Florence, Italy: Lo Scudo

Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

We found Lo Scudo while walking behind the Duomo in Florence, attracted by the meat displayed at the window. We loved it so much that we went there twice during our trip: once for lunch and once for dinner, trying various dishes and of course the steak. This place is less than two years old but the owners, Alessandro and Federico succeeded in creating a nice atmosphere, very welcoming, where tourists and locals mingle. This is the kind of restaurant that truly knows what hospitality means and their food was superb.

Dining room at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Dining room at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Here is what we had:

Of course, you should not be surprised that I had a spritz, one of the most popular cocktails…with tourists!

Spritz at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Spritz at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Insalata mista, a salad composed of organic mixed greens with tomato, carrots and olives.

Insalata mista at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Insalata mista at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Caprese di burrata e basilico, an appetizer made with burrata cheese, cuori di bue tomatoes and basil. That burrata was perfectly creamy.

Burrata with tomato at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Burrata with tomato at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Burrata with tomato at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Burrata with tomato at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Carciofi indivia parmigiano a scaglie olio e limone or Artichokes endive with parmigiano and lemon and olive oil dressing. I loved it: artichokes are unfortunately not often proposed on menu and, when I was a kid, we used to eat them with a vinaigrette, dipping the leaves and the core in it, after ditching the fuzzy center.

Artichokes at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Artichokes at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan soup made with stale bread. This was amazing: tasty and comforting.

Pappa al pomodoro at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Pappa al pomodoro at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Pappa al pomodoro at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Pappa al pomodoro at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Linguine al nero di seppia, vongole veraci e bottarga di muggine or Black squid linguini with veraci clams and bottarga: this was an amazing dish: the homemade squid ink pasta was superb, perfectly cooked al dente, smothered in a delicious sauce that I finished with pieces of bread...

Squid ink linguine at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Squid ink linguine at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Squid ink linguine at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Squid ink linguine at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Then was the Bistecca alla Fiorentina or T-bone steak that you can find all over in Florence, but with various quality of meat. At Lo Scudo, they serve Chianina beef that is one of the oldest breed of cattle in the world and if you look at photos on the internet, you will be amazed by its size. To prove me that this was Chianina meat, they showed me the certificate that authenticates it. Butchering it was a bit difficult for them as you can see on the video and then, they put it on the grill for some time, until reaching a perfect rare to medium-rare temperature as this is recommended. The meat, aged for 28 days, was tender, juicy and very flavorful. I definitely recommend going to Lo Scudo for it!

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Bistecca alla Fiorentina at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Last was dessert: we had their tiramisu that was a great way to end these meals: it was so creamy, with the necessary hint of coffee, but without being overwhelming.

Tiramisu at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Tiramisu at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Tiramisu at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

Tiramisu at Lo Scudo in Florence, Italy

I am a big fan of Lo Scudo: it is a great place that I definitely recommend and will surely go there on my next trip to Florence.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Lo Scudo - Via dell' Oriuolo, 53, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy.