Here's a guide to my favorite wine bars and trattorias in the neighborhoods of major cultural attractions in Florence. Look for my decal in the window. And tell them Divina Cucina sent you!

The Duomo Procacci Via Tornabuoni, 64R Tel: 055-211-656 Located on Florence's most famous shopping street, Procacci remains the only original shop on the street. Opened in 1885 by Sig. Procacci, it is now owned by the Antinori family who have maintained the shop as it was intended. It's a favorite stop for a tiny bite. Most people get a glass of prosecco and one of the famous truffle sandwiches. If you are hungry, you'll need several! For wine lovers, check out the prices of some of the Antinori wines. They are generally less here than in other shops! Also a great place for picking up some wonderful speciality food items. Trattoria Croce al Trebbio Via Delle Belle Donne, 47-49R Tel: 055-28-7089 Hidden away between Piazza Santa Maria Novella and Via Tornabuoni, Trattoria Croce al Trebbio has always been a favorite of mine. It's simple Tuscan food prepared well. They have incredible mozzarella! The antipasto plate is wonderful, so go here for one of your complete Tuscan meals! Great prices too. It is very attractive inside. In nice weather, they take over the small piazza and fill it with tables. (Look up and you will see the Croce.) Grom Via delle Oche 24R on the corner of Via del Campanile Web Torino's most famous gelateria has opened in Florence! Just one block from the Duomo, it is a must for connosieurs. Grom uses milk from small producers as well as organic eggs and Slow Food products such as Amalfi's lemons, hazelnuts from the Langhe, and pistachios from Bronte in Sicily near Mount Etna. Seasonal flavors during grand opening month (May 2005) included a pear sorbet with Venezualan chocolate chips (chocolate from Guido Gobino, one of Torino's best), as well as their own version of cookies n' cream and Crema di Grom with a special cornmeal cookie broken into the cream-flavored gelato. Coffee lovers should not miss the Gelato di Caffè made with Guatemalan coffee! What delights will future months bring? Coquinarius Via delle Oche,15R Tel: 055-23-02-153 Closed on Sunday (except when they close Florence to traffic on Sundays once a month); Winter open Sunday for brunch A new enoteca/caffè. Hidden off the main street of Via Calzaiuoli, this is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of Florence. Open from 9:00 until late at night, you can have breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner! Pastas are light and lovely. Salads are a full meal. Save room for their warm chocolate cake! The enoteca offers a fine selection of Italian, Austrian, Chilean, Argentine, and California wines. Cantinetta Antinori Piazza Antinori, 3 Tel: 055-292-234 Closed Saturday, Sunday & August. The Antinori family, one of Florence's oldest wine-making dynasties, has a fabulous restaurant in the family villa in central Florence. It features their wines in a simple yet elegant location. The service is excellent and has always been a favorite for a relaxed meal. Don't miss the fascinating inner courtyard display of miniatures of the Antinori properties. They have just opened the Osteria di Passignano at the winery at Badia a Passignano, in the village of Tavarnelle. Again, it's elegant but not fussy. I'll try it soon. Watch for my review. Bizzarri Via della Condotta, 32R Tel: 055-211-580 A great shop that looks like something from Merlin! I go here to purchase essences and special cooking spices for my cooking. Their truffle (tartufo), blended with softened butter, will make some great pasta sauces and risotti. Migone Via dei Calzailuoli, 85-87R Tel: 055-214-004 Closed Sunday & Monday. Florence's most traditional candy store! A must for gifts for the foodies in your life! Here's where brides get the little gifts with the wonderful sugared almonds of Sulmona for their guests. Panforte, riccarelli, a chocolate orange sweet, and much more. Everything is beautifully wrapped in Florentine paper. You can even get sweets packaged in a Duomo-shaped box! Caffé Italiano Via della Condotta, 56R Owned by Umberto Montana of Alle Murate fame. You can eat here at all hours of the day. Breakfast, lunch buffet, tea, and afternoon snacks. It features an ever-changing menu; food items are prepared at Alle Murate, and the incredible desserts are made on the premises. Perchè no! Gelateria Via dei Tavolini Opposite Cantinetta dei Verrazzano (next listing) One of my favorite ice cream parlors just got a face lift! I was worried that there was a new owner; however, no fear. Same people, same young smiling servers, same incredible gelato! This is where my husband Andrea goes for semifreddo ("almost cold") which he prefers to gelato ("frozen"). Semifreddo's are flavored whipped creams that melt in your mouth! They have a new flavor, Miele e Sesamo, honey and sesame. The combination reminds me of the tender sesame brittle I've had in Greece. Cantinetta dei Verrazzano Via dei Tavolini, 18-20 Tel: 055-268-590 Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (July & August 3 p.m.). Closed Sunday. In 1992, Antoinetta Bagnoli opened the Cantinetta, for the first time uniting the Castello dei Verrazzano winery in Chianti with the Florentine bakery, Il Fornaio, and the salami's from Falorni in Greve. Her concept is fabulous! It's one of my favorite places to take a break almost any time of the day. Half the shop is an elegant wine bar with no surcharge for sitting. It serves only wines from Verrazzano, breads from Il Fornaio, and salami from Falorni. Tasting plates are available. The other side is more of a cafe, offering juice, coffee, sandwiches, and focaccia made in their woodburning oven. To finish a meal, order some biscotti and vin santo or a great grappa and cookies. Tripe Stand Another chance to try the famous Florentine tripe sandwich. Easy to find in front of the American Express offices on Via Dante Alighieri. While you're in the neighborhood, don't miss Casa degli Alighieri, a reconstruction of the house in which Dante may have been born. Via Santa Margherita, 1, Tel: 055-21-94-16. Fiaschetteria "I Fratellini" Via dei Cimatori, 38R Probably the smallest wine bar in Florence. Opened in 1875, it's one of the most fun! Locals refer to it by the nickname "I Gemellini". Push your way up to the bar (say "Permesso" as you pass), and order one of the wines they've opened for sampling. Choose something from their menu, a crostini or sandwich, and work your way back out onto the street. Fortunately, there's no traffic and you can enjoy the scene. In the bar, there's a wooden glass holder on the wall where you can rest your glass while eating. Spaces are numbered to help you remember which is yours! When you're done, head back up the block to Perché No ice cream parlor on Via Tavolini. Robiglio Via dei Servi, 112 One of the best pastry shops in Florence. Stand up with your cappuccino and a wonderful breakfast sweet. Click on the sight below that you plan to visit and I'll recommend the best place nearby to stop for a bite to eat. Galleria dell'Accademia Cappelle Medicee Museo del Bargello Palazzo Vecchio Mercato di San Lorenzo Mercato di San Ambrogio Santa Croce The Duomo Santa Maria Novella Oltrarno Fuori Porta (Outskirts)