Everybody Loves Tuscany

ARA è Sicilia Run don’t walk to this Sicilian restaurant in Florence!  I honestly can’t remember the last restaurant that I went to that I was overwhelmed with delight by the combination of flavors and quality of dishes.  Daily specials are offered in addition to the regular menu so be sure to check the board where […]

Mercato Centrale Firenze The Mercato Centrale (Central Market in English), or Mercato di San Lorenzo in Florence is located between via dell’Ariento, via Sant’Antonino, via Panicale and Piazza del Mercato Centrale. It is one of the results from the time of risanamento, the period when Florence was the capital of Italy in the late nineteenth […]

Antica Macelleria Falorni  This macelleria is famous for prosciutto and also has a cheese cellar. Antica Macelleria Falorni is located in Piazza Matteotti in Greve in Chianti. Here’s a look at the prosciutto which is hanging from the ceiling around the store. If you wander around the store you will find a staircase to lead […]

Polpette Fritte Before coming to Italy, I had never eaten polpette fritte or fried meatballs without them being in sauce. In fact, I couldn’t even imagine eating them dry.  Now, I seem to be obsessed with them and whenever they are on the menu in a restaurant I just have to order them. Instead of […]

Trattoria Sabatino Interesting house made out of pasta, bread and biscotti on display at Trattoria Sabatino. This family run restaurant serves inexpensive, traditional Florentine food on shared tables to patrons.  Good food, quick service and frequented by mainly locals in the neighborhood.  Trattoria Sabatino is located at Via Pisana, 2/red, 50143 Firenze For more information […]

Ponce Livornese   Livorno’s famous drink Ponce Livornese is guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day. This hot toddy is made of rum, hot coffee, sugar and lemon peel. If you visit Livorno, try it at the famous Bar Civili located at via del vigna 55. Italy is a dream that keeps returning […]

Drinks with a view in Florence If you are looking for drinks with a view, the Westin Excelsior Hotel offers an enclosed roof top terrace with a wonderful view of Florence. Bear in mind, you will be paying for the view as it is a bit pricey. We paid 51 euros for 3 glasses of […]

Antica Macelleria Falorni This famous macelleria is located in Piazza Matteotti in Greve in Chianti. Think prosciutto heaven…  Throughout the store, legs of prosciutto are hanging from the ceiling giving off an intoxicating aroma. There is a butcher shop, a cheese cellar and various stacks of vacuum sealed meat products spread around waiting to taken. […]

The Best Lunch Stall in Florence’s Central Market-  Nerbone  A stand-up lunch at Nerbone is something of a rite of passage into true Florentine dining. Nerbone has been stuffing stall owners and market patrons with excellent Florentine cucina povera (“poor people’s food”) since the Mercato Centrale opened in 1874. Nerbone occupies the corner stall inside […]

Dining in Florence Italy on a Budget pt. 1 The Florentine Meal The typical Florentine meal has many courses, and it can take a few hours to work your way through them properly. It starts with an antipasto (appetizer), the two most traditionally Tuscan being affettati misti (assorted salami) and crostini misti (rounds of toast […]