Il Latini

Trip Start Feb 07, 2008

Trip End May 03, 2008

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Flag of Italy Florence, Italy
Saturday, March 15, 2008

Khristina heard that Rachael Ray�s favorite restaurant in the whole world was here in Florence so she figured out its location and I figured out how to get us there - not too far from their hotel actually. Once we got back from our wine tasting and dropped our purchases off we walked over as she had also heard they did not take reservations and only had 2 servings per night. Sure enough as we rounded the corner there was already a crowd of people and almost every one of them was speaking Italian - a good sign as we were keen to avoid tourists :) As opening time approached the crowd quickly doubled in size, the door opened and a man emerged and he began to call the names on his list then pull in a few lucky folks who didn�t have a reservation. He sort of reminded me of the kids in the Lollipop Guild in the Wizard of Oz, without the red hair and the gnarly costume of course. In "line" with us and slowly but painfully (he pulled Khristina�s hair) was the tallest most unattractive American man I have seen in a while

before

. Bruce was there with his equally unattractive family (their attitudes were terrible), his daughters were apparently on the verge of losing what little lunch they had eaten when they saw the waiters serving Prosciutto - good, leave, I will gladly use your table. Once the ogre and his trolls were inside the rest of us were able to make our way up in hopes of being pulled inside...Success!
What followed was easily one of the best meals I have had in Florence so far; the company wasn�t bad either :) Family style meant no menus just a choice of one of three or four dishes the kitchen had already prepared for each course that evening. I started with some of the Prosciutto, thinly sliced and delicious, followed by a glass of red wine. Next I chose the pasta with a wild boar ragu (you have to try a local specialty once right?) and was pleasantly surprised, followed of course by another glass of red wine. Then I chose the roast chicken - scrumptious - followed by some H2O (thought it best to mix it up). For dessert I picked the Panna Cotta which came drenched in chocolate and the waiter also presented us with some almond and citrus biscotti served with Vin Santo ("saintly wine" made from raisins) for good measure. Let me tell you - saints know what they are doing with liquor! (Obviously I realize saints didn�t/don�t make this wine nor did they name it and market it but it�s fun to think about) On top of all of this we were served another wine - Moscato - and this may have been my favorite of the night. After an unbelievable meal and a fabulous experience and I used the long walk home to reorganize my thoughts on alcohol and reflect on the day - what a day it was!