Italy : Florence
Winter 2011
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Rub the Boar's snout with a coin for a return to Florence
(Feb-2011) |
Journal Entry... Half-expecting a continuation of my daily dose of the pasta-and-pizza combo, little did I know what gastronomic feast awaited me in Florence.
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Chocolate festival
at Piazza Santa Croce |
9-feb: Carnevale di Firenze... Florence had already kicked off with the annual Carnevale di Firenze event. Chocolatiers from around Tuscan region came to Florence to showcase their concoctions in all forms. That night strolling the city, hubby and chanced upon the chocolate carnival happening in Piazza Santa Croce. The mere sight of the chocolate varieties was enough to infect the senses with sugar high. I swear, even the Tooth Fairy would have a frenzy from the chocolate treats and swear to keep the sweet tooth untouchable.
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| Pasta fare in the apartment |
Over in Piazza della Republica strolling the city that Saturday was an open market, where merchants from around Tuscan region had (again) come to Florence to sell the best of the Italian food traditions, including salami, biscotti, and the elusive truffle in large chunks of it for a bargain price. Truly a market haven to visitors, like us, because food sampling was allowed. Don't take advantage of the freebies, or meet the Italian's way of telling you to get lost, lol.
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| Food sampling at the open market in Piazza della Republica |
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Waiting line
at Mario's Trattoria |
Hubby had chosen a selection of truffle-infused salami, while I bought a bagful of biscotti. Speaking of the truffle, it is the underground mushroom and not the chocolate dessert. It is said that female pigs were used to locate the truffle, since its odor resembled the male pig. Hmmm... does it work for humans, too?
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| Two Peas in Florence |
Florence also brags of the Bistecca Fiorentina - a porterhouse steak traditionally served 1-kilo in weight. Knowing where to eat it is the real winner-- Mario's Trattoria, located next door from Mercato Centrale. Open for lunch only, expect a line outside and table sharing inside. Mario's Trattoria's dining area is quite small, with four to five tables.
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Photo-op with Fabio
at Mario's Trattoria |
It was 3PM, and closing time, when we got to Mario's Trattoria. With luck, Mario's son, Fabio, at the counter accommodated us in seeing that we were tourists. I asked him why he would not extend operating hours until the evening (and for added profit), but Fabio's rhetorical reply made sense. Fabio said, "What time is left for me to enjoy life?" Fabio's mantra: It is not about money, it's about the quality of life and always good food!
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| Table sharing inside a full house at Mario's Trattoria |
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Lampredotto in a bun
at Piazzale Michelangelo |
Added to our foodie list the Lampredotto - a Florentine peasant dish made of cow's tripe, served in a bun. Hubby tried the sandwich up in Piazzale Michelangelo, and I took a bite of what's left of it... Surely, the lampredotto is not for the fainthearted.
So you see, Florence is not just home to the renaissance cultural revolution. Florence makes sure to shoot its food traditions straight to your heart... and I might have (just) left my heart in Florence right about then. Having rubbed a coin on the Boar's snout at Mercato Nuovo (new market), I must have assured for myself a return trip to Florence. Keeping my fingers crossed*wink;)
oOo
PHOTOSTITCH
#Italy #Florence #winter2011
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| "The Boar" at Mercato Nuovo... |
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| At Gilli for takeaway dessert treats... |
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| Line outside Mario's Trattoria... |
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| This way to the street market... |
