If you could have only one dinner out in Florence...
 

...where would it be? And why?

Reason for asking: this may apply to hubby and I when we travel there next year, as other meals are taken care of already through work... although we could play hooky =)

Also, just for fun, some follow up questions:
- best bistecca alla fiorentina in Florence?
- best ribollita in Florence?
and if not in Florence, where in Tuscany?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to reading answers (and getting hungry)!

To get a useful answer to your question you need to say what would mean the most to you: Historic setting? Romantic view? Elegant service? Informal and family Italian? Classic food? Creative food? Do you have a monetary limit?

Try the Borgo San Jacopo that's next door to the Hotel Lungarno; they are related. Food is excellent and if you request it you can have a view of the river.

Quattro Leoni...If I could only have one more meal ever from anywhere in the world-- it would be from here.
The veal steak is amazing, as is the pear and asparagus ravioli.

http://www.4leoni.com/

I think it has been written up lately, but on all 4 of my Florence trips, I did not see a swarm of tourists, if any...probably because it is a little off the regular tourist path.

La Giostra. You need a reservation. Worth every penny!

For bistecca, the place that gets the most raves is Sostanza on Via del Porcellana not far from the train station. They have two dinner seatings a night; the place is very simple and the menu is short. There was a recent article in Saveur magazine about this place. Another great option for well-priced bistecca without many tourists is Cambi in the Oltrarno.

The "best," as in top-rated, fancy Michelin-starred, is said to be Enoteca Pinchiorri. They are known for one of Europe's best wine cellars but it will cost serious money. The other big name is Cibreo, which is excellent and has a lower priced trattoria that takes no reservations.

Here are some of my thoughts on food in Florence from a recent trip; you can se that we ate twice at the same place in one week..we liked it so much.


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34743272

bookmarking

Thanks for the replies! I was just curious to hear what peoples' experiences were and where they'd go back if they had a chance. Meant mostly as a question for people to have fun with, as well as get some ideas of what's out there!

We'd be up for anything (prefer not too touristy), as long as it's an amazing meal!