I can't remember the name of the restaurant in Florence that is known for their steak florentine. Business people travel for hours just for lunch there - does anyone know the place?
I think you are going to get a lot of different answers to this one - nearly every restaurant here has the bistecca. People seem to like Del Fagioli
http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/italy/florence/del-fagioli
I have also heard that Perseus is very good
One of the best I have had was at Caffe Italiano near Vivoli
http://www.caffeitaliano.it/inglese/locali_caffe_italiano/osteria_caffe_italiano.asp
I also think it is very good at Boccadama in Piazza Santa Croce
Are you referring to Il Latini?
Margaret:
I am assuming that you mean "Bistecca Fiorentina". It usually comes in a portion of about a kg (2.2 pounds) and is served for two.
I second the nomination for Il Latini. Such great culinary memories from our two meals there. On both of our visits the place was populated equally with locals and tourists.
If you are out in the Tuscan countryside you should try Ristoro di Lamole in the tiny hilltop village of Lamole - the Sunday afternoon supper was poetry on a plate. Have fun.
Friends of ours went to Italy in July and when we asked for recommendations for our upcoming trip, they recommended Il Latini and said we HAVE TO GET THE STEAK! I am thinking it must be good and we are planning to try it!
Il Latini - that's it!!!!! Thank you; it was driving me crazy. Its a great place, family style seating, the staff is hysterical, watching them mess with people who can't grasp the concept of what the place is about. REALLY good food, great house wine (don't order another wine or they will be pissed with you and charge you more for your meal).
We were at Il Latini in June. The steak for two is huge, set menu includes ham with melon, a desert wine, all the house wine you can drink, very reasonable price. The house wine is fantastic.
Remember that Il Latini is closed on Mondays.
And that under no circumstances should you go there between 8pm and 10pm on the date of September 23rd of this year. Cause I don't want to stand in a long line. LOL
;)
I'm curious if Il Latini will maintain its quality now that the Latini family has sold the restaurant. There was a noticable increase in prices when I stopped by this past May, so I decided to move on. It used to be great, so I hope the new owners don't change it too much.
Il Latini is the place to go. Get there early and wait in line as you watch the staff calmly enjoy their dinner as a team. The door opens at 6PM and not a second sooner. Prosciutto hanging from the ceiling. The waiters could sell you the Brooklyn Bridge twice. Throw budgets out the door and enjoy this one. You will never have an empty glass of wine as they leave a carafe at your table. Later the waiter buys you a drink of Proseco. As seen on Rachel Ray's tours of Europe on $40/day.