Romantic dinner in Florence
 

Hubby and I are looking for a place in Florence to have a very romantic dinner without the twentysomthings that will be traveling with us. Although we we are fairly frugal, price isn't a consideration for this meal. Has anybody gone to a place and had a really great meal with a lot of ambiance in Florence? Have checked some recommendations but wanted to check with the experts. We have been told that Osteria No. 1 is good. Has anybody been there and, if so, is it what we are looking for? Thank you in advance for your assistance. Jackie

Osteria No. 1 is very good but I wouldn't describe it as romantic. It is a very popular spot and can get very noisy. For romance, it doesn't get much more romantic than the terrace restaurant of the Villa San Michele in Fiesole.

Alfredo Sull'Arno - Via de Bardi, 46r florence tel 055 283808 - closed sundays, outstanding setting, right
by Ponte vecchio bridge and across the river from the Effizzi Gallery. Make sure you ask for table along the river so you get to see the ponte vecchio bridge and effizzi gallery all lit up at night.

The following is not romantic but best seafood:
Antico Girone - Via del Girone, 38 Loc GIRONE (Florence), closed mondays
tel 055 690830 www.antico-girone.it
This restaurant is known for their seafood. Try the platters of fried seafood and also platter of pasta with mixed seafood. Huge patters so enough for 2-3 people. follow arno river about 3 miles south make reservtions very popular with locals

If you have a car and by the tuscan town of San Quirio. Very romantic, you eat in a walled in garden
Trattoria Al Vecchio Forno - via piazzola, 8 tel 0577 897380 www.palazzodelcapitano.com, closed
very quaint.This is in the town of S. Quirico d'Orcia, east of Siena. Need a reservation. Not close to Florence only if you are passing thru Tuscany. The best ravioli in pecorino cheese
sauce!!

Thank you so much for your suggestions. Grinisa, I am happy I asked the question as Osteria No. 1 does not sound at all like what we are looking for. I checked the website for Villa San Michele and it looks perfect. Has anybody else eaten there and if so what are you thoughts?
la_dolce_vita -Thank you for your suggestions as well. Hubby doens't like seafodd but I do. Do you know if Antico Girone is open for lunch? Again thank you and any further comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jackie

Villa San Michele might well be the single best (elegant) place I have eaten in Italy - - maybe Villa d'Este is on the same level.

For most unforgettable dining experience - - while far from elegant - - there was this little place, that I literally think has no name right at the lake's edge in the town of Garda. Ten, if not 15 courses of the most incredible sea food (and in some cases, "water critters", I guess, that I never did really know what I was eating) - - but that's another story.

Best wishes,

Rex

Wow Rex, I have always found the information you provide to be very informative and useful so this is very high praise from you. It spurred me into going back to the website and reserving a table for two for April 6th. I am very much looking forward to this meal and will be sure to take extensive notes in my journal to share when we return. Only one more month and off we go to beautiful Italy. I can hardly wait. Jackie

My visit there - - almost totally uncharacteristically, as we did not "go out fancy" even one other time that trip - - was in September 2001, on the "Fodorites' Italy 2001 trip" that I organized.

I would always value more current affirmation from someone - - Grinisa did you eat there recently?

Hi jd,

You absolutely *must* tell us about your dinner a St Michele.

Keep good notes on each course and the wines.

Ira - I will keep extensive notes and give a good report on the meal at San Michele, including wines. Since we are traveling with, and paying for, six people on this trip this is going to be our only meal that we "go out fancy" so we are looking forward to it. Many thanks to Grinisa and Rex for the recommedation and to la_dolce_vita for the heads up on the seafood restaurant, which I will try for lunch on day.

Hi JD,

>...paying for, six people on this trip this is going to be our only meal that we "go out fancy" ...<

You are aware of what this is going to cost, aren't you?

No, I haven't dined there in almost 14 years, since my honeymoon. That's why I didn't comment on the food or service, just the general romantic ambience which I can see from the website (and several friends' more recent reports) hasn't changed. When we did have dinner there, the food was fine but I've certainly had better at other restaurants, both elegant and otherwise, in Italy. Still, it would be hard to top eating on that terrace as the moonlight shines on Florence below you for romance.

Ira - Yes, I am aware of what this is going to cost. That is why it is a romantic dinner for two and the other four are on their own for the evening. That is also why this will be the only "go out fancy" night on this trip. If we were travelling alone, as Hubby and I usually do, we would be going to several nice places during our trip. In this case we chose one very special night out and are quite willing to pay the price for ourselves, but not for the kids.

I too recommend Alfredo Sull'Arno for your romantic dinner in Florence. The location near the Ponte Vecchio can't be beat. We spent approximately 80 euros for 1 appetizer, 2 first courses, 2 second courses, 1 bottle of red wine, 1 bottle of water, and 2 baskets of bread this January. We too were on a budget and this was our "nice" meal in Florence. This was not only the best meal of my trip to Italy but also the best meal I've ever had (so far)! Ravioi with truffle sauce was excellent. The menus are written in Italian, English, and German I believe.

I would only choose Villa San Michele if it is warm enough to eat out on the terrace. Make sure you ask for a table on the edge of the terrace or on the little alcove that fits only two tables.
As others have stated, it's not the food, which is competent, but the view that makes the Villa San Michele memorable.

Hi jd,

Enjoy your night out and please let the rest of us enjoy it vicariously (or virtually, as the case may be).