Sorry for the late response...The Quintess Florence property is in a very good area. Although we did walk to town, a young child could not do it. Maybe one way down to town, but definitely NOT back up the hill to the home. Two adults from our group chose to take a taxi home after walking to town.
If you want to rent a car for seeing the countryside, by all means do it. We did and we had a great time just exploring Tuscany. It cost about $1000 for a six passenger van for a week...plus gas! Do not attempt to drive into historic downtown Florence as it would be a headache. Parking is impossible and you cannot get much closer to town than the home itself. Just call a cab for a quick ride to downtown Florence, but you are right...no going back and forth.
As far as the restaurants, there are a couple within short walking distance of the home. We did eat at Omero and it was fair. The setting is fabulous but we must have ordered the wrong thing. I had the Tuscan beef something or other and it was dry. Our friends ate there the night before we arrived and wanted to go back the second night. They said the first night was better. Order the pasta. I think it is worth trying. There is another restaurant nearby but we actually cooked in all the other nights so I cannot make a recommendation. We were fortunate to have friends who are great cooks and so we just ate lunch out every day, but stayed in for dinner and wine! We shopped for food during the day and cooked it each night. If our group did not include great cooks, I would have arranged the chef to come in.
When are you going? There is a nice swimming pool if the weather is warm. The grounds around the home are fun to explore and you get a great view of downtown Florence if you walk up by the castle. See if the local host can arrange a tour of the two Tuscan villas. We were able to view the one near Rodda and met the people staying there. They treated us to some wine and we reciprocated the following day as they visited us in Florence. (hopefully the guests will be friendly enough to let you come in) The Rodda villa is quite remote. It is absolutely beautiful but the Florence property is in a better location. Much more to do from that starting point.
