My Delicious Haven

L'ortone: My Go-To Eaterie Near Santa Croce I've always found that the area around Santa Croce is a great spot for delicious dining, and L'ortone is one of those places that rarely disappoints. It's actually the restaurant where I had the most satisfying meals during my time in Florence.😀😀😀 Located just a stone's throw away from the University of Florence's architecture building, it feels like the restaurant is almost nestled within the campus itself. This proximity meant I could enjoy a warm meal within 15 minutes of finishing classes.😍😍😍 La nostra tartara di bistecca con uovo (House Beef Tartare with Egg Yolk) This is one of the better beef tartares I've had in Florence. It's seasoned with mustard seeds and capers, which really bring out the natural sweetness of the beef. Guancia di manzo brasata con purè di patate al burro (Braised Beef Cheek with Butter Mashed Potatoes) ❤️❤️❤️ I've written about this dish before, and it's truly one of the top braised beef dishes in Florence. The beef is tender and flavorful, and even the mashed potatoes are incredibly smooth. L'ortone really knows how to handle beef. Caponata (Sicilian Eggplant Relish) 🥩🥩🥩 I call this the Italian version of ratatouille. The combination of ingredients—eggplant, onions, raisins, pine nuts, and olives—is quite unusual and has a distinctive sweet-savory flavor. It's a very local dish, but it feels a bit like someone's using up leftover ingredients. Petto d’anatra laccato al miso e miele, cavolo verza saltato e salsa d’arance (Miso and Honey Glazed Duck Breast with Stir-Fried Cabbage and Orange Sauce) This dish felt very Asian to me. It almost seemed like Italian cuisine with a Chinese twist. The stir-fried cabbage was particularly reminiscent of my mom's cooking—soft and flavorful. The duck was quite firm and a bit chewy, but it tasted similar to what I've had back home. I had this for my last meal in Florence, and it was just okay, a bit below the restaurant's usual standard. Pigeon (Autumn Menu, Name Unknown) The pigeon was incredibly tender, almost crispy on the outside. It was served with a raspberry sauce and foie gras, which surprisingly complemented each other well. Cheesecake Crudo con Frutti di Bosco (Cheesecake with Fresh Berries) While the presentation was beautiful, the cheesecake was a bit too rich for my taste. I suspect it might have contained some plant-based cream. Their desserts didn't seem as homemade as those at other restaurants; they felt more like they were sourced from a nearby pastry shop. I was also curious to try their risotto, basil gnocchi, and beef tongue, but unfortunately, I missed the summer menu. However, overall, L'ortone is still one of my most trusted and favorite places in Florence. It's not particularly touristy, and I highly recommend it. #Florence #FlorenceFood #FlorenceTravel #ItalianCuisine