De'Bardi Ristorante Enoteca Buchetta del Vino — Restaurant in Florence

My husband and I dined here on a Sunday night and left with mixed feelings. The food was absolutely stellar—easily some of the best we’ve had during our trip to both Rome and Florence for our honeymoon. We started with an assortment of pecorino cheeses served with honey, followed by a beautifully creamy risotto with goat cheese and walnuts. The filet with truffle was absolute perfection, potatoes were so simple but addicting, and the mille feuille dessert was a wonderful ending to an incredible meal.

However, the service didn’t quite live up to the high expectations we had based on other reviews. We chose this restaurant not only for the food but also for its cool atmosphere with the medieval well and the reputation of warm, welcoming service. Many reviews spoke of getting tours of the restaurant to learn about its history, but that wasn’t our experience. When we arrived, the bartender kind of just looked at us until we ended up greeting then and mentioned our reservation. He quickly walked us to the back of the restaurant and pointed out a table for us to sit at. Once seated we were given menus and just felt a bit out of place. Our order was taken pretty quickly, and our meal was well paced. The experience just felt like it was lacking in comparison to other places we’ve dined at in Florence — like with the pecorino cheese board, at other places we’re usually given a quick run down of what’s there, but we didn’t get that tonight. We were also initially charged for water on our bill, but were not offered water (which we usually do like with our meal and bottle of wine — but decided we would wait to ask for it if we felt we really needed it). After our meal, we ended up peeking at the wellroom ourselves and at some of the other rooms on our way out.

It very well could have been an off night, but the lack of warmth and hospitality stood out in contrast to the incredible food. It didn’t seem too busy, one other table was in the dining area and then it sounded like a cooking class downstairs. I definitely think we will return for the food on our next trip to Florence—just with a different expectation of the service. If the service had matched the quality of the cuisine, this would easily be a...

At 6:30 p.m., we stumbled upon this hidden gem while trying to pass the time before our 8:30 dinner reservation. All we wanted was a quiet spot to enjoy a glass of wine, and we were intrigued by the sight of people outside sipping wine from a wine door. From a quick glance inside, it seemed like a simple aperitivo spot—but it turned out to be so much more.

The evening was cold and wet, so we decided to step inside for a drink. The moment we entered, Eno, the owner, greeted us warmly and welcomed us with open arms. His genuine hospitality was immediately evident. We had barely settled into our seats when he offered to show us around, radiating enthusiasm as he shared the story of the restaurant, which he had taken over just three months earlier. His passion and pride were unmistakable, and it was clear how much this place meant to him.

What we discovered completely exceeded our expectations. What we assumed was a simple wine bar turned out to be a breathtaking space with an elegant dining area, a stunning wine cellar, and even a unique private dining nook for two suspended above a see-through well. The atmosphere alone was enchanting, but it was the exceptional service that truly stood out. Having dined at Michelin-starred restaurants, I can confidently say that the food, ambiance, and hospitality at De Bardi are deserving of similar acclaim.

Eno’s graciousness, his generous care for his staff, and his humble, welcoming demeanor made the experience unforgettable. We were so moved by his sincerity that we decided to change our plans entirely, canceling our 8:30 reservation to dine at De Bardi instead. Trusting Eno and his team turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.

I cannot wait to return to this extraordinary place. If your travels bring you to Florence, make it a priority to visit De Bardi. Be sure to say hello to Eno and let him know Alex from California sent you—you won’t be...

This place is fails in the setting, in organization, and in the execution. The first thing you notice is the cacophony; the vaulted brick ceiling and walls act like parabolas that magnify the sound. I have some ideas how to reduce sounds without changing the setting. How about table cloths. Wall coverings. A rug here and there. Anything to dull the loud echoing noise.

They are horribly disorganized. We entered at 8:30 PM. Several tables, including a table of ten, were seated well after us. All of them received their entree well before we did. The later-arriving couple next to us actually finished their meal before ours even arrived. It was over thirty minutes between finishing our appetizer and receiving our main course. Now, I get it. This is Italy; nothing is in a rush. But nothing like this has ever happened at Gastone, or Buca dell' Orafo, or Trattoria Mario, or any of the other dozens of restaurants at which we have dined in Florence.

So, I asked for the check when the main dishes finally arrived, because they were making us late for our next appointment. They took my card, which is unusual, and they took a full ten minutes to return with the card and the check. The staff is also generally unfriendly.

The salami on the meat plate was soft, wet, gooey and not in a dry slice, as if it was just some glop of new sausage. The prosciutto was subpar. My ossobuco was actually several little ossobucos drenched in so much sauce I could not tell what was meat and what was fat, and there was a lot of fat. The cinghiale in my wife's pasta was dry and had sort of a spoiled smell to it. She did not eat it. When I tasted it, I spit it out.

Dine here at your own peril. And I am not a one-time reviewer, nor am I hard on restaurants. This...