a favorite of mine.

LA GIOSTRA in a heartbeat. Check it out at ristorantelagiostra.it.

RE Cingiale Bianco and Villa San Michele -- "Different budget": which is the high-budget, which the lower-budget option? They can afford either but it is nice to know in advance.

La Giostra: will check out the website; what about it did you especially like?

The two best meals we had in Florence last spring were at Il Ritrovo and Il Profeta. While there are plenty of endorsements on this board for Il Ritrovo, a lovely restaurant, you can't go wrong with either. Il Profeta, not far from the Westin Excelsior, had delicious food, was reasonably priced, and had a warm, welcoming staff. It's at via Borgognissanti, 93R, and also on the web at www.ristoranteilprofeta.com. It had the single best pannecotta (sp?) that I've ever had. I do remember NOT being impressed by what we nicknamed the "boar restaurant", Osteria Cinghale Bianco, which, although very reasonably priced, was noisy and had a lot of boar on the menu.

Villa San Michele is the high budget - - and the must-make-pilgrimage...

The Villa San Michele is all about eating on the loggia with the view of Florence. Great atmosphere, that's for sure, but the food is very expensive and, in my opinion, nothing special. Since you describe yourself as "food-knowledgeable" I would suggest two other high end places known for the food, as well as the cost: Cibreo and Enoteca Pinchiorri. More moderate places with excellent food: Osteria No.1, Il Latini and Cave di Maiano.

<<Great atmosphere, that's for sure, but the food is very expensive and, in my opinion, nothing special.>>

I fear that from what I recall, I would not contest this statement.

La Latini -great food, reasonable prices and very friendly staff. Long wait to get in.

Other than the great places already noted, I can also recommend Osteria Dell Agnolo.

http://www.osteria-agnolo.it/

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/osteria-agnolo.htm

Two weeks ago we dined at a simple place called Mamma Gina's on Borga San Jacopo in the Oltrarno area after having an enjoyable lunch there. It's bigger and nicer than it looks from the street. Traditional Tuscan; I'd go back again in a heartbeat. This year we also had a nice meal at Dino's in the Santa Croce area. Homey and reasonable. You could take friends to either place -- they both have vaulted ceilings, nice-enough decor, good linens, and caring service -- and you'd have a wonderful time without going broke.
Two years ago we dined at Villa San Michele -- very pleasant -- and the Michelin 3-star Enoteca Pinchiorri, where we spent over E400 for two, not including wine. Good, but E400 good???

"La Latini "

It is actually called Il Latini (but after all the Chianti, La Latini sounds good, too), and we loved it. Even with reservations, you will have to wait a bit,

I second the vote for La Giostra. It was the best food we had on our entire trip. Great atmosphere, too!

Hi t,

Have a bottle of wine and an appetizer at the Blue Bar in Fiesole while watching the sunset over the city.

It's about 20 min by the no. 7 bus from the SMN station.

Also
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 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.

Gusto Winebar and Pizza, 2 Via del Proconsolo
Pleasant wines, generous salads, low prices.

Ciro & Sons, Pzza di San Giovanni
Nice place for a pizza and bottle of wine. Good service and ambience. Pricey

Salaam Bombay, Via F. Rosselli 45r
Where the locals go if they want something exotic. A good, inexpensive Indian restaurant. Excellent nan.

this is great guidance -- I thank you; my friend thanks you; and her travel companions thank you.

A link to the epicurious restaurant guide

http://www.epicurious.com/restaurant...florence/index

I just went on La Giostra's site to look at their menu and its only in Italian, how, will I ever order any food? Do any restaurants have menus with English as well and will the waiters be helpful. I have pretty decent Spanish but no Italian at all.Thanks for any advice.

tedgale,
It's been among our favorite (if not our favorite) restaurants both times we've been here. The food is really incredible, and what's more incredible, this time "the prince" offered to let me come to free cooking lessons! I didn't have the heart to tell him that I don't like cooking (only the eating part)--just told him I was leaving for Spain the next day--which was also true.

DOCK,
I can't read the menu either and it's so extensive, I admit it can be intimidating. So we just took Roberto's (our waiter) suggestions and the meal was perfect. They are willing to translate for you though.

Hi D,

You can buy a menu guide, but I think that you will find that your waiter will be very helpful in translating.

However, would it help you to know that "pesce di lupo" is wolf fish?