La Dolce Vita

Italy really is the sweet life for anyone that loves food and wine.  It was an absolute treat for the senses in every way. Beautiful vine ripened red tomatoes, hot freshly baked breads, sheets and twirls of perfectly made pasta, mozzarella, pecorino, porcini, crispy butter fried sage, rucola, panacotta, tiramisu oh! the list goes on. And how could I forget the beautifully creamy yet light scoops of the most delicious gelato you've ever had, in every imaginable flavour... Heaven :)

And, it's not just the food. Every nook and corner of every city has a story. Be it medieval or modern, the country is filled with a rich history that you absolutely cannot miss. Churches, palaces, monuments, sculptures, paintings, forts, villas. Each one more beautiful and enchanting than the next. 

To be perfectly honest, the peak summer months are not the most ideal times to visit the popular cities like Florence and Rome because they are just brimming with tourists and the main attractions are so busy and crowded that it doesn't allow you to really take in the sights. That said, the summer is great to walk around the city in the mornings and evenings, explore new corners where the locals are more likely to visit and enjoy the food, parks and balmy evenings with a glass of local wine. 

Here are some of my favourite restaurants that I managed to enjoy and you should too if you do visit the bustling city of Firenze. This is where I spent most of my time in Italy and really had a chance to choose my best picks.

Il Vecchio e il mare (the old man and the sea), a quaint little restaurant tucked away in a courtyard off Via Gioberti is a must. Go there for a leisurely meal as the staff are hardworking but limited which means that the service isn’t the quickest but well worth the wait. The food is simple yet delicious and definitely a favourite amongst the locals. Apart from their many seafood dishes, try their homemade pasta with pecorino and black pepper with a glass of the house vino blanco mmmm a delicious hearty meal.

One of my favourite meals was at a small café near Santa Croce called Cibero. A small menu with quality food. Try the chicken meatballs in tomato gravy. Beautiful moist portions of minced chicken meat balls in a rich flavourful sauce that you can’t get enough of. Finish the meal off with an espresso and the strawberry tart…each mouthful was just as delicious as the last.

When walking around the city don’t forget to sit back and enjoy a café and biscotti at Cafe La Terrazza on the top of the Rinascente on Piazza della Repubblica. It has a wonderful view of the city and a great place to take a selfie or two.

For a night on the town a visit to Santo Spirito is highly recommended. A small square surrounded by little bars, cafes and restaurants filled with tourists and locals alike, all out to have a good time. Try a cocktail or 2 at pop café and a must is the pizza at Borgo Antico….mamma mia!

One of my favourite lunch stops was the JT Caffe and bistro near the Pitti palace. Visit the Boboli gardens in the morning and head down the palace steps to this little designer café that serves a great cup of coffee along with an array of scrumptious sandwiches, silky homemade pasta and delicious cakes and pastries. If you’re into fashion, take a peek into the Jennifer Tattanelli store next door to the café; beautifully designed bags, shoes and clothes.

A must do when in Florence is a trip to explore Tuscany. There are numerous tour operators to choose from but I highly recommend Azzurra from Viaggi d’Ambra. This little lady drives a big van and chalks out a personalised tour of the Tuscan region that leaves you wanting more. She’s great with including kids as part of the itinerary and truly ensures a memorable experience.

Last but not least from one ice-cream buff to another I would stop at try every gelateria that’s around you when you feel like some cold, creamy goodness but some of the popular joints not to be missed include; Vivoli near Santa Croce, Grom near the Duomo and Gelateria dei Neri near the Ponte Vecchio. 

Apart from the wonderful places to eat and drink at, that I could go on and on about, Florence offers a platform of things to do and places to see. Stunning art and architecture that surrounds the city in the form of cathedrals, palaces and homes, to beautifully designed fashion and shoes, to markets filled with local produce, spices and pottery, to the rich history that consumes every bit of the city. And for the more relaxed lot such as myself, a visit to Italy to just relax and do nothing is just as sweet :)

Facebook:
Il Vecchio e il Mare
Cibero
La Terrazza
Viaggi d'Ambra

Websites:
JT Caffe