Hey JoMal!
Thanks for the tips, even though they are retroactive, which BTW is entirely my fault.
You will be relieved to know that I did eat at Il Latini. Actually, my girlfriend studied abroad in Florence seven years ago or so and a few of her friends married local Italian guys (go figure?). Anyway, one of her good friends has another friend who is engaged to a guy that works at Il Latini. As a result, we were ushered in past a huge crowd waiting outside for the late seating, were comp'd a bunch of wine and in general just had an incredible time and meal. We basically sampled all of it, apps, three pastas, and then a plethora of meats including steak, veal and rabbit. I absolutely loved Il Latini; however, I personally liked La Giostra better. A friend had recommended this place to me and it blew me away. A crazy old man with long white hair is the chef and owner and it's completely run by him and his family. Great atmosphere and food to die for. You've probably tried it already, but if not I would highly recommend it. Of course debating which of these restaurants is "better" is akin to debating whether the Ferrari or Lamborghini is a finer sports car.
Just to stay on topic, the more I've seen the Bowen/Stoudimire replays from different angles (i.e., not the one on the youtube link I provided), the less I believe this was a cheap shot. It looks like Bowen just sort of awkwardly tries to slow is pace and his foot ends up sticking out a little far for balance. I don't think it was calculated or cheap in any way and I'm having a hard time getting behind Stoudimire and his crybaby coach at all in this series. Go Spurs Go!
msc -
I did not mean to rag on you about not asking my opinion before going, and that sounds pretty presumptuous of me anyway, but what I like to hear is that someone WENT there at all. It still surprises me how few people I know have actually gone to Europe, or visited places that I have been.
The food at II Latini certainly bears mention, but you missed the fun part - waiting out there with the huge crowd clamoring to get in. "The Bear", I am sure, you met. He keeps that large crowd in line, remembers faces, and matches them up to other people to sit at the same tables, and while you wait, brings out wine and cheese. In other words, you go to II Latini to sit with strangers, not people you already know. Both times we went there, "The Bear" had to ask us to leave because we were enjoying ourselves so much, the place closed around us. I love a place that has to throw you out for having a good time!!
I might have gone to La Giostra, though the name does not ring a bell. I have a journal I keep on every trip to Europe and my wife also compiles a hotel and restaurant information guide for reference. There are two other restaurants in Florence that were outstanding, but I have to look them up to see if one of them was La Giostra. There also is one I logged in for opposite reasons. A place I tell people to avoid at all costs. Run by a bitch who provides slop to tourists and figures she won't see them again so who cares if they complain.
Final comment. Don't know if your girlfriend ever visited these places while studying in Italy, but if not, well - go there next time anyway - Sirimioni, on Lake Garda; Orvieto, on the train route south right before Rome; the Cinqueterra, near Pisa on the Mediterranean; and Siena, which is near Florence. To properly enjoy each, try to stay at least two nights in each. If interested at some point on more info on them, don't hesitate to ask.
Now, on topic. I have to disagree about Bowen, simply because there seem to be too many similar cases where his foot, or his knee "just happens" to be where it does the most damage. It stopped being a coincidence after the twentieth or thirtieth time it occurred. He is very good at making people think it was accidental, but that is the beauty of it.
