476129 Fri Jan 04 11:52:26 -0800 2008 7 58 Italy 0 3261236 My wife and I will be staying in Florence for three nights later this month. Our last night there is her birthday. I'm looking for a special/romantic spot for the evening. Neither of us have spent much time in the city so any other dining recommendations would also be appreciated. Fri Jan 04 11:52:26 -0800 2008 134257 pjeff 1 3263610 Read my recent report "Florence Report December 2007" for some write-up on good restaurants. For one of your special nights, make a reservation for dinner at Teatro del Sale for an outstanding gastronomic experience of great Italian/Tuscan food. After dinner, there is a performance on the stage (singers, musicians, dancers, who knows) and the food buffet (all you care to eat), house wine, and show are all included for the 30 Euro per person price (but you have to join the club: 5 Euros per person for "foreigners"). Sat Jan 05 07:47:25 -0800 2008 3261236 12044 CJT 1 3265079 My favorites in Florence are Garga and Osteria del Benci. Garga is more intimate than Benci. Specific recommendations at Garga are the gorgonzola pasta (WOW!), spaghetti a la Donna Karan (pasta with orange cognac sauce), veal avocado, and the cheesecake. At Benci, the florentine steak and pasta with cherry tomatoes are excellent. Have a great trip and please report back! Sat Jan 05 16:56:24 -0800 2008 3261236 28037 CChow 1 3266327 my fave..zibibbo fits the bill Sun Jan 06 07:39:59 -0800 2008 3261236 11476 intrepid 1 3267469 Cibreo is a wonderful restaurant. I can't wait to eat there again one day! Il Latini is fun but not for that special night. Try to check it out another time though! Good cheap eats. Sun Jan 06 14:53:27 -0800 2008 3261236 145994 tmp24 1 3279250 Just back from Florence.... lots of good meals including Becni and Garga (I thought overpriced)... My choice Da Giovanni. Wed Jan 09 17:39:35 -0800 2008 3261236 156152 spumilia 1 3282367 Just got back from 8 days in Florence (reviews forthcoming, I promise.) My recommendation is Il Santo Bevitore, be sure to make a reservation. We ate there twice. The food is a cool blend of traditional ingredients with creative/modern twists. Homemade pastas and soups were wonderful. Lighting is soft, mostly candles. It is in a touristy part of Florence, but the locals claim it as their own. However, some of the staff speak English and they are able to provide a menu in English. Very strong Tuscan wine selection. Zibbibo is nice and has a great wine list - but it is a haul and felt more like an American restaurant to us. We made reservations at Garga, but didn't end up staying there for our meal. This seemed like an extremely touristy place, and very overpriced (25 Euros for spaghetti with artichokes) for what it is. The decor seemed uncharacteristic of Italy and definitely not romantic (think Disney's idea of Italy in pastels and bright lights.) Thu Jan 10 13:59:41 -0800 2008 3261236 13416 ElissaInPlaya 2 3284454 i m ok with garga, not crazy about it, zibbibo one of my faves, Fri Jan 11 07:24:20 -0800 2008 3282367 11476 intrepid