So, there we were, in Italy, and after many a wonderful meal, I proclaim to JC "so, it seems that it is impossible to get a bad pasta in Italy." Well, I know it is possible, but I meant in decent restaurants...
Anyway, we arrived in Florence after being in Italy for 6 days (and eating really well).Our friends were delighted with the fact they had a babysitter and got to go out with adults. They chose Il Francescino in Santa Croce.
We arrived to be greeted with a glass of Prosecco, so off to a good start. The waiter comes over and is talking about the specials (in Italian, to our Italian friends) and when he starts describing the "Chianti Sushi Special" he goes on to say that it is actually meat, as there is no sea in Chianti. At this point our friend is not too happy being talked down to (he is also well aware of the geography of chianti as he grew up there.) Plus, none of us do really well with condescending wait staff.
We proceed to order a 40 Euro BdM, which was one of the most expensive wines on the list. Then we ordered food. 3 of us ordered the specialty of the house pasta - with breadcrumbs, oil and hot pepper. We were, in fact, warned that the dish was spicy.
So, our pasta arrives. Our friends, immediately pour salt on theirs, and I notice that not only is it completely flavorless, it is hideously overcooked.
So, the waitress comes over and wants to know how things are. Our friends (normally very low key, and don't complain) told her. The food was not seasoned, and in fact, was an embarrassment. She did not seem terribly surprised. She asked if we want something else, which we decline as none of us dared another pasta. And we still have another course coming anyway (I was looking forward to the bacalao).
Then, someone else comes over to tell us they have no side dishes left except for chickpeas (One friend had ordered exclusively side dishes for her meal) and he says "So, what do you want to do about it" (In Italian). What do we want to do about it? We might want some vegetables and expect a restaurant that has plenty of them on the menu to at least have SOME of what is on the menu at 10 on a Friday night.
We then convince our friends that we should not be staying, and should take our euros elsewhere. We pay for our wine and only at that point the owner comes over and asks what the problem is. We (our friends) tell him.
He clearly has no idea what is going on in his restaurant and does not care. We end up having a lovely dinner across the piazza at Bocadama.
So,if in Florence, avoid Il Francescino at all costs.
Posts: 653 | Location: South Florida | Registered: Feb 06, 2003
Sorry to hear that. We had a wonderful pasta meal in Florence last summer at a small place near the Church of Santa Croce. It wasn't fancy, but the food was excellent.
Just one more sip.
Posts: 24997 | Location: NY | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
I also have to say that pasta was the least favorite in Florence. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but I think it was recommended in Rick Steves' book.
Posts: 1457 | Location: New Jersey | Registered: Aug 05, 2007
Originally posted by g-man: We went to this place in florence that was also in a guide book and it was horrid, they forgot to even bring us our food and gave us the check.
But on another night we had dinner in one of the cooking schools and it was fantastic homemade pasta.
Where was the cooking school and do you remember the name? I am headed that way in September and would like to check it out.
I intend to die in a tavern: let the wine be placed near my dying mouth, so that when the choirs of angels come, they may say, “God be merciful to this drinker!” Walter Mapes c. 1140-c.1210
Posts: 203 | Location: Sierra Nevada mountains | Registered: Nov 12, 2008
Originally posted by g-man: We went to this place in florence that was also in a guide book and it was horrid, they forgot to even bring us our food and gave us the check.
But on another night we had dinner in one of the cooking schools and it was fantastic homemade pasta.
Where was the cooking school and do you remember the name? I am headed that way in September and would like to check it out.
Very interesting to hear. My wife and I just just visited for our honeymoon and in Tuscany it seemed as though we could never find a bad meal. Glad to hear we managed to avoid this place while in Florence. I guess there is always bad food somewhere.
Posts: 221 | Location: Chicago | Registered: Apr 06, 2009
Entire thing was hilarious - especially because the entire incident took place in Italian; our friends who live there chose the place and we did not have to deal with any of it.
Entire rest of the trip food-wise was exceptional
Posts: 2692 | Location: South Florida | Registered: Dec 30, 2002
Originally posted by dannyk8232: I usually follow the rule that if there are pictures of the food on the menu, move along to the next place...
Except for Dim Sum. I have much better frame of reference for Italian........
-------------------- "One may dislike carrots, spinach, beetroot, or the skin on hot milk. But not wine. It is like hating the air that one breathes, since each is equally indispensable."
Marcel Ayme`
Posts: 6942 | Location: The Left Coast | Registered: Dec 01, 2001
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