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peopleWining and dining in the sun or under the stars

A late spring meal outside...
[Susan Glasspool]

The warmer weather means that life in the city tends to be lived out of doors and therefore most restaurants and bars open up their gardens or set up tables surrounded by plants right outside their premises. Wide sunshades protect diners from the lunchtime heat, while the evenings are often enlivened by various kinds of live entertainment to entice clients (in the hopes that they will stay until closing time)!
All these can vary considerably in size, price and comfort: “gardens” are sometimes inner courtyards, terraces can be up about six flights of stairs to the roof (with the consequent delays in service), but most of them are pleasant, if not delightful and often give onto unique vistas. They do at least allow us to illude ourselves that summer is really here to stay! However do select with care as it is not always pleasant eating out in a busy street with dozens of Vespas whizzing by...
Most restaurants have air conditioning inside and therefore, should you arrive too late to grab one of the limited number of outside tables, you needn’t worry about being to hot for comfort! One more “word of wisdom”... check that you are not expected to pay extra for eating outside rather than inside. If you know beforehand, you can at least decide whether it is worth it...
Restaurants with outside dining areas include NapoLeone in Piazza del Carmine 24, though only for dinner.
The O!O Bar con Cucina in Piazza Piattellina 7r, just off Piazza del Carmine, offers meals and snacks throughout the day that can be enjoyed on its outside terrace.
Grotta di Leo in Via della Scala, 41/43r (tel. 055.219265) offers traditional Tuscan menus every day in its delightful interior and at its tables outside.
The delicious Tuscan cuisine of Trattoria Zazà in Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26/27r can also be enjoyed in the outside terrace overlooking the square.
B.Gallo in Piazza del Duomo 1 (Tel. 055.219251) is a really special restaurant that combines tasting with a view and tables directly onto Piazza del Duomo, though off the beaten track of crowds of tourists.
In Via Panzani 57r, La Dantesca overlooking Piazza Santa Maria Novella, is a real pizza paradise, though it also offers Tuscan menus and alternative dishes, many based on fish. Dine outside and enjoy the view over the square.


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