Alfresco Dining

Alfresco Dining

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Thu 16 Jul 2009 12:00 AM

 

Wondering how to stay cool while enjoying a great Florentine dinner?

There is only one answer: stay outside and away from the steaming indoor
ovens.

There are plenty of options for dining alfresco-we’ve included our
favorites here.

 

 

Caffè
Pitti

Piazza
Pitti, 9r – 055/2399863

www.caffepitti.it

This chic café is located directly across from the
enormous Pitti Palace
and the adjacent Boboli
Gardens. It functions
throughout the day as a typical Florentine bar-albeit a little more ornate-but
the evening is when things really get interesting. Depending on the night,
there could be live music.

 

 

4 Leoni

Via dei Vellutini, 1r, Piazza della Passera –
055/218562

www.4leoni.com

Tucked into a tiny Oltrarno piazza, Trattoria 4 Leoni
offers the perfect mix of locals and tourists heartily enjoying their Tuscan
specialties. Big, white umbrellas provide the right amount of shade for diners
sitting in the piazza.

 

 

Borgo
Antico

Piazza
S.Spirito 6r – 055/210437

www.borgoanticofirenze.com

Restaurant/pizzeria with tables facing the facade of
Santo Spirito. It may not be the coolest place temperature-wise to eat in
August, but the generous portions and quality pizzas at a fair price make it a
good place to go.

 

Fuori
Porta

Via
Monte Alle Croci 10r – 055/2342483

www.fuoriporta.it

Huge crostoni and yellow paper on the tables make this
a classic for good eats with friends in the open Florentine air.

 

TERRAZZA
BARDINI

Villa
Bardini, Costa San Giorgio 6 – 055/2008444

www.moba.fi.it

Enjoy Florence
from a different perspective at this newly opened terrace café connected to the
contemporary art museum at Villa Bardini. Boasting innovative dishes and
fashionable cocktails, it is the perfect place for a light meal or an aperitivo
on a warm summer evening.

 

BORGO
SAN JACOPO (BSJ)

Borgo
San Jacopo 62r – 055/281661

www.lungarnohotels.com

The Oscar for the best tables in all of Florence go to the
beautiful Hotel Lungarno restaurant: the two tables on the mini-terrace facing
the Ponte Vecchio are so dramatic they could be the stage for an opera. You’ll
have to book in advance and sell your mama to have a shot at one of
them, but it could be the highlight of your summer dining experience.

 

AL FRESCO

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

Borgo Pinti 99 – 055/2626450

www.fourseasons.com/florence

If you are looking to treat yourself to a leisurely
lunch or dinner in the shade of centuries-old trees in a Renaissance era
garden, then this is your place. The two huge terraces with pool views are
ideal for those who want to escape from the heat of the city and enjoy chef
Vito Mollica’s fresh summer menu.

 

 

A bit outside of the city

 

Trattoria Le Cave di Maiano

Via
Cave di Maiano, 16 – Maiano (Fiesole) – 055/59133

This Tuscan country trattoria in the village of Maiano
is reached by Ataf bus #7; however, reaching it from there requires walking
almost a mile up a winding country road. On a cool day, the walk can be
pleasant; if the scorching August heat is pounding down, however, spend the few
extra euro for a taxi. The trattoria itself consists of a converted farmhouse
and a tree-shaded terrace with views of the Fiesole
hills (but not of the city of Florence);
the food is excellent.

 

 

Lo Strettoio

Via
Serpiolle 7 – 055/4250044

www.lostrettoio.com

A solid choice for modern Tuscan cooking with an
extraordinary view of Florence.

 

I
Ricchi

Via
della Docciola 14, Cercina – 055/402042

www.iricchi.it

Driving up the Sesto hills is like taking a
mini-vacation…the fried goodness of the dishes is the grand prize.

 

 

GELATERIE short list

 

Indulge in an affordable luxury. There is no doubt
that those coming from other parts of the world will find Italy expensive
in all sectors except for two: great coffee and homemade gelato. Since this is
the summer issue, we’ve put together a list (not nearly complete!) as a
starting point for your marathon of chocolate and vanilla, lemon and pistacchio
in this boiling heat. Send us your reviews and let us know which ones are worth
listing next time!

 

BADIANI

Viale
dei Mille 20r – 055/578682

 

CARABÉ

Via
Ricasoli 60r – 055/289476

 

CARAPINA

Piazza
Oberdan 2r (near Piazza Beccaria) – 055/676930

 

CIOLLI

Via
Ramazzini 35r – 055/677554

 

GELAT’AMO

Via
Doni 18r – 055/3245806

 

GELATERIA
LA CARRAIA

Piazza
Sauro 25r – 055/280695

 

GELATERIA
DE’ MEDICI

Via
dello Statuto 3/5r – 055/475156

 

GELATERIA
DEI NERI

Via
dei Neri 26r – 055/210034

 

IL
SORRISO

Via
Erbosa 70 (Gavinana) – 055/689007

 

GROM

Via
del Campanile – 055/216158

 

LE
PARIGINE

Via
dei Servi 41r – 055/2398470

 

PERCHÉ
NO?

Via
dei Tavolini 19r – 055/2398969

 

VESTRI 

Borgo
degli Albizi 11r – 055/2340374

 

VIVOLI

Via
Isola delle Stinche 7 – 055/292334

 

 

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