Florence Italy master thread

[Adam101]

Best bring from other places. We didn't find anywhere.

I emailed chabad of Venice they sent a response immediately. Mostly stuff we buy anyway (rice cakes, grape juice, jams) and some other goodies ( Italian olives...)

[Ploni3]

The food was garbage with a wait and a waste of time.
Wasn't even considered dog food,
And the prices were an utter rip off.

Your better off eating raw wheat, beans and unfiltered water from the Arno River

I assume you're referring to Ruth's. Our experience was diametrically opposite!  Must have been different time and circumstances. It's no longer relevant but goes to show you how you have to take individual reviews with a grain of salt...

[Adam101]

Anyone been to Ferrara?

[mochada]

I assume you're referring to Ruth's. Our experience was diametrically opposite!  Must have been different time and circumstances. It's no longer relevant but goes to show you how you have to take individual reviews with a grain of salt...

Been to Ruth's twice. Both had exceptional service and good food.

[Adam101]

If anyone still has doubts...

https://yeahthatskosher.com/2017/07/ruths-in-florence-italy-loses-its-kashrut-certification/
 But not without controversy in the comments

[ckmk47]

Anywhere to buy Kosher anything in Florence?

Chabad will make you supper if you pre-order it.  I ordered for my upcoming Aug trip. Easier than bringing supper.  I'll review it when I've eaten it.  My hope is that it's edible and plentiful.
https://jewishtuscanycom.clhosting.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3696683/jewish/Kosher-Dinner-Service.htm/lang/en

[@Yehuda]

Chabad will make you supper if you pre-order it.  I ordered for my upcoming Aug trip. Easier than bringing supper.  I'll review it when I've eaten it.  My hope is that it's edible and plentiful.
https://jewishtuscanycom.clhosting.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3696683/jewish/Kosher-Dinner-Service.htm/lang/en

Cool!

[Adam101]

Chabad will make you supper if you pre-order it.  I ordered for my upcoming Aug trip. Easier than bringing supper.  I'll review it when I've eaten it.  My hope is that it's edible and plentiful.
https://jewishtuscanycom.clhosting.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/3696683/jewish/Kosher-Dinner-Service.htm/lang/en

Just a quick DP: must order more than 48hrs in  advance and it's about €45\pp

[Ploni3]

As of the end of May 2017, Ruth's restaurant has been under the kosher supervision of the IKC, per an update on that yeahitskosher site. Tried to attach teudah but file was too big but there's a link on that site.  It looks like the IKC gives a number of hashgachos in NY so I'm sure some of the NYC DDs can shed some light on its acceptance level.

[Suave]

Anywhere to buy Kosher anything in Florence?

Carefeur near the shul had a small kosher section IIRC

[shaulyaakov]

As of the end of May 2017, Ruth's restaurant has been under the kosher supervision of the IKC, per an update on that yeahitskosher site. Tried to attach teudah but file was too big but there's a link on that site.  It looks like the IKC gives a number of hashgachos in NY so I'm sure some of the NYC DDs can shed some light on its acceptance level.

Generally not accepted, though, Ruth's was not accepted by most before. So it's probably a wash. Though I'm genuinely curious how a rabbi in Brooklyn is providing Hashgacha on this.

[jas1285]

Generally not accepted, though, Ruth's was not accepted by most before. So it's probably a wash. Though I'm genuinely curious how a rabbi in Brooklyn is providing Hashgacha on this.

WOW! I can not even say how disappointed I am in this thread. The total disregard for the effects your comments have on someones parnasa is astounding. Especially since they are completely false.
If you're genuinely curious than find out in a less public way. Also, who are you to say if the IKC is generally accepted, you live in your "bubble" and maybe it's not accepted there but in my "bubble" it's very accepted. This isn't Israel or America it's not as easy to make OU and name brand hechshers work.
To answer your curiousity, just like major hechshers in America, the main Rabbi associated with the hechsher doesn't visit every store every day. He has people working for him who can check up on the restaurants themselves. In this case it is the Chazzan of the shul, Jacopo Treves who is the Masgiach. It just so happens the "rabbi in Brooklyn" will be there next week but that is totally irrelevant.
This thread is literally what's wrong with the politics of Kashruth and Judaism in general. If you knew the man you were hurting you would be ashamed. He told me he would love to leave Florence to go to a city or country with a more vibrant Jewish community but he feels if he left there would be no where for Jews to get Kosher food and people might eat non-kosher, so he stays. That is the person you are doubting and hurting...

[jas1285]

Carefeur near the shul had a small kosher section IIRC

Yes, Ruths.  It was misinformation that it is not Kosher.

[jas1285]

Unless it improved dramatically since '08, you ain't missing out on much.

Disagree, ate there several times and was always good to very good. Agreed, it doesn't live up to NY restaurant standards but in a city with no other options it is awesome!

[jas1285]

I am. And would not have given the review if it had a hashgacha

Well it does have a hashgacha even if you don't hold by it. So if you really meant what you said then you should delete your previous post. Again, your posts are seriously hurting a fellow Jew who is just trying to do good.

[jas1285]

Lol, to be fair I don't think Chabad ever said to eat there.

This will be my last response on the matter, sorry for the abundance of posts. I just wish you could meet the man who owns it and see the tears he cries when he talks about how hard it is to keep a kosher place open in Florence and how much harder these posts make it.
Anyways, I lived there for a few months years ago and had a relationship with both chabad and Ruths and their lack of recommendation of Ruths has everything to do with their poor relationship. I tried to help them mend fences, it didn't work. As great as chabad is, they are not unbiased in this situation and can't be counted on to make any unbiased recomendation regarding the kasruth of Ruths. If you are concerned I promise the owner would let you into his kitchen to check his ingredients and even light the flame for the food he is cooking you. He has an open kitchen and nothing to hide. Feel free to do some more of your own research. And please let's just be more open minded with each other. 
Dan you didn't say anything wrong, this was directed at the Dans deals community. Keep up the good work.

[moish]

Disagree, ate there several times and was always good to very good. Agreed, it doesn't live up to NY restaurant standards but in a city with no other options it is awesome!

in '08?

[Adam101]

Chabad (down the street from Ruths) just told me (and a bunch of ultra orthodox chassidim) that as of this week the kashrus teudah was pulled. As the article states. Need any more clarification?
No one is saying it isn't Kosher. But i doubt most people here would eat somewhere there isn't a teudah.

[jas1285]

Chabad (down the street from Ruths) just told me (and a bunch of ultra orthodox chassidim) that as of this week the kashrus teudah was pulled. As the article states. Need any more clarification?
No one is saying it isn't Kosher. But i doubt most people here would eat somewhere there isn't a teudah.

Again, misinformation. They changed hashgachas. It was under the supervision of the Rabbi of the Shul (next door) however, the Rabbi is no longer with the shul so they got a new certification until they replace the Rabbi. Current and up to date Teudah can be found here: https://nrt3p27yx671tjb2n1qst3r1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/teudah-kashruth-5777.pdf or in the link of this Yeahthatskosher.com post https://yeahthatskosher.com/2017/07/ruths-in-florence-italy-loses-its-kashrut-certification/

[jas1285]

in '08?

Weirdly yes, but also been back since then.