My Secret Florence Food Haven

✅I’ve always found that the area around Santa Croce is great for food, and L'ortone is one of those places that’s hard to go wrong with—it’s where I’ve had the most satisfying meals in Florence. It’s so close to the University of Florence that it feels like the restaurant is practically on campus, allowing me to enjoy a hot meal within 15 minutes of finishing class. ✅La nostra tartara di bistecca con uovo (Beef tartare with egg yolk) This is one of the better tartares in Florence, seasoned with mustard seeds and capers that really bring out the natural sweetness and freshness 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—it’s definitely top-tier in Florence. The beef is tender and flavorful, and even the mashed potatoes are incredibly smooth. L'ortone really knows how to do beef well. ✅Caponata (Sicilian eggplant stew) 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-and-salty flavor. It’s a very local dish, but it feels 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-inspired. It almost seemed like Italian food in disguise. The stir-fried cabbage was particularly familiar, reminiscent of my mom’s cooking. The duck was firm and a bit chewy, with a flavor similar to what I’ve had back home. I had this for my last meal in Florence, and it was just okay—below their usual standard. ✅Pigeon (from the autumn menu, can't remember the exact name) The pigeon was much more tender than the duck, with a slight crispiness. It was served with a raspberry sauce and foie gras, and the combination was surprisingly harmonious. ✅Cheesecake crudo con frutti di bosco (Cheesecake with fresh berries) It looked beautiful but was overwhelmingly rich. I suspect it might have used some non-dairy cream. Their desserts don’t seem as strongly homemade as those from other restaurants; they feel more like they were sourced from a nearby pastry shop. ✅I also really wanted to try their risotto, basil gnocchi, and beef tongue but missed the summer menu. Overall, L'ortone is still one of my go-to places in Florence that I trust for a good meal. It’s not overly touristy, and I highly recommend it. #Florence #FlorenceFood #FlorenceTravel #ItalianCuisine