Florence repasts

I was in Florence, Italy, on a Christmas-in-Florence tour, Dec. 21-28, ’04, and found several good places to eat in the Centro Storico area. Both are on the street that is about one block from the famed Ponte Vecchio.

• On Borgo Santi Apostoli is Il Boccale Ristorante (Borgo S.S. Apostoli, 33r; tel. 283384). I had pasta, grilled veal, salad, custard, a quarter bottle of red wine, a small water and coffee for €18 (near $24).

Il Boccale is a small place — only nine tables — and is open for lunch and dinner. With excellent food and great service, it is popular with the locals.

• The name of Borgo Santi Aposto­li Street changes when it crosses Via Por Santa Maria and it becomes Via Lambertesca. At Trattoria Antico Fattore (Via Lambertesca, 1/3r; tel. 288975), four of us had dinner, enjoying salad or pasta, a main course, wine, water and dessert for €15 each.

There are other small places on these streets, but I did not get their business cards.

The hot chocolate and the chocolate candy bars at Rivoire in the Piazza della Signoria are excellent anytime.

JAMES F. OLANDER
Arlington, VA