Mario's place is fantastic! We spent four weeks exploring Florence using his apartment as our "home away from home". The location is terrific; mere minutes from all of the major sites and easy to walk further afield for the lessor known churches, museums and sites. The number of restaurants, cafes, and bars in the neighborhood far exceeded our ability to visit them all due to lack of time. The apartment is very comfortable and very well provisioned (one of the best we've ever visited). Do note that there are three floors: the bedroom is an upstairs loft, the living room and main bathroom are on the ground floor; and, the kitchen and half-bathroom are on the lower level. If stairs are a problem for you, then you may want to think twice about this apartment. If you find that stairs would be a great way to burn off some of those fantastic meals, then this apartment works exceptionally well! As for restaurants: be sure to download the app "TheFork" - a great way to make reservations for restaurants in Florence (and other parts of Europe). The app works really well - far better than OpenTable in the States. There are several grocery stores within easy walking distance (the fresh pasta at Pasta Fresca in the Mercato Centrale is excellent!). For excellent produce, go to the farmers' market at Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio (much better than the Mercato Centrale). For a terrific wine shop, go to Enoteca Bussotti on Via San Gallo. Enjoy your stay!