Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
Santa Maria Novella
L'Osteria di Giovanni
MAP
TUSCAN
€€
GOOGLE MAP
( 055 28 48 97;
www.osteriadigiovanni.it
; Via del Moro 22; meals €35; dinner Mon-Fri, lunch & din-
ner Sat & Sun)
It's not the decor that stands out at this friendly neighbourhood eatery, it's the
cuisine: Tuscan and creative. Think chickpea soup with octopus or pear- and ricotta-stuffed
tortelli
(a type of ravioli) bathed in a leek and almond cream. Throw in the complimentary
glass of prosecco and plate of
coccoli
(traditional Florentine salted fritters) as
aperitivo
and
you'll return time and again.
Oh, and did we mention the subsequent glass of Vin Santo with home-made
cantucci
(hard, sweet biscuits - to dunk into the wine) at the end of the meal?
Il Latini
( 055 21 09 16;
www.illatini.com
; Via dei Palchetti 6r; meals €35; lunch & dinner Tue-Sun)
A veter-
an guidebook favourite built around melt-in-your-mouth
crostini
(toast)
,
Tuscan meats, fine
pasta and roasted meats served at shared tables. There are two dinner seatings (7.30pm and
9pm), with service ranging from charming to not so charming. Bookings mandatory.
TRATTORIA
€€
TOP OF CHAPTER
5
San Lorenzo & San Marco
Trattoria Mario
(
www.trattoriamario.com
; Via Rosina 2; meals €20; noon-3.30pm Mon-Sat, closed 3 wks Aug; )
Ar-
rive by noon to ensure a stool around a shared table at this noisy, busy, brilliant trattoria - a
legend that retains its soul (and allure with locals) despite being in every guidebook.
Charming Fabio, whose grandfather opened the place in 1953, is front of house while big
brother Romeo and nephew Francesco cook with speed in the kitchen.
TUSCAN
€
