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Botteghe di Donatello RestaurantDining in the Duomo’s Shadow

Fondue for Two
[caitlin dwyer]

Fondue for Two!Follow the curve of Piazza del Duomo around to the back, where the dome itself rises up out of the cathedral: there, in the ancient building that once housed the studio of its renowned sculptor namesake, the Ristorante Le Botteghe di Donatello sizzles up grilled fish and cheesy bruschetta for diners with a hankering for a Duomo-side seat.

Owners Filippo Cati and Massimo Manfredi renovated the old studio space to create the restaurant, and also run the nearby Donatello cantina and wine shop. Spacious, pleasant, and well-lit, Le Botteghe di Donatello provides a solid Tuscan meal beside Florence’s most famous landmark.
The restaurant prides itself on its seafood – the menu offers a variety of both first and second courses featuring fish, scallops, clams, and other frutti di mare.

From the wood-burning oven come an array traditional-style pizzas, ranging from 7-9 euros – a highlight is the Pizza Donatello, with smoked cheese, olives, eggplant, mushrooms and rucola. They also have a “Big Salad” menu. The main courses are generally simple, with hearty tastes familiar to Americans: gnocchi with smoked mozzarella and basil, risotto with asparagus, or fettucine with seafood for primi (7-9 euros), and grilled meats served with polenta and vegetables for secondi (13-19 euros). Pumpkin ravioli, whose sweetness is cut by a fragrant, rich saffron and smoked prosciutto sauce, offers a more daring pasta option. Aside from the traditional Italian desserts, Le Botteghe di Donatello also boasts a dark chocolate, fruit and biscotti fondue for two or more people.

Candlelit and decorated with traditional fresco-style paintings, the restaurant appeals to both tourists and Italian businesspeople from the centro area. With a card available at the restaurant, students receive a 15% discount.

Centrally located, with solid cuisine and efficient service, Le Botteghe di Donatello is open daily from 11am – 12 midnight.


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