Osteria del Proconsolo — Restaurant in Florence

My wife and I had planned a trip to Italy for 6 months for our honeymoon with the goal of ultimately eating authentic pasta, specifically out of a cheese wheel (we watch too much social media). While we were in Florence, we saw a sign for special of the day that has pasta made inside a cheese wheel! Our waitress was very nice and professional, she helped with cooking the pasta right in front of our faces! My wife had loved the pasta and I loved the seafood risotto/peppered mussels. My favorite seafood is mussels and when they brought out the bowl of mussels, I was just gleeful and smiling the whole time.

The price was very reasonable. In fact, my wife was willing to spend 100+ euros for this, and for only 28 euros, it's the best value for this quality.

If you want GOOD pasta, good atmosphere, good staff, and a good time, check out Osteria del Proconsolo just south of the Cathedral. I have eating at many places and have had many seafood and I will now say that THIS is my favorite Seafood 😍 (Specifically mussels) and recommend it to all my friends around the world who wants to visit Florence...

We wanted to try a "Fiorentina steak" and while walking around the cathedral, this osteria happened to be right behind the church. I asked the blonde waiter, Andrei, about the deal they had (€35 per person for steak, wine and potatoes) since it seemed too good for the area, and he humbly told me it was for a regular steak 'cause the Fiorentina one is of course more expensive and bigger. So I appreciated his honesty and decided to try it anyway, not the Chianina breed though, just the cheaper one at around €60 per kilo. After sitting he said it was gonna be generally more than one kilo and showed me the steak before accepting. It was huge and thick and medium-rare cooked, though we had to cook it a little more on the iron plate at my request. Andrei and his colleague were nice and patient with me and we enjoyed the meat with a bottle of red wine. Thanks again Andrei, and thank the boss for the limoncello on the house! (As an Italian I couldn't help it, I had to ask for the free liquor...

Upon entering the restaurant, I was asked if I came in to use the bathroom. I found the question rude and assuming. I responded that I had a reservation after which I was quickly led to a table. I sat down and was given water right away. I was then asked to move to a table on the second floor to make room for a family of four. I did not mind moving. The waiter warmed up quickly when I asked for his help on menu items. He tried his best to answer my questions. I was pleased with his service tonight. He did not hover over me, but rather checked on me sporadically. The cacio pepe was created in a picorino wheel and covered with truffles. It was tasty. However, the pasta was a bit undercooked. The florentine steak I ordered had small pieces of bone scattered throughout. It was also very tough. Not sure if that is how florentine steak should be. It was a good experience, but I do not think I will return. The wait staff and atmosphere gave this place stars that the...