Welcome To The “Ponte Vecchio!”
It’s one of the most famous bridges in the world, crossing the Arno river through the middle of Florence Italy!
My wife Alex and I visited in June – we hadn’t been there in. a few years and loved getting back to see so much of its iconic architecture!
This is “Giotto’s Campanile” in the heart of town is part of a group of buildings that make up the Florence Cathedral on the Piazza del Duomo. The bell tower was completed in 1359 and there are 414 steps to the top!
As you can see, we weren’t the only ones there – these iconic buildings are always filled with tourists – here’s a short video:
It’s impossible to see all of the wonderful architecture of Florence in the time we had there, but we made an effort, and afterwards we sat at a rooftop bar for a glass of wine and a view of the iconic Duomo
All that walking helped us work up an appetite for the most iconic meal in Florence:
Digging Into A “Florentine Steak!”
It’s a signature steak that is served just one way in Florence: RARE.
Bistecca alla fiorentina (beefsteak Florentine style) is an Italian steak dish made of young steer (vitellone) or heifer (scottona) that is one of the most famous dishes in Tuscan cuisine. It is loin steak on the bone cooked on a grill unti rare – and only rare – 50 degrees.
If you don’t want it that way, they simply will not serve it to you – welcome to the world of “Bistecca alla Fiorentina!”
We planned far enough ahead to be able to get a reservation at Regina Bistecca – the most famous steakhouse in Florence – you know, the one with one table in a library setting?
Yes, there are books for you to peruse while dining! Here is the story of the restaurant, which you are given when seated:
As you see, they are proud of their history and culture, and you are given this information card on the main attraction as you are seated as well…because they really want you to feel how they do:
“…in love with Florence as we are, celebrates the rite of the Florentine steak, which is as Florentine as the Baptistry or the Ponte Vecchio.”
Here is how they showcase their specialty:
The presentation is a big deal, and our Server walks us through the various cuts so we could choose which one we would split…then it is taken to be cooked and of course the dish is finalized table side – here we go!
As you saw in the video, it’s just rare steak sliced and topped with fresh sea salt – then brought to your table to have a go at!
As you can see from the plate, there are side dishes that come with the dish – we got roasted potatoes and creamed spinach!
The side dishes were delicious, but the star is the steak – it is so full of flavor and easily to eat – while some raw steaks can be chewy, that was not he case at all – full of flavor, and as I said, you can only order this one way: RARE!
Hmmm….and what to do with that bone? Looks like some good flavors there that you don’t want to go to waste – so I didn’t!
Yes, Alex couldn’t wait to get this shot!
We love this restaurant and the history behind this iconic dish…we also got to see another unique “only in Florence” thing; a wine window! Take a look:
Yes – these are real and they date back to the black plague!
Click here to see the history of these wine windows and more shots of us getting served!
We stopped in Florence before heading onto Cortona, home of the house seen in the film “Under The Tuscan Sun!”
Here a look at the road outside the house – the one used extensively in the film:
Click here to get a tour inside with more video from inside the house and more!
This was all part of a whirlwind “planes, trains and automobiles” adventure..a plane first to Rome for a few days, then the train to Florence for two days, then a rental car to take us to Cortona, then on to Burgundy France!
We stopped for a night in the tiny village of Guarene, and stayed in a castle!
Click here for a tour – and a visit to the wine town of Barbaresco too!
After we left this charming area, we drove THROUGH the Swiss Alps – literally!
Yes, our road to Burgundy France took us through one of the longest tunnels in Europe – until it didn’t!
Click here to see the wild adventure that was our journey into Italy’s Alps!
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Leave me a comment on your thoughts on Florence’s “unique wine windows”Bistecca” – and if you like this story, please share with friends on social media!
Enjoy my reflection of the gorgeous buildings that line the Arno River.
Goodnight from Florence!
Categories: Art, Exotic Travel, Food, food blog, Food Review, Italy, Memoirs, Pop Culture, Real Estate, Recipes, Restaurants, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Wacky Food
johnrieber 
I love Florence, and your post is a great tour. Super photos! Were you able to eat all of the steak?
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Wow, it was flintstone style! Looks like an amazing city and meal
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HA! Thanks for the comment and yes it is an amazing food adventure!
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I would love to visit Florence one day, but I wouldn’t be ordering that classic beef dish. Far too rare for me, John! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes Pete they tell you to order a regular steak if you won’t take it that rare – they have other dishes but this is the specialty! Thanks for the comment!
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