Firenze

Allow me to take you on a tour of Firenze, Italia!
{slide show below)

The light is different in Florence. I can't describe it, but it makes you want to just sit in a square and sketch, paint, write, and/or anything else creative for hours. There is also so much shopping: Leather bags, shoes, coats, the jewels on Ponte Vecchio... I could go on!

{heads up... my ruby engagement ring, which is no where to be found here in the states, is everywhere in Italy. I smell a trend coming across the pond!}

The eating in Florence, in my opinion, is a bit superior to Rome. We found ourselves dining in very reasonable trattorias, wine and panino shops, and the most amazing dinner theatre experience I have ever had in my life. So far.

Here are the foodie highlights:

Trattoria Antico Fattore

Make a reservation ahead of time! Very classic Florentine fare here. We had the gnocchi in pesto, ravioli, and steak. If you print this voucher out, you will get a FREE bottle of wine with dinner, and a cute little plate! The waiter was very nice. Everyone in Florence is nice!

Trattoria il Contadino

Go before 7:30 to avoid the wait. This place is a bargain for great food. 12 Euro per person for a 3 course meal. Just add 1 Euro for wine. And the food is delicious. I've never heard of a deal like this in my life! We also asked for another liter of wine, and weren't charged! There is no menu here, the waiter will speak very slowly so listen up. But whatever you order is tasty. We actually asked him to make recommendations.

I Fratellini & Gustapanino

The two best panino shops in town! I Fratellini was recommended to us by Gaia of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. At 2.50 Euro, a panino and a reasonably priced glass of chianti can't be beat! We also happened upon Gustapanino. I fell in love with a bread they used. A warm, crunchy yet soft, focaccia, sprinkled with sea salt! At both of these places, you purchase your delicious panino and wine and then eat and drink in the street. The breakfast of champions!

Il Fagioli

You must book ahead or stop by before they open to put your name down for a later time. There is an AWESOME Scottish pub right next door too if you need to wait. Great music too.  Ironically, one of the owners is from a town just next to my home town on Long Island. He has my dream life and I felt at home even though I'm not Scottish! Back to Il Fagioli. Irena from Valdirose recommended this place. Very delicious seasonal food. We noticed that they hand write the menu daily. We had the ravioli with homemade ricotta cheese and veal. Very good wine options and friendly staff.

da Nerbone

The Mercato Centrale is a must see in Florence. The vegetables, the meats and cheese, the garlic... it's an Italian cuisine mecca! Do wait on the long line for lunch at da Nerbone. It's in the far corner along the strip of food courts. We had orecchiette in a delightful ragu, tripe, and salad. Tripe (cow stomach) is really flavorful but the consistency is an acquired attraction. I do recommend manning up and trying it.

Teatro Del Sale

Nothing can beat our experience at Teatro Del Sale. Once you pay for 5 Euro membership (for 1 year) and sign a contract in Italian that may include your first born (just kidding) you then pay a 30 Euro cover for all the wine you can drink, and all of the delicious food that you can eat. Run by the owner of Cibreo, Fabio Picchi, this dinner theatre experience will WOW you. So much food. Antipasti, spreads, vegetables, pastas, seafood, meats, gelati... and it tastes amazing. Fabio looks like King Triton from The Little Mermaid, and as each dish is ready, he shouts loudly in Italian through the glass window of the kitchen. Once everyone has finished eating, they turn the chairs around and you are graced with a performance. We saw a guitar duo covering Stevie Wonder and The Beatles. I haven't eaten and laughed like that in a long time. Truly special.

 Here is a little slideshow!