Trattoria Da Ruggero — Restaurant in Florence

I normally do not write reviews but this place almost ruined what promised to be a wonderful evening. During the day, I called the number in their website to make a reservation and the person who answered the phone took our reservation. I even gave him my Italian phone number in case they needed to confirm later. My son and his wife were visiting from overseas only for two days. It was Mother's Day. This was going to be our one night out. Last month, we were invited to this restaurant by our friends and since we liked it, we decided to take our son and his wife there on that very special evening. We took the bus and also had to walk a bit to get there on time. As we entered the restaurant, the man at the counter immediately said "no reservation." After I showed the number on my phone that I called earlier, he said that I called another place not him. I, then showed him the phone number listed on the restaurant's website (which was the number that I called). This man said that I talked to someone else (pointing to an emloyee who seemed to be serving the tables) and that "only he" can make reservations and since we did not talk to him but to this other employee, we did not have a reservation! His behavior, the way he talked to us, his body language was very rude. He could have said "my colleague made a mistake and took the reservation although we are booked this evening and I am sorry." But instead, he blamed us for talking to his colleague instead of him. How are we to know? His behavior was rude bordering on discrimination. In fact, during my three months of stay in this lovely city, he was the most hostile person I encountered. My family (all standing at the door watching this man treating me like a nuisance) said that they did not want to eat the food served by someone who is so hostile anyways. But going there took some energy and time and at our age, we were tired but we were apparently not welcome in this place...This man almost took our joy away with the way he treated us. Luckily, we did not let him ruin our night. I immediately called another place that we knew. They happily took our reservation. Of course, we had to walk back to the bus station and took another bus. In short, I do not recommend this restaurant. Do not go there. You do not want to eat the food cooked and served by rude people. They do not deserve you. This man's (I believe he was the owner) rudeness stayed with me; this was the first time I encountered such hostility in Florence.I had to write this review to get it out of my system. It is a shame to treat people as nuisances at your door. Luckily, they failed to ruin our evening and our positive spirits prevailed over...

Opened in 1980 by Ruggero Corsi, at the edge of Florence near Porta Romana, this tiny Trattoria is locally loved thanks to a focus on traditional Tuscan cuisine plus an extensive cellar of affordable Wines to match.

Not an easy place to walk-in, the L-shaped footprint holding perhaps two dozen diners, guests instead confirm reservations made by phone before occupying wood seats, a pour of house Chianti soon to follow alongside three types of Bread in a basket.

Wood-lined with white tablecloths, tables nearly touching, Trattoria Ruggero proposes a seasonal menu focused on history and season, a plate of Charcuterie plus chopped Liver Toast similar to others while a Salad of Chicories finds bitterness balanced by Anchovy Dressing.

Predictably offering Tuscan T-Bones served bloody, a sizable cut for six at an adjacent table, those seeking something lighter should consider Tortellini served in clear Broth with depth or hand-cut Tagliatelle served simply amidst Aspargus and Butter.

Tempted by another Steak, more affordable than most, it was on the recommendation of neighbors that spoon-tender Roast Pork instead arrived as Secondi with a side of Potatoes, the extra capacity saved for crumbly Cake and a caramelized Apple from the oven...

My expectations were high as I’d heard so many good things about Ruggero and I’d been wanting to go for so long… but I was pretty disappointed. Although the actual restaurant itself is very nice and welcoming, the service was a bit indifferent and so the atmosphere wasn’t cold, but I definitely wouldn’t describe it as friendly. When we asked how the puntarelli were served, for example, the waitress pointed behind the glass counter (where they couldn’t be seen from where we were seated) and said, ‘at room temp.’ She didn’t mention that there were pieces of anchovies mixed in, and if I had known, I wouldn’t have ordered them! The antipasto, however, is quality, especially the prosciutto crudo. All very fresh and delicious. But it was followed by my pasta which was beyond al dente with some parts of it actually crunching like it would straight out of the bag. The blueberry cheesecake is incredibly awesome - so definitely fill up on dessert if the other dishes...