Ristorante La Reggia degli Etruschi - Eat and Drink well in Florence

When your vacation destination is one of the top tourist destinations in the world it is very easy to spend a great deal of money and not have a great culinary experience. The Ristorante La Reggia degli Etruschi, just outside of Florence, is a little known restaurant with fantastic wine cellar. This is one of my favorite haunts, the food is genuine and savory and the wine selection is tremendous. Just about every nook and cranny of the restaurant is filled with bottles of wine from the Tuscan region. The view is suggestive, looking into the valley from the hills of Tuscany, but if the scenic view is the first thing that catches your attention this may not be the place for you.


Wine, wine and more wine. From the time you enter the small foyer bottles of Tuscan nectar fill your view. Solaia, Sassicaia, Brunello di Montalcino, the fabulous "Super Tuscans", tempt your imagination. The greatest worry for the night will be which one of these marvelous wines will accompany the traditional Tuscan dinner. If you can tear yourself away from the display of wines, this was always a problem for us, your table will have a beautiful view of the Tuscan valley. We always chose to sit outside on the covered veranda. The evening breeze is cool and the smells of the vineyards and lush farmlands complete the atmosphere.

The food is traditional Tuscan, no novel cuisine here. Simplicity and fresh ingredients put together to compliment each other. Every mouthful is an experience as each element discretely makes its presence known without dominating and then quietly subsides giving way to a new flavor. Plan to spend some time with the menu. The restaurant offers a smorgasbord of culinary ecstasy including Carne Chianina, Gnocchi, Pici, potato Ravioli, pasta with truffles, la Fiorentina, a selection of Tuscan cheeses and some really voluptuous desserts.

There are two ways to proceed when ordering dinner, choose the wine and then the food, or choose the food and then the wine. Either way Leonardo and his staff will be able to help you combine these Tuscan delicacies resulting in an unforgettable evening.

Restaurant La Reggia degli Etruschi
Via S.Francesco, 18
Fiesole (Firenze)
Ph./Fax +39 055 59385

Tags: Florence Italian Wineries Food and Wine Italian Restaurants Tuscany Travel Italy