PlanetEye

The search for incredible Tuscan food and wine is never ending. To add to the list of great osteria’s in Florence, you’ll find Le Mossacce, located near the Duomo in the center of town on Via del Proconsolo. You will be greeted by the informal and sincerely open arms of the Fantoni-Mannucci family which for over 50 years has run this restaurant always preserving the local gastronomic traditions. With delicious and inexpensive food, locals and businessmen alike, few tourists find their way here, but should. Sure it’s tiny and can be quite loud, but this is where the real food is found. Sharing a table is standard and a great way to meet someone new. Don’t bother asking for a printed menu, be bold and take one of the specialty dishes of the day, or whatever your waiter suggests. My favorite is a hearty soup or pasta, but many other guests seemed to be enjoying their meat dishes, the Osso Buco in particular looked delicious! Try their house Chianti or a selection off their wine list.

The best part about Le Mossacce is the price. Two people can have a full meal including wine for around 40€.

Via del Proconsolo 55r, Florence

Open Mon-Fri 12 noon-2:30pm and 7pm-9:30pm

Phone: 055-294-361

This simple, family style restaurant promises some of the most impressive “Rustic Tusca” cuisine in the area. Known for their fantastic white bean dishes and the Ribollita, fresh pasta, soups, fantastic antipasto starters, braised pork dishes, and seafood risotto. They also have a simple yet delicious selection of Tuscan wines. Always ask what the chef or waiters suggest to go with your meal, as they are very good at recommending wines that bring out the flavors in the meal you’re having. This is a real locals’ place, so you need to make reservations. Located by the Roman gate (Porta Romana), about a 20 minute walk from Piazza della Signoria across the Arno. €20-25 per person.

Da Ruggero (closed Tues./Wed.)

Via Senese 89r

Phone: 055-220542

Not just a regular wine bar here in Florence, the Coquinaros Wine Bar lets you go in at any time of day for a snack. Located just next to the Duomo, this is a quick retreat from the heavy crouds and soon to be overwhelming heat.

You can try cold dishes, such as meat or fish carpaccios, avocado salads, feta cheese, nuts and carrots, Tuscan salami and a selection of their wonderful cakes (asparagus cake!). They also have a wonderful selection of Italian, Californian, Chilean and Argentine wines to go with you meal. They also have great hand made pasta dishes.

Address:

15r Via delle Oche

If your travels have left you hungry for fantastic traditional Tuscan food, this simple restaurant is a must. Alla Vecchi Bettola is nestled away from the tourists on the Santo Spirito side of the river, near the Piazza del Carmine but is worth the 15 minute trek from Ponte Vecchio. Here you’ll find some of the best Florentine steak in town, and the amazing array of meat dishes will not disappoint. For the adventurous, try some of the house specials, Penne alla Bettola in spicy cream tomato sauce, rigatoni dressed with crushed olives, or riso sulle testicciole d’agnello (a "local’s" rice dish cooked in a halved sheep’s head). Secondi range from anatra ripiena tartufata (stuffed duck in truffle sauce) to the superlative carpaccio con rucola -- pounded disks of beef piled high with arugula and tissue-thin slices of pecorino cheese. The wine list is simple, and usually the house wine will suffice, but the hosts also cater to their international clientele with a small selection of French wines. This restaurant is becoming more and more popular, so be sure to go now and enjoy the local flavor.

34r Via Luigi Ariosto

Phone ++-39-055-22.41.58

Open Tues-Sat noon-2:30pm and 7:30-10:30pm