Uffizi and Il Latini

We had reservations to visit the Uffizi Gallery on Tuesday evening, so after a short nap at the hotel, we headed back out and made our way to the museum. Jake and I were both really exited to visit the Gallery, but I have to say, we were somewhat disappointed!
I know, you're thinking how could you possibly be disappointed in the Uffizi?! But the museum was the most crowded and tourist filled place that we had visited so far. You could hardly enter the gallery rooms, let alone enjoy the paintings because the place was so filled with large tour groups. We tried three times to go see the Birth of Venus, but each time she was surrounded by at least sixty people, and it was hard to get close enough to really see it. There were at least three times as many people there, than had been at the David that morning! It really surprised me. It also didn't help that the Uffizi isn't air conditioned, so it was very hot and stuffy in there. Jake and I both agreed that we weren't having the best time, but it would be a shame to be at the Gallery, and to not at least walk through all of the rooms. We did eventually get close enough to see Venus, as well as some other wonderful paintings by Botticelli, and a few by DaVinci as well! After about an hour and a half of fighting the crowds, we'd had enough, and we headed back to the hotel to get changed for dinner.
We had reservations at Il Latini for 9:30 that night. Il Latini is a restaurant recommended to us by Jeff and Nicole, and we were really excited to try it. They only do two seatings each night - 7:30 and 9:30, and you are seated family style with the other diners. You also don't really order food - you pretty much just tell them what courses you want, and then eat what they bring you.
We were seated with a couple from Boston, who were also on their honeymoon, and there was a couple at the table next to us who were from Rochester! Isn't it a small world? We had fun getting to know them over dinner.
The food was amazing at this place. Our appetizer was a tuscan style variety of sliced meats, including freshly shaved prosciutto, a caprese salad, and this cold grain salad with olive oil, tomatoes and celery. It was fantastic! For the primi patti Jake ordered Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), and I got spinach and cheese ravioli. Delizioso! For secondi patti we shared a florentine steak, and it was seriously the largest steak I'd ever seen in my life!! It was at least two inches thick. Jake and I together couldn't finish it! The size of our steak caused Jake to reminisce about a restaurant he went to in Texas once that offered a 72 ounce steak for free if you could finish it in one hour. When Jake told the story, the lady from Rochester at the next table started laughing and told him that she had eaten there as well!! I guess it's a common tourist stop when you're driving across the country.
For dessert, Jake ordered a panna cotta, and I got the Creme Caramel. They also served us cappuchinos and some really delicious dessert wine. Just as we were finishing up they came around one more time with shots of Jaegermeister. It was a really great meal. If you're ever in florence, you should definitely check it out!