TECUM — Restaurant in Florence

A young, dynamic team runs this beautiful restaurant in the San Jacopino neighborhood. The place defines itself as Cucina di Quartiere (Neighborhood Cuisine) and as we went for dinner on a Monday we found a lively mix of families, business people and students. The rooms are beautifully and tastefully decorated with great attention to details and cleanliness. The open kitchen and a take-out counter greet the guests at the entrance offering an inviting preview of some menu items. We sat in the large outdoor patio framed by green shrubs and comfortably ventilated. The restaurant offers a regular menu including several revisited Tuscan and Italian specialties as well as the daily specials listed on a board. With the help of waitress Claudia, who was very friendly and efficient, we ordered a Tagliere per 2 (An assortment of cold cuts and cheeses for 2) and the Acciughe fanno il pallone (Spanish anchovies in olive oil with salted butter and toasted sourdough bread). All the bread served in the restaurant is made daily by Andrea, the chef, and it's delicious; the cold cuts and the cheeses came from local organic farmers and were of top quality, a whole different experience from what is often served around Florence; the anchovies were delicate and only lightly salted so that they combined perfectly with the salted butter and the sourdough. The wine which Claudia had recommended was a delicious and refreshing Pivuàn rosé from the Marche. Following the appetizers we both ordered the Polpo Croccante (Grilled octopus on a bed of squid ink infused mashed potatoes) which was not only excellent both in flavor and consistency, but was also beautifully presented. In fact at Tecum a minimalistic elegance is noticeable in many details from the presentation of the dishes to the choice of the plates and boards in which the food is served. As a side we had some Agretti, a typical Italian spring vegetable which tastes like a zesty spinach and is rarely served in restaurants. For dessert we ordered the Lemon tart and the Tiramisù, both very tasty, artfully presented and rigorously home made. Overall a very positive experience that shows how quality and dedication combined with the desire to establish a neighborhood presence outside of the predictable routes of the center can be a winning combination. I wish I had a Tecum in my...

We came to this restaurant on the recommendation of the head waiter, Simone, of Di La Mole in Greve and what a terrific experience we had! For a start, the bread is baked in house and it was wonderful! The ceviche with zucchini and mint gazpacho topped with freshly roasted almonds was superb! That dish alone was worth the trek from downtown Florence! We also had eggplant parmigiana to start and it had the smoothest combination of flavours. For main course we had raw carabinero prawns with a prawn cream sauce and baked fish with a curry mousse and the best tasting home grown carrot ever! This restaurant is a hidden gem! Once the rest of Florence discovers it you will never be able to get a booking. It so priced very reasonably, compared to what you get in the town centre. If you have a free night, do yourself a favour. It is outstanding food, even though you don’t expect it with the meat and tidy minimalist decor. Take your mother in law, she...

This charming little restaurant completely exceeded our expectations! As seasoned diners from New York—where fine dining options are endless—we were thoroughly impressed. Far from the typical tourist spots, this place is an unexpected delight in a local neighborhood

Our server, Simone (apologies if I’ve misspelled the name), was exceptionally knowledgeable about both the food and wine menus, down to the finest details. When we mentioned we’d be sharing a pasta dish, it was thoughtfully split and plated separately for us without even having to ask.

Every dish—from the appetizers to the dessert—was absolutely delicious, and the bread, made fresh in-house, was a standout on its own. An unforgettable dining experience we...