Bar Caffe Cristallo In Empoli

15/12/2023: We ate here on our 2nd / last night in Florence. It was about 5 blocks from our hotel and probably about 3 from the entrance to the train station. There seemed to be a true interior dining room and also a well-enclosed sidewalk/patio dining area (heated, I assume). We opted for inside. I don't recall any one thing that distinguishes this spot in my memory. It was similar to 2 or 3 other places we had eaten in Italy. That isn't a criticism, but when you are travelling and have little frame of reference, similar places sometims run together. The interior decor at multiple Italian places was surprisingly similar, though they had no business relationship to each other. The food here was good. I got lasagna, my daughter got a differnet noodle dish, and my wife got a steak. We all split a salad. I had a glass of Pino Gris too. I'd consider coming back here for a meal if I were in Florence again.

03/08/2023: We absolutely loved dinner here!! We felt like we belonged! The staff was excited to see us! We had a lovely table! Yes we went a bit early for Italy dinner but they were busy and became busier while we were there!! It’s a mixture of locals and tourists!! Ok the menu…. So hard to choose!! It all looked wonderful!! And it was!!!! How did we find this little off the beaten path restaurant!?? TripAdvisor!! Yes!! I looked here for a local place near our hotel that was not near tourist attractions! So thanks!!! The food was delicious and the wine perfect!! We took our time…. Had the best tiramisu in Italy we think!!! So… add this jewel to your list!