In Florence, there are so many options for Bistecca alla Florentino however we had researched several and made reservations here at first availability. The service was top notch from the time we walked in the door. We were offered a couple seating options and picked the more secluded, romantic feeling spot. We knew we were having the Bistecca so there wasn't alot of discussion needed, however, I wasn't familiar with the white wines local to Italy (being a Resiling or Chenin Blanc drinker). The wait staff was very informative and helpful and recommended a Vermintino which was lovely. Service begins with an amazing assortment of sliced meats, cheeses and brushetta. Then comes the presentation of the steak, beautifully prepared, arrives at the table uncut and the server begins the process of cutting, salting and presenting the entree. Along side the sides you've previously selected. The meat is the most tender, melt in your mouth meat I've ever had. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. Dessert was also included as part of our selection and the cheesecake is very delish. Highly recommend. read more

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We had high expectations when we booked our reservation because we heard Regina is on the list of best steakhouses in the world. We already tried Florentine steak at another well rated restaurant before coming here so we had a good idea of what to expect from the steak. We decided to forego the set menu and only order the steak because we heard the portions are massive and they are. They present to you with 2 steak options: the T bone at about 1.5kg and the Tomahawk at 1.2kg. Since we had the T bone at another restaurant already, so went with the Tomahawk and had it cook rare as recommended. When the steak came they carved the meat table side, but unfortunately the cast iron plate the steak was on wasn't hot at all, and since we got a rare steak, the meat turned code very quickly. The meat of the steak was good, better than the previous steakhouse we went to, but there were tendons which got stuck in my teeth. However, the washroom did not have floss at all and I was taken back by the random graffiti on the bathroom wall while this was supposed to be a fancy steakhouse. All in all, I think this is more of a tourist destination as all the other tables spoke English. Local Italian people don't eat here, and you're better off going to another place that's less pricey. read more

Most delicious steak ever! They bring out the steaks and let you pick the one you want cooked. Our server was so nice and welcoming. She gave us some menu suggestions and they were all great. Had a Chianti recommended by her and it was so tasty. The steak was soft and practically melted in your mouth. The potatoes were creamy and had great flavor. Highly recommend trying this spot. read more

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I had high expectations reading reviews and hearing from friends about this restaurant, and wow did they deliver! I can see why it is a top steakhouse in the world. The service was exceptional, and able to answer all our questions about the different cuts of meat, wines, and sides. Florentine steaks are massive, so make sure to bring someone to share with! We got a ~1.5 kilo steak, and they cooked it perfectly! The meat was tender and flavorful, and it was a treat to see the steak cut at our table. We also shared a side of the truffle potatoes which complimented the flavors of the steak well. Make sure to leave room for dessert as well! Their cheesecake is the best I have ever had. It was very rich and creamy, and left me wanting a second dessert! read more

Regina Bistecca - Florentine Steak (perfectly cooked!) - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Ciao Bello!!!! This was the perfect steak Florentine experience. The restaurant feels so intimate and you're literally steps away from the duomo. I love the "intellectual" ambiance they have and we thoroughly enjoyed the wine list to help us devour a steak large enough to feed a pack of hungry wolves! Alessandro our server was great! Be hungry when you come to "the Queen of steaks" because the Fiorentia comes with a tiered antipasti that consists of meats, cheeses, and various Bruschetta's. The kitchen politely indulged our "American" request to cook the steak to medium rare plus when it's normally served rare. Nonetheless our entire party of four were in heaven and they couldn't have made a more enjoyable evening. read more

Regina Bistecca - Before - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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You know you want to order the house special, so go ahead. Be aware that it is served rare because the meat is much leaner as a rule than what you might be used to enjoying. That doesn't make it bad, it just makes it different. A nice Bernaise on the side is a good call if you don't enjoy unadorned steak. The flavor of the steak is amazing, make no mistake. They claim their smoky flavor comes from using a cold smoker method involving olive wood. However they manage it, it works. Be careful with the fried dough appetizer, it is very good but very heavy. Split between several people to be safe. If you are on a budget or just want something lighter, you might just order the beef carpaccio as a main course and be completely satisfied. It is truly a treat. The dessert trolley was more modest than expected, but the tiramisu and the fresh pineapple more than made up for the limited choices. The waiters are used to tourists, and are very accommodating and friendly. It is a cozy atmosphere, as long as they are not completely full. I do like that there is background music kept at a reasonable level. Yes, reservations are a must. I would recommend an early seating if you are noise-averse. 4.75 out of 5. read more

If you're coming here for Florentine steak, you'll need to come hungry and with another person. The minimum people is two people for the prefix Florentine steak and it is served table side! You'll get a lot of food and can choose your sides. The crostini tray is a nice start, but the star of the meal of course is the steak. It is big, juicy, and uniquely beefy flavor which I honestly never had before. Absolutely a must try meal when in Florence! The service was quick and helpful to explain the menu and the restaurant has a semi business casual ambiance. read more

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If you can afford one splurge in Florence, I highly recommend dinner at Regina Bistecca. It's a stone's throw away from the Cathedral, and reservations are a good idea. This is the kind of place where I half expect to be told to enter by the service door in the alley. Way too fancy for me. (But actually, they made us feel right at home.) It was probably the most high-end meal I've ever had in my life. They actually bring out a choice of steak knives in a wooden box and allow you to select your own. They serve Florentine Beef and local dishes. It was our first encounter with Zolfini Beans, which are tiny tan beans grown only in Tuscany, and they're incredibly delicious. But the thing you really want to go there for is the Chianina beef. Chianina cattle are an ancient Italian breed that are the largest and heaviest in the world. It is one of the world's oldest domesticated cattle breeds, and it goes back at least 2200 years. Bulls can exceed 3500 pounds, and calves can weigh 110 pounds at birth. They produce a fine-textured beef, and in Italy, it can only be sold by approved butchers, and the receipts include birth date, slaughter date, and ID number so you can verify its authenticity. At the restaurant, the beef is brought to you on an elevated plate and sliced for you. You half expect to hear a choir of angels singing. (And with a market value of about 50 US dollars a pound at the time of this writing, you should be guaranteed a choir of some sort.) But once you've tasted it, you'll understand why. You've heard the expression "melts in your mouth", but this beef does so literally. It disappears in a beefy, savory... I can't explain it. I've never experienced anything like it before. Chewing was an afterthought. It nearly made me swoon. Honestly, if I were in Italy, forget Michelangelo's David. I'd go to Florence just for this restaurant. read more

This was the cutest place with well curated moody decor that created the perfect backdrop for a romantic, candle lit dinner with my wife. Hand selected steak, a fresh, massive Cesar salad, a basket of hot bread, the best bottle of wine I've had all accompanied by a dessert cart that we were too full for. The service was impeccable and they catered to all my wife's curiosities when choosing our steak. read more

The ambiance and service were top notch. We split the Cesar salad and fresh bread for the perfect start. The homemade dressing and shaved parmigiana were delicious. The wine recommendation paired perfectly with the seared steak. They bring out specific cuts of steak for you to choose from and slice it table side and have an array of desserts on a cart. We had no room for dessert, but they looked delectable. read more

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Wow! Regina Bistecca probably takes best meal I had in Italy on my most recent visit. I don't love the food in Italy, something my Mom reminded me of recently when I complained about it again. I'll admit, I didn't see this one coming. My bestie had made the booking for us when I told him he needed to be contributing to the planning of this holiday. He explained to me how "bistecca" was a thing. Me, someone who eats very little red meat would have never known. I had made us a few bookings but was totally game to see his contributions since they are very rare in the form of planning anything. He knocked it out of the park with this one. I saw pics of the place and it looked pretty. He told me I'd like it because it was in an old bookstore, and well... I love books! a lot more than red meat. I had every intention of eating mainly sides and even reminded him on our walk over that he'd probably need to eat most of the meat because I'd only be able to stomach a few tiny bites. I'm laughing at myself now, and wondering who in world was at dinner with my friend because that woman ate damn near half of the massive piece of meat presented to us. We couldn't order the priciest cut that my friend wanted because they can only do that piece rare, and there's just absolutely no way I could do it so we opted for the one down from there which can be prepared Medium rare. The entire evening was so pleasant and I'm extremely grateful for it all. Florence was so over run by tourists (cringe! I'm repulsed by that many people) that any peace and calm to escape it felt most memorable. This meal was one of those occasions. Their dining room is beautiful, service was outstanding, my wine was soooo yummy (had a Sangiovese) and the food - so satisfying and plentiful. The starters (meats, cheeses, breads, veggies) were a complete meal in themselves, the sides (we chose creamed spinach, roasted potatoes), and desserts (I had the tiramisu, he had cheesecake) were all very tasty. I'm not one to recommend meat places, but if you're looking for a fabulous Bistecca experience In Tuscany, this is it! Of course, I was happy to spot their collection of Foodie books when we left. I browsed through the titles which made me very happy - the icing on the cake, of a very lovely experience. Can't beat the walk here either, taking in the Duomo on a full belly and wine makes it that much more fun! read more

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What a wonderful experience, excellent steak and service! We were not rushed at all. We had 2 very knowledgeable waiters throughout our amazing meal. Steak sliced at our table, cooked to perfection. I highly recommend Regina Bistecca while in Florence. read more

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go with an empty stomach and a few other people if you want the foorentine steak. it was good and the sides were too, and the desserts were just ok. My main reason for going was to try florentine steak, though and i was not disappointed! perfect medium rare and they bring the whole steak out still on the bone and cut it in front of you. read more

Total tourist trap. All tourists no locals. Overpriced and food was mediocre. Wine list and service were great. But apps fell flat and bone marrow was beyond disappointing. Steak Florentine (which was $174 for 2) was not anything special. Flavor was good. But not worth the price (rather spend that on Japanese Wagyu) Sides were bland. Milanese was a joke. read more

I've never had a better steak in my life! We made reservations here after getting a recommendation from a Florence local. To say the least, we were wowed beyond expectation. Everything we had here from the antipasti to the cappuccino at the end was some of Florence's best. I'm from Texas where steak is a big deal. I've eaten many steaks in many different places, different cuts, and different preparation. This steak was the best. The dry aging embraces the beef and gives it a nice beefy flavor at the forefront with a tender and gentle texture. Get it rare. I've seen so many people complain about a rare steak. However, if you're really against the tradition you can ask them to make it Medium or Medium Rare. They are willing to accommodate! The service here is amazing! Our reservation was for 7:30, but we got there at 7:00. They were willing to serve us as soon as we walked in, no problem. Our server was so funny and so sweet. He helped us pair a good wine that would compliment our meal from start to finish. The guy also knows how to cut and season a steak to perfection. They do it tableside. Overall, this restaurant is a very relaxed, upscale place. It's got so much history behind the location itself as you'll see on the cards in the table. I've seen complaints about the price. However, I don't see any issue with the price as we got a beautiful three course meal for what I considered a very reasonable price. Absolutely the best steak you will eat in Italy! The only bad part of the meal was realizing we finished the steak! read more

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Came here with my wife, who's a pescatarian. She made the reservations because she wanted me to have "one of the best steaks in Florence". I couldn't order a traditional florentine steak because you need two people to order it, so I ordered the filet. My steak was honestly nothing special but it wasn't bad. The bone marrow appetizer I had was incredible and the truffle potato gratin was also really good. The one dish my wife was able to order was also not bad. The restaurant had almost no AC which was annoying so get ready to sweat. read more

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A friend from Puglia recommended this restaurant to us and we made reservations for our large party of 10 for lunch in advance. It was pretty empty when we got there and the service was really great! Everyone ordered the steak with sides for 2 and we all split. The appetizers they brought out were absolutely amazing! I am still thinking about the selection of cheese and meats they brought to us. The sides we ordered were also very good. The crispy artichokes were perfect and I think sometimes I dream about the creamy truffle potatoes. A side note for American's like us. This place cooks a steak like a true Italian. If you want your steak medium rare, best to order medium. And after a perfect lunch I ordered a slice of tiramisu from their dessert cart. The cream was not too fluffy with really good flavor. Not too much espresso and not too much cocoa powder on the top. Overall a solid slice. 7.75/10 Would definitely eat here again! read more

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Excellent steak! I normally prefer well done (these are not) I figured when in Florence, try a Florentine steak. Steaks are amazing and tender! Amazing experience! I highly recommend! Do not skip on the tartufo pasta! It was amazing and you chances are you may never find it again. The wine was great as well. Oh and desert! I have to stop. I'm getting hungry recalling this information. If you go, Enjoy! read more

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Very good service and ambiance but meal was just okay and pricey. We got the Florentine prix fixe at $69 Euro/person excluding wine. The chef selects the steak and it cooked rare. Which reinforced my preference for medium rare. The knives were dull and the steak was rare meant quite a struggle to pare it down to bite size. The Chianti was a waitress recommend and we enjoyed it. Overall it was an expensive meal that didn't knock my socks off and definitely not one of my top 5 steaks eaten. read more

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My wife travels to Florence often and has visited Regina Bistecca many many times. After hearing great things it was time I made a trip to check it out. The hype is definitely justified and I will have added it to the top 5 steaks I've ever eaten. With that rating please keep in mind I live on a "animal only" lifestyle I eat steak at least 2-3 days a week. I travel the world for work and fun it try out some of the top rated places and yes Regina tops the list. Can't wait to visit again this fall. Pro tip: pay the extra cost for much thinker steak. 1.5-2.5" thick is the best option for cooking I have found. read more

Regina Bistecca - What meat sweats are made of. - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Great food. Great friendly service. Very unique ambiance a former book store. Definitely worth the try!! read more

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"Bistecca alla fiorentina is obtained from the cut of the sirloin (the part corresponding to the lumbar vertebrae, the half of the back on the side of the tail) of a young steer or heifer of the Chianina breed: in the middle it has the T-shaped bone, that is, a T-bone steak, with the fillet on one side and the sirloin on the other." First the good, the appetizer was tasty, the Negroni was pretty good and the bread was warm. However, when the steak came the waitress left. We were served an (in America, atleast) bone in New York strip about an inch and a half thick with a fair bit of fat and gristle, no filet. When I asked the waitress about it she said sometimes they serve a ribeye as a bistecca fiorentina. She then brought the full bill and l once again asked about the steak as it was not what was ordered, she offered to bring out the manager, I accepted. The manager then came out and said I must've been confused and offered to take 20 euros off the 200+ plus euro tab. I politely explained the situation and then he said I was confused and that it was a Chianina. I pointed out to him that I am familiar with Chianina and that it is a breed of cow, not a cut of steak. He then said that we were served a ribeye (we were not, although it was almost fatty enough to have been one). And that the steak served is up to the cook. He then kept saying that I had my mind made up (fair enough, I do know what | ordered) and the best they would do is take 26.50 euros off the bill I declined and said I would happily pay the bill but they really ought to explain to customers what they are serving if it is not the classic or traditional bistecca fiorentina. On the whole, a very poor experience. I would highly recommend against it. read more

Regina Bistecca - NOT classic Bistecca Fiorentina - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

Extremely friendly staff, went very into detail on the importance of different types of meat and didn't always push us towards the most expensive option. Recommended a great wine pairing for a great meal, will come back again when in Florence! read more

Great steak dinner. I had never had chianina beef before. Fairly lean piece of meat cooked rare which is the proper way to eat it. Sides of fries and grilled vegetables were fresh and tasty. Expensive dinner at 100 euros per person but worth the experience. Service was very good and dining room quite elegant. If I ever come back to Florence I would eat here again. read more

Best steak house experience I have had in Florence. And there were some greats including Buca Mario and Buca Lapi. What set them apart was probably the modern decor, attentive service, simpler menu, and food that was spot on. The ox tongue appetizer was tender. The chianina steak was cooked perfectly, flavorful, tender and medium rare on the rare side. The portion is huge so it should be shared. Finally, the dessert was Santa Vino capped the end of a great Tuscan meal. read more

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Regina Bistecca was a delightful experience. We were greeted warmly and promptly seated. The decor is lovely keeping the charm of the original bookstore and providing just the right balance of privacy and the ability to interact with the other customers if you wish. The food was fabulous! One of the tastiest steaks ever. We had the Florentine meal for two and the starters were excellent as well. Save room for dessert though as the dessert cart has a large selection of delicious choices. It was really hard to choose. I had the grandmother's "cake" which was heavenly. It was a wonderful evening. I am forgiving in the service department during the current labor strain. Our experience was very good but, you could tell they were a tad overwhelmed at the peek as many restaurants are at the moment. It would not bother me but assume it might for some. The attitude of all the staff was positive, helpful and as attentive as possible. We loved this place and highly recommend it! read more

Amazing steak! We were actually pretty full when we came here for a late dinner. I didn't think we would be able to finish 1.5 kg of steak but we ended up eating every last piece! The steak was cooked perfectly and the waitress just seasoned some salt and olive oil on top and it tasted so delicious. This was definitely one of the best meals we had in Florence! Highly recommend! read more

Regina Bistecca - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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I got the filet with green peppers and it was honestly delicious. It's been a while since I've been to o a place where I've felt comfortable enough to order a steak. If I'm splurging out, I want to make sure it's edible in the end. Man was I happy to have ordered steak here. read more

Amazing steak. Great location. Unreal prices. Can't beat it. Would recommend making a res. read more

Regina Bistecca - You choose your steak - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Our first dinner in Florence, and an excellent choice. Located less than a block north of the Duomo, we stopped at the recommendation of a your guide. They had no seats available, so we made reservations for another night then sat at the bar for a glass of wine. The bartender, a charming woman, took pity on us and offered to serve us dinner at the bar. Spectacular doesn't even begin to describe the Bistecca Florentine. A huge T-bone steak for two, accompanied by lovely side dishes like creamed spinach. The wine recommendations were perfect. We finished the evening with an introduction to limoncello. We will definitely be back when we are.in Florence! read more

Regina Bistecca - Two sisters and a bartender having a ball! - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

This is a great new addition to the Florence dining scene. The room is a transitioned bookstore that still holds a lot of its charm in the many nooks and crannies that the restaurant builds itself around. It's a pretty formal room... it's classy and upscale... not like a normal Trattoria in any way. It's great to hop onto their gorgeous bar in front and wait until your table is ready. The Bistecca Fiorentina is one of the best in all of Tuscany, and certainly a Top Choice within Florence itself. There were many other things on the menu that I can't wait to try when I go back in a couple of weeks. This place is a high recommend for an upscale, romantic yet not stuffy night out. read more

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Regina Bistecca is beautiful former library converted to restaurant. Our server Armando was the best, we asked for his guidance on the wine as well as our meal. The roasted bone marrow was the best we ever ate and he guided us in choosing two different types of beef. He was polite and knowledgeable and honestly made a great dinner even better! read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, hands down. Been 3 times now and hope I get a chance to come back again. It is the reason I like to stay on Via Ricasoli when in Firenze. I can't help but order the steak au poivre each time but I brought my parents here last time (and then a second time!) because my dad decided it was the best burger he had ever had in his life. That's major coming from him! The ambiance, service, cocktails, quirky art, and obviously the food are absolutely magnificent and this is easily one of the best restaurants in town. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation before your trip. You won't be disappointed!!! read more

Regina Bistecca - Italian Near Me - Florence, FI

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Honestly the place is beautiful and there are a few sweet staff but overall I left very disappointed. My husband and I were looking forward to coming here and got sat down and waited over 25 min to even be asked what we'd like to drink. Our waiter threw the food down on the table once it did come. We didn't complain a single moment while in there but the service continually got worse we left without the dessert that was included in our set menu. Outside of that we ordered a few things that did not make it to our table. Would never recommend to anyone. They were aware of the entire delay and it's not like our 2 assigned waiters were busy. They were simply just walking around avoiding us. read more

Food and wine was delicious l. Nice staff, attentive, and good pace. If I have any criticism it would be for the women to change their uniforms. Very frumpy. Need more feminine attire. read more

Definitely trying to become an upscale steak house - multiple options for beef. We had pork loin and the equivalent of a ribeye steak. While the food was good, the service was really, like REALLY, slow. It felt like we (and another American couple were being ignored. It wasn't that they were unfriendly... more like grossly under-staffed and not well organized in terms of managing a restaurant. Getting wine & bread was slow; our food took quite awhile; and to get our check, we had to go to the bar and insist on paying our bill. We do not recommend this place. read more

Have been traveling to Italy for about a month a year for the past ten years and was excited last night to try this new steakhouse in the Center that so many have been talking about (have been reading the reviews of several American food bloggers living in Florence). We arrived and were warmly greeted by the maître d′ and took a seat at their pretty little bar for a cocktail. The bartender was nowhere to be found, but eventually materialized, frazzled, and worked for the next ten minutes on our two drinks, while juggling drinks for the 6 other people in the bar and seemingly many who chose to have drinks at their tables. We moved to our table, ordered wine, some starters, and the Chianina. Our server was patient, smart, and competent. After our starters, the steak arrived and that is when the evening turned. Now, we have eaten at all kinds of restaurants, all over the world, and you know, sometimes, even at the best restaurants, a dish comes out of the kitchen poorly cooked. It happens. It happened this night to us. The Bistecca was smoky. Not chargrilled and delicious, but smokey, almost ashtray smoky. We ate a little and decided it was too expensive and too great of an evening to not say anything. We alerted our server, who immediately and apologetically removed our plates and the steak and let us know her manager would be right over. The maître d′ returned and with a look of total shock asked what was wrong. He explained that the restaurant has NEVER received a complaint about the food. Not once. We explained the issue again, and he went away only to return to make an attempt at explaining that "Chianina is a particular breed" and that "perhaps we were not accustomed to its flavor." He explained that "many lesser restaurants in Florence serve what they call Chianina, but they often lie to tourists. Perhaps you are used to eating at restaurants more like that?" A little upsetting to hear. But, we explained again that no, we understand what Chianina is and how it should taste. He went away and returned again offering to show up how the streaks are prepared in the kitchen, "perhaps you don't understand how steaks in Tuscany are prepared over an open fire?" It is one thing to mess up a dish; our guess was that (as we were having an early dinner) the coals in the kitchen were not quite ready for cooking and so the wood was still quite smoky when they steak was prepared. It is another thing to insult your guests, to deny the complaint, and to not do everything possible to help your guests have a pleasant evening. We made it clear that we would not be paying for the dish, to which he threatened to call the police. It was fairly shocking to be treated this way in what seemed to be a wonderful new addition to the Center dining scene. My advice would be to either give this place some time to work out their kitchen and attitude issues or to try one of the many other great spots for steak in Florence. read more

Saw this place recommended on girl in florence about a new high end restaurant near the duomo area. We wanted bisteca Florentine and it was well worth it. The restaurant is set in an old antiquarian library. we ordered the truffle potatoes gratin, the steak (must order at least a kilo) and grilled vegetables and a bottle of wine. Total that was about 110 euros and definitely enough for two people. The steak is cooked rare traditionally and since it's dry aged it's not bloody just buttery: extremely flavorful. We ordered a truffle sauce to go on top but it's not necessary. The meat was perfect by itself. My husband continued talking about how good the steak was after we left and likened it to some of our favorite steak houses back in the US. I recommend passing on the potato's gratin since it was more soupy than potato's and had a cinnamon flavor. The truffle sauce is kind of like a gravy. Liked the ambiance. Definitely recommend if you want a nice high end experience in Florence. read more

Maybe I set the bar too high with comparing this to Mastros and STK in Los Angeles but this steak was just blah! Not sure what the previous review was thinking but obviously that persons pallet was off. Sometimes things just seem to taste better when you are on vacation. read more

SSpectacularly good meal and service. We tried a couple of the pastas (gnudi and testaroli) both of which were great, before moving on to the steaks. We ordered a Chianina Bistecca alla Fiorentina (porterhouse) and a Chianina ribeye. Both steaks were excellent, though different from the Angus steaks we are used to back home. Chianina is more lean and less tender than a USDA Prime steak, so it effectively needs to be served rare to keep from drying out, but it is flavorful. Ours were expertly prepared over charcoal. We also had the truffled potato gratin, grilled vegetables, and chickpeas. All were very good, as was the Brunello di Montalcino we chose from a very reasonably priced wine list. On the whole, I'd visit again without a doubt! read more