Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Mercato Centrale, Piazza del Mercato Centrale; 7am-2pm Mon-Sat)
Forge your way past cheese,
meat and sausage stalls in Florence's Mercato Centrale to join the lunchtime queue at Ner-
bone, in the biz since 1872. Go local and order
trippa alla fiorentina
(tripe and tomato
stew) or follow the crowd with a feisty
panini con bollito
(a hefty boiled-beef bun, dunked
in the meat's juices before serving). Eat standing up or fight for a table.
La Forchetta Rotta
( 055 384 19 98; Via San Zanobi 126r; lunch/dinner €7.50/25; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat)
The res-
taurant arm of the dynamic duo behind Santa Croce's Monkey Bar, this place is stagger-
ingly good value and tasty to boot. Its kitchen caters predominantly to workers from sur-
rounding offices and the result is superb: the pick of three or four homespun
primi,
secondi
and
contorni
(side dishes) for €7.50. The nibble banquet for
aperitivo,
laid out
from 7pm, is equally generous.
TUSCAN
€
Clubhouse
AMERICAN, PIZZERIA
€
( 055 21 14 27;
www.theclubhouse.it
; Via de' Ginori 6r; pizza €6-12, meals €20; noon-midnight)
This cavernous American bar, pizzeria and restaurant is close to the Accademia and
makes for the perfect dining-drinking hybrid any time of day (including Sunday brunch).
Design buffs will appreciate its faintly industrial vibe and foodies will love its pizza-mak-
ing courses. Gluten-free menu, and €7 cocktail
aperitivo
from 6pm.
Antica Trattoria da Tito
( 055 47 24 75;
www.trattoriadatito.it
;
Via San Gallo 112r; meals €30; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat)
The 'No well-done meat here' sign strung in the window says it all: the best of Tuscan
culinary tradition is the only thing this iconic trattoria serves. In business since 1913, Da
Tito does everything right - tasty Tuscan dishes such as onion soup and wild boar pasta
are served with friendly gusto and hearty goodwill to a local crowd. Don't be shy about
entering.
TRATTORIA
€€
La Cucina del Garga
( 055 47 52 86;
www.garga.it
;
Via San Zanobi 33r; meals €30)
A contemporary reincarnation of
the original Garga - one of Florence's great culinary legends - this newbie kitchen opened
by New York chef Alessandro Gargani sports boldly painted walls crammed with modern
TUSCAN
€€
