My mother and I had dinner there last week and she thought it was one of the best and most enjoyable meals that we had on our trip. Loud, boisterous, a fun atmosphere etc.
Granted we are not foodies, but the food we ordered was pretty good. We ended up at a very social table so there was much sharing of food which allowed everyone to try things that they had not ordered.
FYI, our hotel advised us that reservations were not accepted, but plenty of people in line had reservations. Hmmm. It seems there is a bit of a kickback system in play in Florence. The line really did build up quickly so get there early if you can.
The fixed price per person was 40 euros, but you were free to order and pay for only the courses that you wanted.
I would definitely recommend it if it is in your budget.
Posts: 12 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 21 January 2006
His brother opened a restaurant down the street - Giovanni. I HIGHLY recommend it and say go there instead of Il Latini. I ate at both restaurants a year ago and think Latini has lost something. Giovanni is just fantastic and at least last year was filled with Italians.
Kathy, I'm really glad to hear you say that because eating at Osteria Giovanni is what we have planned for this trip. I still think that Latini is worth the experience but on our last trip, last summer, taking friends who had never been, I felt it had lost something. My DH does not agree and would go again, so I guess I would say to go, try it and see what you think. Last summer, the food was really good but it felt more "touristy" than before. Then again, we feel less "touristy" on each visit. Marcia
I have been to Italy almost 20 times. Giovanni is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Giovanni is married to a Chinese-American. Their daughters - charming and perfect English speakers - work at the restaurant. You will love it!
Marcia - You will love Giovanni. I have been to Italy nearly 20 times and it is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. Latini felt incredibly touristy last year and we were basically ignored by the wait staff. - Kathy
Well, I hope we're going. I e-mailed them about a reservation, have not heard back, so I guess I will have to call them when we get there in a few days. On our visit to Latini, the wait staff was more than attentive,the food was good, but we felt rushed and I thought that maybe if we had gone to the later seating . . . Our previous visit, we went for lunch on a Sunday, and there seemed to be way more locals there than tourists, so I don't know what to say. Our friends were charmed, so maybe it's a better first-time only place now. Marcia
I suspect that the people you thought were locals on Sunday at lunch were Italian tourists.
I was wandering around that area one Sunday around lunchtime, and an Italian couple, obviously no more intimately familiar with Florence than I was, asked me if I had seen Il Latini in my rambles. I had - with a long line of people waiting to get in - but since I have a lousy sense of direction, I was unable to tell them how to get there.
Just this afternoon I was watching Rachel Ray's "30 Minute Meals" on the Food Channel, and she gave a big shout-out to Il Latini! She was making what appeared to be a very quick Tuscan bean soup.
WV Cyndy
Posts: 69 | Location: Morgantown, WV, USA | Registered: 23 January 2004
WOW what nice responses. I think I will try GIOVANNI for a new experience. Thanks all for the suggestions. Rachel Ray likes every restaurant she goes to. I think we will too.
I have the same question. Is everyone referring to Osteria di Giovanni located on Via del Moro, 22? If not, please share the info so that I can add it to our restaurant list. We'll be in Florcence from 4/23 through 4/27.
Osteria di Giovanni on via del Moro is right, according to this recent post by Diva:
quote:
osteria da giovanni, giovanni latini's new place, MUCH nicer than I latini.. still classic tuscan.. but really fun! right around the corner from I latini on via del moro
My husband and I with friends ate at da Giovanni last Sept. I had brought along my copy of "I dream of Ialy " newsletter that had featured them. The owner and his daughters really enjoyed seeing their picture in the article. They asked to keep the newsletter which I was only to glad to give them. Our dining experince ( second time there) was one of the best we had in Florence. We always reccomend it to friends traveling and make sure to visit each time we get to Florence.
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