This review pains me because up until last night, my wife and I had four 5 star experiences at la Giostra. Last night they missed. :-( The darned thing here is, on this vacation, we made a side trip to Florence just to eat there. Our hostess was terrific. All smiles and seated us immediately. We did have a reservation, which I highly recommend. Our waiter arrived quickly and provided menus and an attitude. He actually scowled and shook his head when I asked him a question about the menu. We asked for the specials and he went through them quickly. He came back a few minutes later and we ordered an appetizer and pasta. We asked to keep one menu so we could order a second course later. The assistant waiter arrived quickly with our wine and complimentary aperitivo. Delicious! That's when things continued to fall apart. Appetizer was good, but nothing to write home about. For the pasta course, I had tortellini with truffles. FANTASTIC. My wife had risotto with mushrooms. It was so less than tasty, she didn't finish it. At some point however, we expected to hear back from our waiter so we could order the second course. BUT WE NEVER SAW THE JERK AGAIN. I'm not a dessert guy, but my wife enjoys that course when we go out, so after deciding to skip the main course, she still wanted something sweet. Fortunately, the hostess walked by and my wife asked for tiramisu, which again was served by the assistant waiter. It was average. After coffee, we licked our wounds and left, just really disappointed with the "good food / bad food" experience and less than stellar service. Man, what a let down. If the waiter shares tips, the assistant and hostess lost out on what they should have earned. Fortunately, the evening weather was perfect and the street players in the della Signorina were wonderful. They saved the night! read more

It was an unforgettable night. My parents went to celebrate their golden wedding. They helped us to give them the rings, put a special song for them, a cake with candles, and they recorded everything to have a memory. Diner was wonderful. Food luscious. Very friendly staff.Great restaurant. Thanks to the restaurant and its help, my parents had a night that they never forget. read more

Wow! Wow! This is Florence! Tucked away, very intimate. The walls are hand plastered and covered with photos. The staff are quick and well informed. We started with s complimentary glass of Pro Secco and they followed with a wonderful array of appetizers. The goose liver is fantastic! The eggplant is excellent as well. The pappardelle with wild boar was so good, you just didn't want it to end. The tomato sauce was perfect. The boar just right. This restaurant is family owned and has been for decades. It was started by the Prince of Florence and his son is still involved. The building was the old storage area for the carousel. read more

This restaurant is phenomenal. The best food my husband and I have had in Italy so far! Upon sitting down we were poured a complimentary glass of prosecco, followed by a plate of assorted appetizers. When we started looking at the menu, we realized it was all in Italian (a very good sign to us!), and the friendly and helpful waiter helped us translate and provided recommendations. We ordered a bottle of white wine, the pear and ricotta ravioli, the wild boar pasta, and the veal scallopini limone. Every bite was to die for. When we were finished, they offered us limoncello, which was also excellent. We loved this place - so much so, when we left we made reservations for the following night. read more

This feels like an Olive Garden, Florence. You're surrounded by a bunch of Americans eating mediocre pasta and, sadly, overwhelmed staff. For 15-20 Euros per app and much more for entrees and wine, you can do much better. Just hit the OG when you're home. At least they have all you can eat breadsticks. read more

There is alot of restaurants in florens and this is ok but nothing special. It have become quite famous so its a little pricy though. Its only tourists at the restaurant mostly from US. Had a few courses and nothing to complain about. But to much tourists and to expensive. read more

This restaurant was my favorite on my 9 day trip to Italy. We were greeted with complimentary antipasti along with prosecco which was inviting and delicious. In general, the pasta in Italy is amazing and cooked al dente. However, the pasta here was at the upper echelon of what I've had here. We ordered the well known pear ravioli and also the spaghetti di mare. The pear ravioli was cooked perfectly and had a subtle sweetness at the finish; the ricotta inside provided the foundation; the sauce was a nice luxurious touch. The life changing pasta for me was the spaghetti di mare; it was perfection. Often times when ordering seafood dishes, the seafood gets overcooked and tough; however, this dish executed each grouping of seafood perfectly. The octopus, shrimp, mussels, calamari, and clam was beautifully paired with the al dente spaghetti. It was pure bliss eating this masterpiece of flavor and texture. As for the main, we ordered the bistecca fiorentina which was cooked perfectly rare had the appropriate seasoning and had well executed sides of potato and another vegetable. We opted to skip dessert as our waitress stated that most are prepared for dinner service. The chef was nice enough to take a picture with me, and actually came to the dining room for us. That was greatly appreciated. We will be coming back tomorrow for our final meal in Italy. Needless to say I am very excited. read more

My friend recommend this restaurant, and sadly I was very disappointed. Like other reviews, this place is a tourist trap. The tables inside are very cramped, though the ceiling lights are very pretty. We had the burrata and pear ravioli as those were rated highly on Yelp and Trip Advisor. The pear and cheese ravioli is their house specialty, yet it was very underwhelming. The pasta was very hard on the edges and the pear was barely detectable. The gnocchi tasted better. The burrata was fresh, but not worth it for 20 euro. Also, the staff were not particularly friendly or entertaining and all the patrons around us spoke English, another indication that the locals do not dine here and it is a tourist trap. We never saw the Prince and the whole dining experience was forgettable. Don't waste your time or money and find another hidden gem instead. read more

The food and service here was very special. La Giostra is one of the finest restaurants in Florence. We were lucky to stumble across this restaurant last minute and get a table. Definitely the type of restaurant that you want to make reservations in advance, because more then likely they will be full. Also if you have Celiac, they make wonderful Gluten-free pasta dishes. read more

I was so excited to come here as it was the number one recommendation made by all my friends and family who'd previously been to Florence. While it was definitely a positive experience overall, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed still - the food was good but not outstanding, and prices were quite high for the resulting portion sizes. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with plush seats and twinkling lights and attentive service. None of that rude American tourist treatment crap. We had a 9 PM reservation for 3 made weeks in advance; apparently this place fills up fast so definitely book early! When we arrived, our server welcomed us and generously brought out complimentary glasses of prosecco and some antipasto. Both were on the house so I shouldn't say too much, though I didn't love the antipasto platter - it didn't taste particularly fresh and the bread was a bit stale. We then got the octopus carpaccio as an appetizer; this did taste fresh, thankfully, though the raw fish flavor was so pungent that none of us could manage more than a few bites. We kept asking for more lemon to try to cut the taste a bit, but it was pretty much a hopeless case. Maybe the dish just wasn't my sort of thing. Afterwards we all had the pear ravioli. This was good, it was great, in fact, but I don't think I'd go so far to pronounce it as the 'best ravioli in the world', as so many have. It really isn't all that extraordinary tasting though I did like the sweetness from the pear; plus, it's quite a hefty price to pay for five measly pieces. We ended the night on a tiramisu. Slightly lumpy looking but creamier than a lot of others I've had, it was pretty good all around. Also quite pricey, but I suppose that's to be expected given the restaurant's ambience and reputations. I don't think this is the first place I'd stop at in Florence for a meal, though everything was overall decent. There are a lot of better quality restaurants at this price point and lower. read more

This is a do not miss in Florence....incredible atmosphere for everyone! From romantic to enjoying your friends and family it's a must! Complimentary Prosecco when you arrive. Fantastic food -appetizer bruschetta and don't miss out the gorgonzola gnocchi. Too full for desert but limoncello was on the house! Great staff and service all around. read more

La Giostra - What a Great night! - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

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Their food is amazing! I would recommend their steak followed by one of the delicious wines. A great place for wine lovers with a wide selection. The place is full of pictures and wines, has a unique style. The staff is very welcoming and polite. Had a good time there read more

Phenomenal first dinner in Italy! We entered the magical restaurant and were created by delicious olives and prosecco on the house. Our waiter was the owner of twenty years. He helped us choose our dishes quickly. He choose the buratta with grape fruit which was amazing. It comes with honey, toasted pine nuts, and fig jam. The geek salad was also delicious. Our main courses were phenomenal. A roasted fillet of Bronzino and brandy sautéed shrimp served both with out of this work roasted vegetables. The cappuccino foam capped an amazing night. Definitely with be back! read more

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Was here 10 years ago and vowed to come back, which can sometimes not be the best idea. It was better than I remembered. We were 8 people, hard to get a rsservation 1 month in advance, but did it on line and well worth. Food and service top notch. Grazie!!!! read more

One of the best restaurants in Florence. They welcome you with a free class of prosecco along with a free aperitivo plate. Their burrata appetizer is amazing, definitely order it. I got the shelled seafood spaghetti in white wine sauce - BEST MEAL EVER. The inside is so cute and the waiters are so helpful. Only downside was their pinot grigio was weird and their menu is all in Italian, but they help you out. read more

La Giostra - Seafood Spaghetti in white wine sauce - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

DO NOT GO TO GIOSTRA IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE A PEASANT!!! I'm not a picky person, but I had one of the worst dining experiences of my life at Giostra. The waiters were pretentious, patronizing, and treated us like second-class citizens. It was so blatantly obvious. It was clear from the start that they had no respect for a young American couple. We started by buying a 40 euro bottle of wine... Not once did our waiter refill our empty glasses for us. Yet, I watched him consistently top off the half-full glasses of couples who were clearly older/more established than us. When we ordered our meals, he replied "That's all? Nothing else? No appetizer?"... Apparently we didn't order enough for him. It was horrifyingly obvious. Another young, American couple was seated next to us. They asked for the check and put a gift card in with their credit card. The waiter returned the card, but never applied the gift card to the transaction. When the couple complained, he said that he hadn't realized it was a gift card & he refused to re-run the transaction. I encouraged them to ask again, and when they did, he said it was "impossible" to re-run the purchase with the gift card.... BS!!!! We asked for our check, and luckily my boyfriend looked it over because there was a 28 euro charge for a bottle of wine that we did not purchase. How could that even happen? The bottle that we actually ordered, wasn't even the same thing... I swear, I think they added it on purpose. Oh, and the food wasn't even good. Go to Parione instead of Giostra--The food is absolutely excellent and the service was fabulous! Great experience there. read more

I cannot say enough about this restaurant! A beautiful and romantic atmosphere. Reservations are a must. We told them we were on our honeymoon and once seated immediately given a round of prosecco on the house. We took all the recommendations provided from our waiter with no regrets! Then a beautiful (and delicious) complimentary plate of various appetizers were brought to the table-- chicken liver pate, bruschetta, cabbage salad, spinach and cheese fritters, grilled veggies and mortadella. We thoroughly enjoyed (and I highly recommend) three appetizers after that-- beef carpaccio with fresh tomatoes, arugula and Parmesan, pear ravioli and tortellini with fresh tomatoes. The hubby had the filet with potatoes and said it was the best he'd ever had. I had the sea bass with zucchini and potatoes, so tender and filling! We then ordered the rice gelato with fresh strawberries... Unbelievable (and another suggestion from the waiter). After we paid, they gave us some limoncello and biscotti with chocolate truffles... Just an amazing and unforgettable dinner! read more

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La Giostra was recommended by an acquaintance who absolutely loved the truffle dishes. I made it my business to make reservations via e-mail before my trip to Florence. When the BF & I walked through the door, we were delighted to see the dark, star light ambiance. It was just magical. While waiting to be seated for a minute or two, we noted on the walls the photos of many famous faces who have frequented this restaurant, from Brad Pitt to George Lucas amongst many others. The complimentary glass of Prosecco and antipasto given at the beginning of the meal was a nice touch. The menu is all in Italian - you can ask for translation when needed. We ordered a bottle of wine, gnocchi, and steak with arugula, cheese, buttered potato, and carrots - (no truffle dishes because it was not in season ). The presentation of the wine was awe-inspiring. The server poured a little wine into a large wine glass then aerated the wine using a decanter. BF is not much of a wine drinker but this demonstration really had him excited. The gnocchi was tasty but the steak was the star of the show - juicy and tender. The potato and the carrots that came as sides were just buttery and melts in your mouth perfectly. We enjoyed every bite and did not want it to finish. Needless to say, we had a splendid time at La Giostra and wouldn't hesitate to go back when we are back in Florence. read more

Amazing food and atmosphere! Top notch service! By far our favorite restaurant in Italy!!! read more

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I came for the first time in 2014, and told everyone it was my favorite restaurant in the whole world. Came back last night, and don't know how to describe the disappointment. I made a reservation 6 weeks in advance, and upon getting there my fiancé and I were sat at a table that hung at least two feet out into the doorway/walkway from the waiting area into the restaurant. He was bumped and knocked by every, single, staff that needed to deliver anything. I was in direct line of the front door, which was frequently left open blasting me with cold air. We asked to move, they wouldn't. We also saw three other parties of two arrive after us and get a nice table actually in the restaurant no problem. The fact they even placed a table here is beyond me, do yourself a favor and make sure you request to NOT get sat here. We might has well have eaten in the waiting area. Aside from getting the short end of the stick there, I ordered the filet with balsamic reduction medium rare. It came well done, and tougher than a hockey puck. It was drowning in the reduction, that overpowered everything on the plate. We came to have a nice night to celebrate our engagement that happened the night before, and I can't remember a more unpleasant dining experience in my life. read more

We actually stumbled upon this gem en route to a different restaurant, and couldn't have been happier that we did! What caught our attention was the lighting in the restaurant which was dimly lit with candles and small orange lights draping the ceiling - very romantic! We were greeted with complimentary prosecco once seated as well as a complimentary appetizer platter. I ordered the pear ravioli which is what the restaurant is famous for and my boyfriend had the Gorgonzola gnocchi. Both of us loved the dish that we ordered! The waiter poured our bottle of wine like a pro, swishing it around the decanter and making a show of it. We enjoyed a romantic dinner by candlelight and couldn't have asked for a more perfect first dining experience in Firenze! read more

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I have been to this restaurant twice since being here and am looking forward to coming back again soon! It is one of the best meals I've had in Florence and best meals I've had to date! The evening starts out with complimentary prosecco and an appetizer platter from the chef. There is a variety of options on this platter to suit everyone's palate. Unfortunately, since I have some food allergies I haven't been able to try any of it, but my roommate says everything is very delicious! On one occasion, the waiter did bring out a separate plate for me, but this didn't happen the second time that I dined here. We started off with the burrata, which is hands down the best burrata I've ever had! You will be ruined for any future ones that you have after this. That's how good it is! The burrata comes with grapefruit segments, honey, fig jam, and nuts. For dinner, I had the osso bucco. While it's most certainly not the "tenderest" I've had, its flavor makes up for it. The carrots that are served with it are out of this world. I hate carrots and ate every last one. My roommate got the spinach ravioli and said it was absolutely amazing! On the other occasion that we dined here, she got the gnocchi with pistachios. In addition to our meal, we also got a side of sautéed spinach in garlic and olive oil. So delicious and flavorful! If only the spinach I cooked at home tasted so good. For dessert, my roommate got the Tiramisu and I got the chocolate cake. Both were absolutely amazing! While the restaurant can be a little bit pricy, especially if you order wine, it's worth every penny. The atmosphere is great, the service is great, and the food is great! If you're traveling to Florence, you must add this restaurant to your list! Allergies: This restaurant was very accommodating to my food allergies (peanuts, tree nuts, and coconut) read more

I have been waiting to go to this infamous Michelin star restaurant for a while so I was so excited when I finally made a reservation for six people at 10pm on a Friday night. Upon arrival we were given a glass of prosecco. Sadly we had to wait 35 minutes for our table to be ready, in return for our wait we were given several more glasses of prosecco. However it is still annoying to have to wait so long. Eventually when we were seated I was able to get immersed in the interesting rock music and very well designed interior, the lights all over the ceiling was particularly cool. The staff were very attentive to us which is important to look for in a restaurant. I ordered a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino - castiglion del Bosco. It was really really tasty as expected. I also ordered the chicken covered in honey which was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had in my life, which is really saying something. read more

La Giostra was a first class dining experience for us in Florence while celebrating our honeymoon. The on the house prosecco and appetizer was also a bonus. We both ordered a pasta dish (carbonara and pear gnocchi) as well as the Florentine steak. The pasta was cooked perfectly as well as the steak. The only thing I did not like was the cheesecake for dessert. Great food, great wine, wonderful dining experience! read more

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This was a perfect restaurant for our first evening of our honeymoon. Tucked away on a narrow street was this small, intimate, and romantically lit place. The complimentary prosecco and a tasting of appetizers ( which may be enough for you to skip ordering one yourself) was a nice touch. My wife and I shared all 3 courses and we left extremely satisfied. Our first course was a huge platter of beef carpaccio with Parmesan and arugula. It was awesome! As you have probably read, their pear ravioli is everything it is cracked up to be and it is a must order. We finished the meal with a roasted branzino in a red wine reduction with cherry tomatoes. It was cooked perfectly and tasted great. They knew it was our honeymoon and they brought out a chocolate cake with candles. We smiled while they were playing our favorite band - The Counting Crows- in the background and finished our bottle of wine. The whole evening cost 146 euro ($185 US) and was totally worth it. The perfect romantic restaurant. read more

Everything was just how I remembered it, absolutely delicious!! If you visit Florence please check out La Giostra!!! read more

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This was quite possible some of the best food I have ever had. My husband and another couple wanted to head out for a more authentic and Traditional Tuscan/florentine meal, originally going elsewhere when we realized they didn't take credit cards. We stumbled upon this restaurant on Yelp about 5min before we started walking. From first impression it looked extremely romantic and the menu was only in Italian (good sign of a really authentic meal). We made a reservation on the spot and were sat almost immediately. For starters; we were given some of the best Prosecco (which was complimentary) and gave our orders. We ordered the Fiorentina alla Fiorentina (a 3lb florentine T-bone steak), a filetto with bacon and some delicious sauce, and ravioli con spinaci e ricotta. We had an antipasti provided which consisted of sautéed vegetables, bruschetta, mortadella, and this spinach/ricotta cookie which I savored every bite. Our secondi arrived a bit afterwards. Now, I'm not much of a red meat person at all, but when in Firenze you try the steak and DAMN was it impressive. Both the T-Bone and the Filetto was unreal, as I ordered the ravioli and was in heaven. SO. GOOD! The ambience was so suiting for the area we were in and we had such good company while enjoying watching locals hanging out in the streets. The entire meal was definitely an expense but for the quality of food we had, it was worth every euro. This place is highly recommended if you're ever in Florence! read more

Major food coma! The story goes like this...we received prosecco and appetizers on the house as soon as we sat down. The appetizers included bruschetta, pate on crostini, fish balls and antipasti, which set the standard for dinner! For dinner we had seafood pasta and carbonara...it was perfectly cooked. We were content at that moment. But then came our second course to share, steak florentine - 3 lbs (without the bone). The meat was cooked perfectly medium rare and it just melted in your mouth. Glad my husband knows how to eat as he ate most of it. You can't end dinner without something sweet! Last but not least - we ordered ricotta cheesecake with strawberry sauce. The dessert was warm and heavenly. Did I write...food coma...! Definitely recommend this place. Very romantic!!! read more

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This was the best meal we had in all of Italy!! We shared the spinach ravioli and rib eye. AMAZING! I still dream about both :) read more

First off: no longer cash only! They gladly took our card. I could start and end this review with "lives up to the hype." But I'll delve into more detail because this place needs to get its Michelin star. First off, what I neglected to note before entering is the restaurant's aesthetic: I looked up and felt like I was in a rendition of Starry Night. The vibe was incredibly romantic, but I still enjoyed every minute of it while dining with my mother. Every staff member--from the host to the servers to the waiters--were a pleasure to interact with. Highlights were of course the famed pear ravioli (less sweet than you'd imagine!) as well as the complimentary prosecco and delicious aperetivo plate (large enough to serve as a meal for one!). The most pleasant surprise of the evening happened through our big leap to go with another steak rather than the balsamic--and what a decision it was! At the recommendation of the waiter, we dined on a strip steak that is sliced and served under flavorful strips of Parmesan and a bed of arugula; the tenderly amazing potatoes and vegetable still come on the side. Finish both those plates off with the tiramisu and you'll have had as perfect a first night in Firenze as we did. Also, fair warning: the Limoncello they offer you as a complimentary "digestive" drink with your check is as strong as any liquor I've ever had. Not complaining, but you've been warned! read more

La Giostra - The beautiful ceiling! Like dining under the stars. - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

The best food on our trip thru Italy! An advanced reservation is recommended ... however.... We checked in at the hotel Mona Lisa and walked right over to the restaurant. They were so full and told us we had to wait to see if there would even be room for the two of us. They gave us prosecco while we were waiting and eventually we got a table and had the 'to die for' pear and ricotta ravioli, and then our Gastro feast began!!! read more

This place is a must if you are in Florence! Get the pear ravioli and you will not regret it. When you walk in you are greeted with Prosecco and bread, and they had the best service and very attentive. read more

Great service. Great food. The interior of the restaurant is super romantic and the food is really good. I recommend this place read more

La Giostra - Tuscan Near Me - Florence, FI

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Fantastic food.! Best meal we had in Italy. My girlfriend and I had two pasta courses, spaghetti bolognese and pear ravioli, which were both very delicious. We then had the fiorentina steak which was spectacular. Service is slow, which is very typical at restaurants in Italy, but everyone was very nice/friendly. The staff spoke great English too which was helpful. read more

One of the best restaurants in Florence. When you sit down you get a complementary glass of prosecco. The pear ravioli and truffle pasta both are to die for. Visiting this restaurant is a MUST. read more

#1 - make a reservation at least a day ahead of time! 2- Nice place, count on large free appetizer in the beginning and a glass of champagne. Food is great, tasty and versatile. No English menu, but they will translate for you read more

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This place was hands down the best meal we had in Florence. We started with the arugula salad and the prosciutto and melon which were both absolutely amazing. For our next course we ordered the pear ravioli and the bolognese (which came ravioli style) and was perfect. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. We also had the waiter surprise us with a rigatoni that was equally as amazing. I had a glass of the house red wine that paired perfectly with all of the dishes. For desert we finished with the tiramisu. The tiramisu wasn't to sweet and it wasn't to creamy, it was perfect. As I mentioned in at first, hands down the best meal in Florence. I'll be back if I'm ever in Florence again! read more

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Business Owner (Soldano D.'s) comment on your review: We are not a Michelin star restaurant. To even have even one star is a huge deal, not 5 as you mentioned, but we guess you have seen the stickers on the door, that's another story... Michelin sends those to who is reviewed on they're travel guide... anyway, thank you again, and enjoy your stay in Florence. Reply to Owner Hi Soldano, I appreciate your reply. I read about your "Michelin stars" in another Yelp review (Roserry Y) who visited your restaurant just last month. Her review is just a few under mine. Her review is where I got my information about your Michelin stars. Then on your restaurant door front, I saw a number of references to Michelin so I naturally assumed what she wrote to be true. But it appears she got her information wrong and for that reason, I probably judged your restaurant more strictly than I normally do since I was holding La Giostra to a much higher standard. Sorry about that. But we did have some positive moments at your restaurant - especially the Seafood Spaghetti and Four Cheese Ravioli. And it was nice of the manager to stop by our table at the end of the night to see if all went well and he told us you were out of town. Florence is a beautiful city - you're lucky to live here and have such great success with your restaurant. Best to you! read more

Florence is well know for its tourist traps however it does also have some amaxing restaurants. La Giostra certainly sits in the latter category. Run by a Hapsburg Lorena prince and his twin sons this is a taste of the old world. The food and wine are out of this world and this is not one to be missed. The best meal I have ever had anywhere! read more

Hands down the best restaurant i have ever been to in my life!!!!! I still dream about the pear ravioli! Everything and i mean everything we had was exceptional, the lamb chops melted in your mouth and i don't even like lamb!! The service was great, the manager Miri was extremely professional and friendly. It was a great experience and it's a must go if you are in florence, top notch location too right by the Duomo! read more