[Leica] Re:Trip to Italy (Off Topic)

["Paul T. Collura" <pcollura@epix.net>]

>
>
>
> >I can second the advice of one reader who recommended drinking any wine
> >by ANTINORI.  Visit their restaurant in Florence which will require a
> >reservation.  We had our best meal in Europe there (including Paris!)
> >and you can sample their wines by the glass including the pricey but
> >fabulous TIGNANELLO.  Highly Recommended.
>
> >I would actually suggest to skip their restaurant because you will be among
> your fellow Americans or other wealthy tourists. The food is expensive and
> not particularly good, no Florentine in his right mind would go there. Try
> instead the restaurant in the cellar of the same palazzo ANTINORI, called
> "Buca  Lapi" entrance in via Trebbio(I went last Tuesday). You might see the
> odd Japanese tourist but they are famous among the Florentines for their
> bistecca fiorentina, a unique grilled T-bone steak which is so tender it
> almost melts in your mouth, stands competition from any ANGUS/Chicago let
> alone South American beef, BTW they have a very nicely priced sangiovese
> wine from ANTINORI called "Christina" no, not the Chianti from the same
> castle.
>
> Andreas

Andreas,

I respectfully disagree.  I had over forty meals in Europe in late September and
the dinner at the Cantinetta Antinori was the among the best my wife and I sampled
if not the best. I had vitello alla panna and it was exquisite.  I speak and
understand Italian so I should know if there were Italians in the restaurant.  I
can tell you there were plenty of Italians dinning that night including the table
to my right and that to my left.  Of course there were Americans and Japanese
dinning as well.  Any harm in that?

Paul T. Collura