Back from 2 weeks in Italy - a week in the Chianti countryside for an Italian course followed by a week solo in Ferrara just to relax. Had one day and night in Florence at the beginning, and wanted to say what a wonderful surprise it was to find a Venetian restaurant in the center of Florence. (I love Tuscan food, but it's also nice to have a change of pace.)
Il Bacaro Fiorentino is located on Via Palazzuolo just a few blocks from Santa Maria Novella train station, and around the corner from both Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella and the Rick-recommended Hotel Palazzo Riblet. In Venice, a "bacaro" is a neighborhood osteria that offers wine and cicchetti (appetizers). Il Bacaro Fiorentino is owned by a Venetian who moved to Florence 20+ years ago, thus the name. They serve dinner, lunch on selected days, and aperitivo with an array of cicchetti. It was a delight to enjoy baccalà montecato, sarde en saor, risi e bisi (rice and peas) and other authentic Venetian dishes that are offered alongside Tuscan dishes. Not touristy although tourists are welcome, and indeed I was welcomed warmly by Endrit, the keeper of the counter. The two tables next to me were locals who told me they eat there weekly, and I can understand why!