Monday, June 2 (Florence) – While shopping in Florence, my mom and I had struck up a conversation with a nice guy who works in a leather shop and he gave us some restaurant recommendations that were close to the city center but high-quality restaurants that primarily locals know about and go to. We decided to check one of them out – Vini e Vechi Sapori - a family-run osteria where the Nonna works in the kitchen cooking the day’s specialties. We walked by hoping for a late breakfast or early lunch (when perhaps a reservation wasn’t necessary), but they were closed. Then the door magically opened and one of the waiters started talking to us and invited us back at 12:30 sharp when they opened. We had a reservation at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Florence!
We arrived back at the restaurant to a small crowd of people waiting for the doors to open (and hoping to get in). As the restaurant opened, we were seated but some people were sent away without having a reservation. The small restaurant with about six or seven tables was filled with a mix of in-the-know tourists and the local regulars including three little old ladies who were clearly catching up on the neighborhood gossip. The walls are adorned with paintings from every artistic genre including a caricature portrait of the three owners (one of whom happened to be sitting directly beneath it at the time!).
The waiter gave us hand-written menus with today’s date and after a few minutes he sat down at the table with us to take our order. He was extremely nice and friendly – which isn’t very common at restaurants in Italy – and was happy to translate the somewhat indecipherable handwriting and Italian for us.
The food: delicious!! Really some of the absolute best I’ve had in Italy. We started with a caprese salad (the freshest mozzarella I’ve ever had) and a cold artichoke salad which was lovely as well. For main dishes, my mom had a spaghetti pomodoro and I had Bolognese on a big flat rigatoni-like pasta. Again, fantastic, fresh and tasty.
We ended the meal with a mocha-flavored espresso drink, full bellies and smiles on our faces. This place is a winner!
The waiter gave us hand-written menus with today’s date and after a few minutes he sat down at the table with us to take our order. He was extremely nice and friendly – which isn’t very common at restaurants in Italy – and was happy to translate the somewhat indecipherable handwriting and Italian for us.
The food: delicious!! Really some of the absolute best I’ve had in Italy. We started with a caprese salad (the freshest mozzarella I’ve ever had) and a cold artichoke salad which was lovely as well. For main dishes, my mom had a spaghetti pomodoro and I had Bolognese on a big flat rigatoni-like pasta. Again, fantastic, fresh and tasty.
We ended the meal with a mocha-flavored espresso drink, full bellies and smiles on our faces. This place is a winner!
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More of the best places to eat in Florence
Antica Trattoria da Tito
Delicious, traditional Italian food, but people seem to go more for the atmosphere. The waiters have attitudes (in a fun and flirty way) an will yell at you for not finishing your plate or if they are trying to walk by and you're in the way. While the decor is standard for a restaurant, the music is loud and hopping! In fact, rumor has it that late night gets a bit crazy at Tito's... dancing on the tables and such...
Delicious, traditional Italian food, but people seem to go more for the atmosphere. The waiters have attitudes (in a fun and flirty way) an will yell at you for not finishing your plate or if they are trying to walk by and you're in the way. While the decor is standard for a restaurant, the music is loud and hopping! In fact, rumor has it that late night gets a bit crazy at Tito's... dancing on the tables and such...
Cantina del Gelato
Some of the tastiest gelato I encountered in Italy... and for those of you who just can't decide, there is a flavor wheel to help you out!
Some of the tastiest gelato I encountered in Italy... and for those of you who just can't decide, there is a flavor wheel to help you out!
Caffé le Logge
Although a bit pricey for a coffee and a bite, this is a great place for breakfast, just next to the leather market. We even ran into the man from the leather store there who suggested Vini e Vechi Sapori!
Although a bit pricey for a coffee and a bite, this is a great place for breakfast, just next to the leather market. We even ran into the man from the leather store there who suggested Vini e Vechi Sapori!
Brac
If you're feeling a bit pizza & pasta'd out, this vegetarian / vegan restaurant is not only delicious and healthy, it is also part gallery, part book shop so there's a lot to look at to stimulate both your mind and your taste buds.
If you're feeling a bit pizza & pasta'd out, this vegetarian / vegan restaurant is not only delicious and healthy, it is also part gallery, part book shop so there's a lot to look at to stimulate both your mind and your taste buds.
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