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Have a dinner just over the Roman Amphitheatre King of the Florentine Jungle
[caitlin dwyer]
Twenty steps off Piazza Santa Croce down the narrow, curving Via Torta, Ristorante Leo presents an unassumingly plain facade. But the simplicity perfectly represents the attitude of this family-owned restaurant; the elegant food is made using basic ingredients, relying on the inventiveness of the recipes and the freshness of ingredients to distinguish itself. Catering to the cultivated dinner-goer, Leo offers a diverse selection of delicious Italian dishes; primi piatti range from 6.50-10.00 euros and secondi average around 18 euros.Warm candlelight and Italian landscapes hung at eye level give the welcoming sense of dining in an elegant home. A varying entourage of efficient, friendly waiters, all of whom speak excellent English, bustle through the three dining rooms. The comfortable atmosphere is augmented by Leo’s owners, who visit each table eager to recommend the house specialities. One of these is the carpaccio di zucchini, an antipasto of thin slices of zucchini whose delicate, fresh flavor complements the sharpness of its Parmesan cheese topping. Gnocchi with porcini mushrooms or an herb-laden ravioli stuffed with fresh cheese, followed by well-cooked meats or a delicate fillet of fish, round out the evening.
Leo’s famous bistecca fiorentina, served with a side of roasted potatoes, tempts as a tender and juicy option. Leo also boasts a soft, velvety-textured house wine and delicious dolce della casa, a lighter, creamier variation on cheesecake topped with sweet berry sauce.
The restaurant has an impressive history: built on the former grounds of a Roman amphitheatre, the building itself still contains its original 700-year old decoration.
Now in its third generation of ownership, Leo came into existence in 1937 under the hand of the family patriarch, who himself invented many of the recipes still on the menu. In the welcoming interior and meticulous culinary creations, Leo’s pride in its history shines.
Elegant without any stuffiness, Ristorante Leo provides a perfect option for either special occasions or simply a delicious and unique daily dining experience.
The restaurant is open 12am-3pm, 7-11pm daily, on Via Torta 7r.
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