Seafood & More Seafood

Il Ristorantino di Pesce, Piazza Giorgini 20/r. Open every day except Monday. Tel. 055/0351155. Info: www.ilristorantodipesce.it

Ristorantino di Pesce is a small Florentine seafood restaurant focused on serving a mixture of tasty fish-based dishes. Available for walk-in meals and aperitivos, Tuesday through Thursday between 12-3 pm and 7-11 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7-11 pm.

Owner Samuele Gallori, founder of Panino Tondo in 2010, is behind this new establishment and demands only the most fresh and delicious recipes be served at the table. Gallori’s  inspiration comes directly from his grandmother and the manner in which his family used to cook seafood growing up…the right way.

The restaurant, located in Piazza Giorgini, is hard to miss with its bright blue doors and white interiors, where the walls are ‘tattooed’ by only a few artworks of anchors and sailors. Ristorantino di Pesce exudes an edgy and modern aesthetic, while still maintaining a comfortable atmosphere and ambiance. The casual lighting in the restaurant makes it the perfect spot for lunch or dinner, and any type of occasion.

The decor in the restaurant is as thought through as the menu, in that the key is simplicity. Taking inspiration from street food as well as gourmet kitchen, there will be dishes that are always on the menu and then three or four that will rotate to bring a variety to the list of choices.

Using tapas as appetizers allows for sampling of new dishes or specialties, which with a glass of wine or beer becomes a delicious aperitivino. For a full meal, there are fried and grilled daily options followed by a variety of fresh pastas and seafood tacos. Other possibilities include hot paninis, seafood platters and to finish off the experience a variety of desserts including brownies with melted chocolate and pan dolce al limocello.

Having sampled some of the food this writer can only testify to the mouth-watering dishes available, such as the salted calamari and zucchini served in a funky steel tin, and the playfully delicious shrimp covered in a yellow, curry sauce and served with a side of basmati rice.

Each dish has a unique, diverse flavor and always manages to amaze with its natural, crisp taste. The food is influenced by blends of flavors from all over the world including Latin America, the Middle East and traditional Western Europe.  Helpful staff will gladly recommend the best wines and beers to accompany your meal.

As Samuele mentioned, “this restaurant is for people who like to eat,” therefore he means he wants people to enjoy food as if it were made from a home cooked kitchen. Aside from the already wonderful food, the service at Ristorantino di Pesce is provided by wait staff who genuinely want to make sure that the customer fully enjoys their meal. (rachel hinojosa)