Ristorante San Lorenzo

al. Jana Pawła II 36, tel. 652-1616.

Open daily 12:00-last guest.

Having recently heard some unfavorable comments about the food, we went to take another look at San Lorenzo. We are happy to report that, fortunately, the place hasn't changed: it's still huge and classy, and still dishing out excellent Italian food from the famous Tuscany region. The unfortunate bit remains that its luxury comes at a price.

After a drink at the bar, we walked up the stairs to a cozy, peaceful little corner on the top floor. The relaxing atmosphere was exactly what we needed on a Friday night after a difficult week at work. Nearly dying of hunger, we pounced on the menus and found some real treasures: fish cream and octopus in white wine. Both starters were rich in flavor and simply gorgeous, and very effectively brought us back to the world of the living. To carry on the feast, for mains we chose Florentine steak with grilled vegetables and ravioli a quatro fromaggio. While the steak was good, the ravioli - and the four-cheese sauce in particular - was absolutely out of this world. It was creamy, flavorsome and filling. Thanks to a bottle of Leonardo Chianti and our beautiful and persuasive waitress, we managed to find some room for dessert and opted for raspberry sorbet with champagne, served in a champagne glass. It made a perfect ending to a lovely meal.

Given that the warm season has finally set in here, there will be one more reason to pop into San Lorenzo in summer - its outside seating overlooking al. Jana Pawła, just walking distance from an evening screening at Kino Femina. HHH