OSTERIA DELL ENOTECA: ORDER THE FLORENTINE STEAK, BUT DON’T ASK FOR IT WELL DONE
The Cost - $57.50 per person
The Atmosphere – A beautiful setting for a dinner, Osteria dell Enoteca gives you the look and feel of a modernly decorated wine cave with a vaulted ceiling and great use of exposed brick. Located just south of the Arno river, the restaurant is perfect for a romantic dinner, special occasion, or even an important business meal. The restaurant is on the smaller side so reservations are encouraged and while dressing up isn’t required, dressy-casual, business, or cocktail attire would certainly be appropriate.
When most people think of Italian cuisine, they think of pasta, pizza, and gelato. However, in Florence, the local steak is one of the most well-known and sought-after dishes around. For my first time trying the storied meat, I went to Osteria dell Enoteca, a wine and meat-focused restaurant serving modern Tuscan cuisine.
The Order – Caponata di Zucca Mantovana, Pici Artigianali al Sugo d’Aglione, Bistecca dell’Osteria and Tiramisu.
The Fantastic – It was steak I wanted and it was steak I got. The Bistecca dell’Osteria, a traditional Florentine steak grilled over an open flame, was seasoned with salt and garnished with fresh rosemary and was one of the best steaks I have had in my life. The meat was flavorful, juicy, and tender and was grilled excellently. Just know that you don’t get to choose how the meat is prepared as the chef will not cook this steak to any doneness above medium-rare. The smallest piece of this porterhouse cut available was a 1.4 kilogram bone-in piece (about 3 lbs.) and it was plenty of meat for two people. Also important to know is the price; at 52 euros (about $60) per kilo, this is an expensive piece of meat but one that is well worth it.
I wasn’t surprised that the steak earned such high praise, but I was shocked when our only antipasti of the night, the Caponata di Zucca Mantovana, started off the meal on an amazing note. The seasonal dish featured Mantua pumpkin, a high-quality pumpkin from northern Italy, and aged pecorino cheese with shaved almonds and was incredibly fresh and full of flavor. If you are lucky enough to see this dish on the menu when you go to Osteria dell Enoteca, order it.
The Great – The Pici Artiglianai, a hand-rolled pasta that resembles a thick spaghetti, is originally from Tuscany and so it is very appropriate for it to be on the menu at Osteria dell Enoteca. The pasta is served in a garlic tomato sauce that was very light and not as garlicky as I had thought it would be. As someone who isn’t a big fan of spaghetti, I have to say that I really enjoyed this pasta dish.
The Good – Tiramisu can and should be eaten regularly in Italy. But while the tiramisu at Osteria dell Enoteca was cutely presented in a glass jar, it was not the best tiramisu of my trip; it was a little too milky and the vin santo, an Italian dessert wine, did not come through at all. It wasn’t bad but I would go with another dessert the next time around.
The Verdict – Osteria dell Enoteca is a wonderful restaurant to dine at during your time in Florence. The focus on Tuscan cuisine is something that you won’t find in Rome or Venice or even in many restaurants in Florence itself, making it a unique, delicious experience. And when you visit, do yourself a favor and splurge on their Bistecca dell’Osteria which might just be the best Florentine Steak around.