Before diving into a formal review of La Grotta Toscana, I think it's good for any American tourist to know 3 important elements of Tuscan dining. First, traditional bread in the region is Unsalted, and to many Americans will be unpalatable by itself.
There are several theories about its origin, but just know that it's best to be eaten with the entree (often with rich sauces) and not by itself. So - don't go posting 1-star Yelp reviews based on tasteless bread...it's the norm in the area.
Second - if you ever order the famed Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (steak), know that many local restaurants will only serve it rare (and barely that!), so don't expect to have it cooked to your level of doneness. If you're a well done steak person, well, I'd probably advise you to just generally order chicken anywhere you go, not just in Italy.
Last, a note on service. In Italy, servers are generally trained to take the order, deliver the food, and then stay away. The Italians believe in true dining (not just eating), and it's meant to be a social affair with the company you keep, without the invasion of servers. They won't automatically bring you a bill, and they are unlikely to check-in unless you request them.
Ok, that out of the way, we had a great experience at La Grotta. From the start, the Interior felt charming and we were warmly welcomed. We'd been going heavy on pastas, so we skipped it on this dinner, and went directly for meat entrees. They did not disappoint! We ordered Spezziano Cinghiale (Wild Boar), Ossobuco (Oxtail), Filleto Di Manzo (steak filet), which when paired with the local Brunello wine were fantastic.
The Cinghiale is also a specialty dish in the Tuscan region, and my wife because a huge fan on this trip. I think the Ossobuco at under 20 EUR was a steal of a deal, and we also scored a 50% discount(!) by booking through The Fork mobile app. We found the service to be friendly and the overall experience a positive one. Given its proximity to the Cattedrale, I was concerned about being too touristy, but it was not. A great find for us! read more