265867 Fri Apr 15 17:53:45 -0700 2005 5 26 International 0 1402954 I was in Florence for two days a week before Easter last month. The first night we had dinner at LE LANCE (Via G. Mantellini 2/b) in Fiesole. It has a dining room with a lot of modern art and a very nice view overlooking Florence. It also has a pizzeria in an adjacent room. Pastas are in the 10-12 euro range and entrees are in the 14-18 euro range. The wine list was quite reasonable, with a number of quality Chiantis (some Riservas) in the 18-22 euro range. My veal chop was quite good. Dinner the 2nd night was at IL FRANCESCANO trattoria (largo Bargellini 16), which is just off the piazza Santa Croce and to the left of the church. It is on the same street as Baldovino (even though the name of the street changes to via San Giuseppe). The interior has the classic Firenze trattoria 'look,' with marble-topped tables and marble-paneled walls. We were eating with a group of people from a set menu. I thought the crostini were good and the spinach risotto was very good. Prices are moderate. My one gelato find was on via San Giuseppe, a couple of blocks east of Il Francescano & Baldovino. GELATISSIMO (via San Giuseppe 4) is a small, plain, modest storefront with a counter/display case for their gelato and nothing else. I had a chocolate/coconut cone and it was excellent. I have no idea who makes their gelato or how it is made. I hope to get back someday soon to find out. Recommended! I also got to the Mercato Centrale for a boiled beef sandwich at NERBONE. Quite a scene to see and a bit of an effort to get to the front of the line, but well worth it. Be sure to get both the red and greeen salsas on your sandwich - delicious. Finally, I would like to plug TADDEI (via Santa Margherita 11, a couple of blocks south of the Duomo towards the Arno River). The proprietor is a master craftsman (3rd generation) who makes the most beautiful small leather boxes you have ever seen. You can buy one for as little as 21 euros. Fri Apr 15 17:53:45 -0700 2005 0 DavidT 1 1402955 I also had gelato at CARABE (via Ricasoli, a little north of the Academia, near piazza San Marco). They specialize in Sicilian ices. I had the kiwi ice, which seemed to have an odd taste to it. The hot chocolate with whipped cream at RIVOIRE (piazza Signoria 5) is as magnificent as ever! Fri Apr 15 19:13:21 -0700 2005 1402954 0 DavidT 1 1403195 I am enraptured with Taddei. I was in Florence the 18th through the 22nd of March, and I bought two heart shaped boxes plus a business card case at Taddei. Incredible workmanship! This was my husband's first trip to Italy, and he loved the gelato. In Florence, Perche No, Vivoli, and Carabe totally spoiled him. He is lamenting the lack of almond ice stateside. Meal highlights were two dinners at Cinghiale Bianco - standout was a dish called straccetti con rucola e pomodoro (thinly sliced beef grilled, then heaped with chiffonade arugula and chopped tomatoes) and pappardelle with a wild boar ragu - and lunch (bistecca) at Mario's Trattoria. We also spent time in Venice, Verona, & Milan, staying with relatives I'd met before in the latter city, plus a crazy 26 hour jaunt to Rome to visit more relatives we'd never laid eyes on but who walked our legs off, loved us, and treated us like they'd known us forever. Sun Apr 24 23:45:53 -0700 2005 1402954 0 Christine Vallejo 2 1403251 Another TADDEI fan, that is great!. I first visited the shop in 1992, when they were south of the Arno, across the street from the Pitti Palace. I think the shop moved in 1993. Their new location is not easy to find. Tue Apr 26 12:11:22 -0700 2005 1403195 0 DavidT 2 1403366 What exactly was in Fiesole? Looking for shops and restaurants, or nightlife. Thanks! Thu Apr 28 14:34:53 -0700 2005 1403195 0 karen peterson 3 1403388 Sorry, but the only time I ventured into Fiesole was to have dinner at LA LANCE, which I don't think is near the center of the town. As a result, I cannot make any comments about what there is to see or do in 'downtown' Fiesole. Fri Apr 29 12:16:35 -0700 2005 1403366 0 DavidT