Now, don't misunderstand me. Italy has some of the most fresh produce, seafood...ingredients in general, that I have ever had. You can taste and FEEL the difference. Mmmmmm...
So, in ode to the food that I miss the most, to the restaurants that served them, the people that made them and if you should ever find yourself in Firenze, feel free to use this as a food guide.
Antipasti:
hands down my all time favorite is the Coccoli:
This is normally served with prosciutto and stracchino. This appetizer is a native of the Tuscan region and absolutely delish! It is fried pizza dough balls with tuscan ham and fresh spreadable cheese. Now, if you have never had pizza dough from Italy, you have never had pizza. The absolute best that I have had, and trust me...I have ordered it in every restaurant I have eaten at that offers it, is at MostoDolce on via Nazionale.
Primi Piatti:
for the Pasta plate, unfortunately you can not just go into a restaurant and order this...you gotta actually KNOW him. The Risotto con zucchini made by the famous Chef Rami Stagli.
After a long night of partying, drinking and closing bar after bar...Rami suggests that we all go back to his house and have dinner/breakfast (since this is at roughly 5am). We all stagger into his house and take our proper seats while Hampus and Lauren serenade Antonella and I with guitars and wonderful music. Rami gets to work in his kitchen and in 20 minutes flat, we have our Risotto. OMG, I died and went to Italian heaven. I can never have risotto again. Thank you for ruining that for me.
Pizza:
Everyone in Florence claimed their favorite, but mine...mine is the Buonparte at The Club House. The pizza is served with spicy salami and gorgonzola. I only got pizza when Gregorio was working cos he baked it to perfection EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. Too bad he is not there anymore.
Secondi Piatti:
for the main course, your trip to Florence would NEVER be complete until you have had a Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This T-Bone steak is no joke. You have to order it by the kilo at a minimum of one kilo (that is about 2 lbs for us Americans) and stands about 5-6 cm high (2 inches). Like, WHO does that? Me...and a few times. I would suggest it at Osteria de Pazzi near Santa Croce.
Dolce:
I dont even have enough words to describe the house made Tiramisu and Cheesecake that they serve at 4 Leoni in Piazza Passera. All I can tell you is that it was life changing. Even if I ate across town, I would walk across Ponte Vecchio and have dessert there.
I am not saying that these are the ONLY places with the goods so if you find yourself traveling abroad to the beautiful town of Florence, let me know and I can give you the food tour!
Secondi Piatti:
for the main course, your trip to Florence would NEVER be complete until you have had a Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This T-Bone steak is no joke. You have to order it by the kilo at a minimum of one kilo (that is about 2 lbs for us Americans) and stands about 5-6 cm high (2 inches). Like, WHO does that? Me...and a few times. I would suggest it at Osteria de Pazzi near Santa Croce.
Dolce:
I dont even have enough words to describe the house made Tiramisu and Cheesecake that they serve at 4 Leoni in Piazza Passera. All I can tell you is that it was life changing. Even if I ate across town, I would walk across Ponte Vecchio and have dessert there.
I am not saying that these are the ONLY places with the goods so if you find yourself traveling abroad to the beautiful town of Florence, let me know and I can give you the food tour!
