Firenze

I checked in to the Rivoli Hotel late in the afternoon from a series of long flights and connection completely exhausted and starving. I had seen the restaurant... read more I checked in to the Rivoli Hotel late in the afternoon from a series of long flights and connection completely exhausted and starving. I had seen the restaurants reviews, and decided I’d try to get a last minute reservation, which I luckily did — and it was worth every penny! The staff were extremely friendly and the food was divine. I ordered the rigatoni cacio e pepe and the beef in chianti. Excellent small portions by American standards yet both dishes were beautifully laid out, extremely tasty, and the portions perfect to be served in sequence. I finished with a vin santo dessert with crumbled cantucci which should not be missed. The staff were extremely helpful and very efficient, explaining how food was prepared and making great recommendations and suggestions. I highly recommend a visit for an excellent Tuscan meal for a bit of a splurge.

After being turned away by full restaurant after full restaurant, I wandered bleary-eyed and starving into Ristorante Benedicta. The servers were so solicitous.... read more After being turned away by full restaurant after full restaurant, I wandered bleary-eyed and starving into Ristorante Benedicta. The servers were so solicitous. They fit me in despite it being a busy night, and I was treated with the utmost kindness. My squid ravioli was absolutely perfect (that sauceee), and the roasted pear dessert was wonderful. I heard over and over the staff getting to know their patrons like friends. It was a lovely experience, and I highly recommend.

This place is real fancy, really tasty food and we sat in the garden out back. The guy serving us explained to us what everything the stuff on the menu was, lik... read more This place is real fancy, really tasty food and we sat in the garden out back. The guy serving us explained to us what everything the stuff on the menu was, like he just went through the whole list and told us what it was and why he liked it. He managed to flog us a bottle of wine too using all the buzzwords like elegant and smooth. We bit hook line and sinker. The price was real high like but worth it if you want to live like someone who wears a tie. Small portions too but yknow that’s posh places for you.

Very well-kept location, very kind and courteous staff that makes you feel at home, good the Fiorentina, present Tuscan dishes revisited and appreciated. Recomm... read more Very well-kept location, very kind and courteous staff that makes you feel at home, good the Fiorentina, present Tuscan dishes revisited and appreciated. Recommended!

The center of Florence is full of good restaurants, but this, behind S. Maria Novella, stands out for the passion and competence of the owners, for the care in... read more The center of Florence is full of good restaurants, but this, behind S. Maria Novella, stands out for the passion and competence of the owners, for the care in the choice of raw materials and for the imagination and technique in the preparation of the dishes. You are pampered by when you enter and guide yourself in choosing what the menu and the wine card offer. Rely on the maize and you will not regret it instead you will come out from the beautiful place (especially if you have eaten in the dehors) with the awareness of having employed your time and your money at best.