Janice C.
Yelp
4.5 stars
I.
Can't.
Eat.
Anymore.
I'm talking "roll me out of here in a wheelbarrow, wear your sweatpants, opening the belt not just one notch, but three!" type of fullness.
Yes, it's VERY touristy, they don't have a menu so you don't know what you're getting until you sit down for dinner AND you'll be seated with complete strangers (who else enjoys this when traveling? I do!) but believe me, the experience is worth it. Make sure to call or email them for a reservation as there are only two seatings for the night, one at 7:30pm and another at 9:30pm. The food is well prepared and comes out in HUGE quantities. The waiters are friendly, speak flawless English and all around, very efficient.
When you sit down, help yourself to unlimited bread and Chianti. That's right. Wine flows here like water. We didn't think we'd finish the 2 liter bottle of Chianti in no time, but we did. The antipasti soon comes out after pleasantries, we got prosciutto and melon, chicken liver crostini and a bean salad. After that, they'll ask you whether you want beef ravioli or gnocchi with rabbit. (OMG!) Then, you'll be presented with the biggest steak in your life! I asked for it to be cooked medium rare, but it was REALLY pink when it came out, and for a millisecond, I thought I should send this back. But, I cut it with my knife and dare I say, it needed no chewing at all. Super tender, flavorful and they put this light gravy sauce on it that's like MAGIC. Also, the steak is as big as my head!
After that you think, oh I'm full. But the show must go on. They give you dessert BEFORE the main dessert. A plate of cantucci (aka biscotti to us Americans) arrives at the table with glasses of Vin Santo. The real desserts are a simple panna cotta topped with fresh strawberries and a traditional Florentine almond cake. Both are divine! And then.....they give you more booze. We actually turned down glasses of limoncello!
The check arrives to conclude your two hour meal and you're thinking, "I'm gonna be broke!" nope. It's about €45 per person, the owner calculates your price based on how much you ate and drank. A little sketchy? well, that's how it's done here.
If you're not comatose by the time you walk out of here, Il Latini didn't do their job right.