5. La Giostra

Tourist trap
While the atmosphere indeed romantic and the staff speaks English very well (for a reason as you don't find many Italians in this please) the food was at best "reasonable", and their wine serving rituals nothing short of joke. The restaurant needs to start thinking quality over quantity, if you're seated near the kitchen door, you better be a smoker as every time the door goes up (which it does quite a bit!), you get a whiff of tobacco smoke, evidence that your food is prepared with the extra garnish of smoke. Sadly, this please play up to the metaphor that Americans are so easy to impress when it comes to food: Big portions, plastic stuff on the wall, a few strings of Christmas tree lights in the ceiling, and insisting on a menu only in Italian to make it look so "oh romantic and true Italian". For the experienced food and wine lover, stay away from this place and leave it those who believe in above description, - personally I took offense as a professional in the industry, and thankfully I have had some fantastic meals in Italy - and in Tuscany - and my experience on May 9,, 2009 will not lower my love of Italian cooking The Chef

This was the highlight of our dining experience in Florence. We made reservations but still had to wait because the word has spread that this is THE place to go for fine dining. And it was worth the wait, believe me! The chef/host/owner is gracious and personable and the wait staff is charming. Everyone speaks English so well and so comfortably here that you forget you are in Italy - until of course the marvelous food arrives...You will leave here well-fed and very happy. Bon appetite!