Florence restaurants-What do you think of this list?

[mrsjoujou]

We will be in florence in less than two weeks and I came up with this list so far. I like to know if they are still good or they have gone downhill. I appreciate any help.

13 Gobbi
Il guscio
Trattoria Ii poeta
Osteria dell'Olio
Leo
Mesopotamia (donner kebab)
Quattro Amici
Zibibbo
Cafe Gilli or Rivoire- Which one has the best hot chocolate
Il pizzaiuol

Thank you

[Joe H]

Where is Sostanza? They have the best bisteca fiorentina in Italy.
Il Pizziaola (correct spelling) is the best pizzaria in Florence.
Cibreo is the best non Michelin starred restaurant in Florence-where is it? Regardless, it is probably too late for you to get a reservation. This restaurant is enormously popular as is Sostanza where you should make a reservation immediately.

[intrepid]

use google to find locations

[Joe H]

Sorry, I meant where is Sostanza on the list because it should be at the head of it. It is also the oldest trattoria in Firenze dating to the 18th century. It has survived this long serving almost nothing besides bisteca.

[CJT]

We have walked into both Sostanza and Trattoria Cibreo (not the main Cibreo) without reservations and been served. We went about 10 minutes after they opened, before others had reservations. Once, for lunch at Trattoria Cibreo, we waited at the door for them to open and there was just enough room for all of us who did so. This also meant that within 45 minutes, there were plenty of open seats again. Although Cibreo is excellent, the same kitchen serves the restaurant and the trattoria bu the Trattoria has much lower prices (9-11 euro pasta dishes listed at 30 euros on the "big" Cibreo

[rempartner]

see my reply to "too much Tuscan food" above, re Il Santo Bevitore on S Spirito across the river.

[intrepid]

zibibbo is my fave ...let them bring u the meal..let them order it..you sit back on just eat..its fab

[seal]

Mesopotamia is a great choice to break up all the others and my pick for the best donner kebab in the city. By the same token, do eat a sandwich at the Mercado Centrale for lunch one day.

Another place with some different items is La Giostra. Everything is big and delicious and the Austrian desserts alone make it stand out even more.

[kphilbin]

Try Cibreo

[MWileyLach]

Quatro Leoni is fantastic, steps from the ponte vecchio, but off the beaten path in terms of tourists. classic florence tratoria with exceptional food. the pastas are to die for (try the pear, asparagus in a light cream sauce). their grilled meats and foods are also all tastey. they also offer very very pleasant outdoor seating in an pretty piazza.

[Emmmily]

Trattoria Benvenuto on Via dei Neri right behind the Uffizi has great pasta (I reccommend the rabbit sauce) and some of the best herb-roasted potatoes I've ever eaten. Very reasonable prices, not too many tourists. I Frattellini across from Ursanmichele on the road from Il Duomo to the Ponto Vecchio makes a mean sandwich and serves wine, though it's more of a takeout shack than anything else. And of course Vivoli on Via Isola delle Stinche for gelato.

[Indy 67]

I think many feel that there's no longer any "of course" associated with Vivoli for gelato. I prefer Gelateria dei Neri. Still, if I'm near V. delle Stinche my feet seem to cross a certain threshold without too much effort.

[Jankf]

We were in Italy for two weeks and the only restaurant where we would not return is the Trattoria Benvenuto. The four of us were cordial and friendly and could not figure out why the waiter continued to whisper comments to a patron he seemed to know and why he made demeaning gestures aimed at us. He did not realize one of the four of us could see him. The only possible reason we could come up with was that we were Americans. Did he perhaps have a bad experience with some previous American? I don't know, but there was no reason to be so insulting to us. I would certainly not go there again.

[coombe]

I don't blame you! But he might have been saying nice things so don't get too upset.

[aidam.]

Mrsjoujou: Check out this story for restaurants/places we rec in Florence - http://www.chow.com/stories/10516

As for the restos you named, here's my 2 cents:
-13 Gobbi -always a classic though nothing is AMAZING. i like it best for soup and wine on a cold day.
-Il guscio - One of my friends claims it is his favorite place for Bistecca, but it's never left an impression on me
-Ostera dell'olio - V. good for the price
-4 Amici - Fish is good but I like Ristorante Ricchi (same price) in Santo Spirito better. Or Fuor d'acqua if you can splurge.
-Rivoire's chocolate and hot chocolate is better than Gilli, but Gilli has better marzipan. There is also a chocolate shop near the corner of Borgo Pinti and Via dell'Oriuolo that has amazing hot chocolate.

[mrsjoujou]

Thank you very much. 13 gobbi is out. Il guscio serves dinner at 8:00,so that is out also. I will check out Ristorante Ricchi and can't wait to try the hot chocolate at Rivoire

[mnosyne]

I second both Ricchi and Fuor d'Acqua. Great food at both.

[taliadellacucina]

I think that the shop that you refer to is Vestri.

[mrsjoujou]

Wow,I can't believe no one has anything to say about this list.