Melinda Gallo

I have been living full-time in Florence since 2004 and enjoy eating out. I tend to go to the same restaurants because I love them so much, but when people I trust suggest a place I run to try it out.

Member Since: April 2009

Living in: Florence (Italy)

How often are you in Florence in the year? Resident

How often do you dine out a week? 1 time/week

Personal URL: http://www.melindagallo.com/

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Restaurants

Cenacolo del Pescatore - Seafood lovers delight
I enjoyed my dinner in this chic atmosphere. Each dish served to us was unique and delicious. I would certainly go back. We had the "percorso in tre passaggi" and were pleased with the chef's choices. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: October 25, 2010

J.K. Place (Hotel) - Elegant ambience for a delightful brunch
In an elegant and intimate room, we selected fresh muffins, fruit, yogurt, meats, cheeses, and much more from a large buffet. We also ordered a dish each: pancakes and a bagel with salmon and creamed cheese. The service was impeccable and the food delightful. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: October 25, 2010

Buca dell'Orafo - Amazing Tuscan food!
Some of the best Tuscan food I've had here in Florence. I appreciated how the classic dishes were with great care. They were beautifully presented and tasted even better! [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: March 8, 2010

Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Mario - Tasty Tuscan lunch
Part of the fun is waiting in line and being seated with other people. A very Tuscan trattoria with delicious food. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: September 29, 2009

Osteria del Caffe' Italiano - Delicious pizza downtown!
The pizza, even though there are only three kinds, is very delicious! [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: August 16, 2009

Sushinami - My new favorite sushi place!
The sushi was delicious and inexpensive! I wasn't convinced at first because no one I knew had yet gone to the restaurant. A friend told me she loved it and so I went on her recommendation. I was happily surprised with the large variety of fresh and tasty sushi. I can't wait to go with all my other friends who love sushi as much as I do. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: June 10, 2009

Kome - Great sushi bar!
It's not easy refraining from picking up every plate of sushi that goes past when you sit at the sushi bar. We kept our eyes on the sushi chefs who were putting up plates of tasty sushi that we couldn't help but try. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: May 2, 2009

Angels - Tasty brunch!
A wonderful place to go for a Sunday brunch. I love the freshly made muffins that are a part of the buffet. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 25, 2009

Canapone - My favorite place to eat in Florence!
A great place to eat a Tuscan meal with a twist. The menu is always updated and everything is made fresh on the premises. It's the first place I think of when I want to go out to eat. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Osteria di Giovanni - Delicious Tuscan food
This is one of my favorite places to eat a delicious Tuscan meal. I have been happy with every meal I've had here since I went for the first time in 2007. I always have to save room for the desserts, which are also exquisite. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Buddakan - Favorite place for Thai food
My favorite restaurant for Thai food. I love the wide selection of Thai, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes, but I tend to always order Thai. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Strapizzami - Exceptional pizzas!
A tiny place where you have to sit on a stool at a bar, but the pizza is exceptional! [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Gelaterie

RivaReno - Creamy and delicious
Even though I live near two of the best gelaterie in town, I'm willing to walk a few extra blocks to RivaReno. I find the gelato fresh and the flavors delicious. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: July 9, 2011

Gelateria dei Neri - Best in town!
Usually the place closest to where you live is not the best, but in my case it is. I have enjoyed every flavor I've tried, but my favorites are: mango, cookies n' cream, banana, crema, and ricotta e fichi. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: May 13, 2009

Carapina - Delightful gelato!
Friends had told me about this gelateria, and I was happily surprised at how delicious it was. My favorites are the vin santo and chocolate. The gelato was so creamy and flavorful that I can't wait to go back and try some of the other flavors. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: May 4, 2009

Pastry Shops

Pasticceria Stefania - Delicious pastries and cakes
This is certainly my favorite pastry shop in Florence. Whenever I am in the area in the morning, I have to stop off to get a cappuccino and a pastry. I have also bought cakes and pastries for special occasions, and they were always a hit! [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: May 2, 2009

Caffè Giacosa - Wonderful pastries and tasty coffee
I love going to this busy café where every pastry I've had was delicious. Their cappuccino is probably one of the best I've had in the city. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 25, 2009

Mama's Bakery - Great treats!
A modern American bakery where I was able to get a toasty warm bagel with cream cheese. I love the cozy sitting area where I was able to eat my breakfast and chat with a friend. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Dolci e Dolcezze - Average...not as good as the first time
I had eaten there a few years ago and loved it, but this last time I was disappointed. [Read more]
Food Service Ambience Overall
Review submitted: April 24, 2009

Favorites

Restaurants

1. Buca dell'Orafo - Via dei Girolami 28r (Historical Center) - 055 213619

2. Osteria di Giovanni - Via del Moro 22 (Historical Center) - 055 284897
I love all the Tuscan dishes, and usually the specials of the day are spectacular. Delicious meats/steaks. Desserts are great too!

3. Strapizzami - via dei Sette Santi 29r (Outskirts) - 055 577112
The best pizza ever! My favorites are "Obama" and the "Thai Curry."

4. Kome - via dei Benci 41r (Santa Croce) - 055 2008009
Tasty sushi!

5. Buddakan - Largo Bargellini 7/8 (Santa Croce) - 055 2346123
Great Thai food!

6. Trattoria Pandemonio - Via del Leone 50r (Oltrarno) - 055 224002
A wonderful family run trattoria in San Frediano. My favorite dishes are the pappa al pomodoro, risotto alla crema di scampi and the homemade cheeseake.

7. Olio e convivium - Via Santo Spirito 4 (Oltrarno) - 055 2658198
A quiet and special place for lunch or dinner. The menu changes so often that I don't even have a favorite dish.

8. Cibrèo Trattoria - Via de' Macci 114r (Santa Croce) - 055 2341100
Typical Tuscan cuisine with a twist that you can't get anywhere else.

9. Il Santo Bevitore - via Santo Spirito 64/66r (Oltrarno) - 055 211264

10. Trattoria Quattro Leoni - Via de dé Vellutini 1r (Oltrarno) - 055 218562
A classic choice for Tuscan food although my favorites are the bistecca alla fiorentina and the Fiocchetti di pere con salsa di taleggio e asparagi.

Antico Ristorante Paoli - Via dei Tavolini 12r (Historical Center) - 055 216215
A wonderful and beautiful Florentine restaurant with many Tuscan specialities. My favorite is the fresh salad that they make at your table.

Brac - via dei Vagellai 18r (Santa Croce) - 055 0944877

Sushinami - via Matteo Palmieri 9 (Santa Croce) - 334 2967032

The Diner - via dell'Acqua 2 (Historical Center) - 055 290748

Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Mario - via Rosina 2r (Train Station) - 055 218550

Haveli - Viale Fratelli Rosselli 33/r (Train Station) - 055 355695

Cenacolo del Pescatore - Borgo Ognissanti 68r (Train Station) - 055 2776280

J.K. Place (Hotel) - Piazza Santa Maria Novella 7 (Train Station) - 055 2645181

Piazza del Vino - via Torretta 18r (Outskirts) - 055 671404

Koko - Piazza Ferrucci, 4/5 r (Outskirts) - 055 6587428

I Buongustai - via dei Cerchi 15r (Historical Center) - 055 291304

Gelaterie

1. RivaReno - Borgo degli Albizi 46r (Historical Center) - 055 0118039
The "Alice" flavor is my ultimate favorite. It's mascarpone gelato with a gianduja sauce...out of this world!

2. Carapina - Piazza Oberdan 2r (Outskirts) - 055 676930

2. Carapina (in centro) - Via Lambertesca 18/r (Historical Center) - 055 291128
My favorite is the vin santo.

3. Gelateria dei Neri - via dei Neri 26r (Historical Center) - 055 210034

4. Badiani - viale dei Mille, 20r (Outskirts) - 055 578682

5. Vestri - Borgo degli Albizi, 11/R (Santa Croce) - 055 2340374

6. Grom - Via del Campanile (Historical Center) - 055 216158
Marrons glacés ice cream is the tastiest!

7. Carabé - via Ricasoli, 60r (San Marco) - 055 289476
Try the granita and gelato combination.

Pastry Shops

1. Pasticceria Stefania - Via Marconi 26r (Outskirts) - 055 5417247‎
Great pastries. One of my favorites for coffee in the morning.

2. Dolcissima - via Maggio 61r (Oltrarno) - 055 2396268
One of the best pastry shops in town. I have loved everything I've tasted so far.

3. Mama's Bakery - via della Chiesa, 34/r (Oltrarno) - 055 219214
Fresh bagels, muffins, cookies, and brownies.

4. Caffè Giacosa - via della Spada 10 (Historical Center) - 055 2776328
Delicious pastries and great coffee.

5. Patrizio Cosi - Borgo degli Albizi 11r (Santa Croce) - 055 2480367