"Housed in the vaulted ex-cellars of 15th-century Palazzo Antinori, the Cantinetta breathes aristocratic Old Florence. The atmosphere is upscale and slightly hushed; tables are laid with crisp white cloths, and crystal glasses gleam. Menus are based on Tuscan classics with some seasonal variation. Kick off with a fettunta (bruschetta, in Tuscany) topped with cavolo nero (black cabbage) before moving on to pappa al pomodoro (a thick, bread-based tomato soup), pasta with artichokes, ossobuco, and tagliata (sliced steak) topped with pecorino cheese. It all comes with liberal lashings of the peppery in-house olive oil, and comes to your table courtesy of an old-school, deferential staff suited in cream jackets with bow ties. This place appeals to an older crowd of well-heeled tourists looking for a quiet meal with top-notch service. There are also Florentines among the diners, many of them friends of the aristocratic owners." - Nicky Swallow
