June 4, 2012

Ristorante: La Giostra




15 years ago, the Hapsburg Lorena princes decided to open a restaurant in Florence: La Giostra. The news of a noble family handling with dishes and napkins caused a sensation, but not for everyone. The family friends who were accustomed to gathering around the table of the prince at the castle of Barberino Val d'Elsa in Chiantishire, had often suggested the idea. 


The many restaurants that were supplied with olive oil, wine and other products of the estate had started fearing what would come ever since the prince began asking them (and obtaining) some recipes of their chefs. The daughter Anastasia, and the sons, Dimitri & Soldano, knew exactly that the idea would have passioned all the family into a full time job. 


The passion started in Wien, when the grandmother began taking the nephew to the kitchens of the castle and only once the servitude had been dismissed she would show him what she called “the big magic”: the natural leaving of "Krapfens" A fantastic spell that charmed the young prince, who was bound to a life of prying into old recipes manuscripts, anecdotes, and suggestions on how to prepare the dishes of the Hapsburg and Lorenese tradition. “The sciences are not like Minerva that came out of Jupiter all armed, they are daughters of time”, here in lies the secret of La Giostra. 




One expectes a typical cuisine, instead new savors are discovered, hundred years old. The flavours of a forgotten Tuscany, when the restaurant rooms, surmounted by Sixteen century arches in red brick hosted the merry-go-round in Salvemini square, from which the prices got the name of their restaurant. Where shiny horses rested once upon a time, today there are only just sixteen tables, where couples, beautiful women, famous guests and also entire theatre troupes sit now and then… All of them united by the love of good cuisine and by the pleasure of a refined hospitality: in a “homely”, warm and cozy environment. 


It is a merit of the historic chef Ubaldo Tonarelli, who cooperates with the talented Japanese, Aruki Igari, but most of all it is the merit of Liliana, who prepares all different kinds of fresh, handmade pasta every morning. A joyful party of people who know how to give happiness… Because food is necessary and choosing it is a privilege, but cooking it is an art.




FoodRegional food
National food
International food
 SpecialityRicette e Specialita' del Principe Dimitri Alberto D'Asburgo Lorena.
 
 Information12:30-14:30 dal Lunedi al Venerdi.Festivi a Pranzo Chiuso.
 Openingfrom01/01to31/12 
 Closing daysmonday (dinner),tuesday (dinner),wednesday (dinner),thursday (dinner),friday (dinner),saturday (lunch),sunday (lunch).


 Indicative price *from€ 50,00to€ 100,00(service € 3,00)





Borgo Pinti, 10/R
50121 Centro Storico, Volta di S.Piero/Borgo Pinti - Firenze (FI) - Italy




 
la giostra florence



La Giostra is a restaurant that finds itself in the city of Florence and that was opened by Dimitri D´Asburgo Lorena, who is a prince of Habsburg that has Medici blood, and the original idea of the owner of the place as to why he opened it was to teach the love that he has for food and cuisine.

The restaurants treats all of its clients perfectly. Just as they arrive, before bringing the starters or the aperitif, they give them a glass of champagne that they can enjoy while they choose their dish.

The place has an extensive menu of both food and the most exquisite wines of the region but one of the most relevant specialities of the place and why its pastas are famous are their raviolis. This dish is cooked with the most diverse sauces and the result is one of the best dishes in Florence.

Nobody can leave without trying the Viennese Sachertorte which is a chocolate torte that as well as being famous worldwide, here they make it with the old recipe of the d´Asburgo Lorena family.

La Giostra is one of the most prestigious and exquisite restaurants in the city.





































Restaurant's Official Website:
Ristorante La Giostra Firenze - Borgo Pinti 12/r - Firenze





Sources: 
La Giostra Restaurant Reviews, Florence, Italy - TripAdvisor

La Giostra
Ristorante "La Giostra" Firenze




Photo Sources:
Google Image Result for http://tuscanychic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/la-giostra-florence.jpg
TOUR D'EUROPE 2008 / EUROPE TOUR 2008: Italie - Florence
The Little Fashion Treasury: Bella Italia
la.giostra.florence.card2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
La Giostra





Other Restaurant Sites: 




December 11, 2011

How to Tour Italy | Don't wait in line


Here is how you DON'T wait in line at the Uffizi or to see the David in Florence




1.  Go to OrsanMichelle in Florence.
2.  On the side between the statue of Saint John the Baptist and Doubting Thomas there is a little booth.
3.  That booth sells tickets to all state run museums which include the Accademia (David) and the Uffizi.
4.  Go there, walk up, buy your tickets for same day entrance.  
5.  Walk right by the people in line.  

A. Go early so you can choose what day you want to get in.  
B. Pick your time.
C.  If you have time to kill do my Gelato, Chocolate, and Panini walk through Florence and enjoy some of the city's best Gelato, Chocolate, and Panini.

How to Tour Italy | Great Eats

Loved this. Super helpful blog.  Grom is sensational and Trattoria Alfredo was delicious and incredibly nice to my mom, grandma, and I.  Delicious, good location, decent prices.


Great Eats -  Florence


1.  Le Colonnine at Via de' Benci 6/R - a good spot for lunch very near Santa Croce.  This is a well-priced spot with good pizza and crostini.  Indoor and outdoor seating.

2.  Rubaconte at Via Ghibellina 178/R - Not too far from the Bargello this place has great A/C for a little retreat from the Italy heat and some good pizza and pasta.  Their Fagioli Uccelletto is very good.  They are used to serving large groups from walking tours so they move pretty quickly if you're pressed for time.  The Olio Piccante is very good here.

3.  Bar Rum e Pere at Via Proconsolo 2/R - directly next door to the Bargello.  Make this your cafe.  It is very well priced for being so close to a great museum.  It is really a little local joint tucked in to the center of Florence.  You pay less the Euro 1,00 for a good espresso.  The beer is cold, the wine isn't bad either.  Stick to the bar here.  The food is below average since it isn't make on premise, but bought and stacked into the cooler.  They have a bathroom if you're in a jam; buy an espresso at least though.  

4.  Grom at Via di Campanile and the corner of Via Oche a very short walk from the Duomo - This is the third best gelato in Florence and I included it in my Gelato, Chocolate, and Panini walking tour (download it from iTunes and print it off for walking directions too).  I like the granita here and the pistacchio.

5.  Trattoria Alfredo at Via dei Leoni 14/R - A very short walk to the Uffizi, Piazza Signoria, the Bargello, and my favorite gelato in Florence Alfredo isn't too bad at all.  The crostini are good, the chef's pasta of the day is always a good bet, and the service is good.  They have good fruit salad here as well.  

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