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negroni pallido luca picchi florence cocktail week

negroni pallido luca picchi florence cocktail week

Photo Credit: Florence Cocktail Week (Luca Picchi’s Negroni “Pallido”) Read more…

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Curious Appetite is a Gourmet Blog by Coral Sisk, Italian-American writer, certified Italian sommelier & culinary tourism specialist from Seattle living in Florence, Italy

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I think we could all use a double Negroni this Fri

I think we could all use a double Negroni this Friday before a certain Tuesday, a full moon and a pandemic halloween 😱

This was taken earlier this Fall at one of my favorite bars in Florence, @localefirenze. Oh my how much has changed in a matter of days- I shudder to think what’s up next.

I truly admire the Florentine bartending community and constantly impressed by how much they adapt and roll with the punches of this year. New rules have constrained them to close by 6pm so Italian aperitivo is taking on a new temporary ritual of day drinking, in some cases 11am! Which I hope sticks around post-rona (not the 6pm closures- the pass for day drinking!) 😜

What you getting up to this eerily odd weekend? Hope it involves a mega distraction 🌝 🎃 #curiousappetite #florentinenegroniclub

While back Stateside everyone begins to indulge in

While back Stateside everyone begins to indulge in a bit of early Halloween candy, Tuscany is preparing for Ognissanti (Nov. 1) with the Pan dei Santi.

This sweet and spiced bread comes from Siena, prepared between October and November since the Middle Ages. You may hear it called by other names such as Pan co' Santi (Bread with Saints) or Pan dei Morti (Bread of the Dead)

The key "saints" of the bread are raisins soaked in Vin Santo, and walnuts. The bread is then prepared with local olive oil, and a dash of black pepper to balance spicy & sweet.

These tasty rolls are perfect for an autumn breakfast or with a glass of Vin Santo after dinner.

(These particular Pan Dei Santi are from Pugi, a favorite local bakery found in Piazza Beccaria. You can always be sure to find fresh, and seasonal baked goods from them 😊 Save for your next visit to Florence!)
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#pandeisanti #italianfood #italiansweets #bakedgoods #florence #florencesweets #seasonalsweets #halloween #italianpastries #lifeinitaly #italianfoodlovers #italylovers #fallfoods #baking #italianbaking #foodhistory #foodinflorence #visititaly #florenceitaly #iloveitaly #italymagazine #foodtours #nytfood #travelandleisure #foodandwine #nytcooking #culturetrip #italiandesserts #tasteofitaly #theculturetrip

Already sent your early ballot in? We are only a

Already sent your early ballot in?

We are only a week away from Election Day! Next Tuesday I can imagine many of us might be a little on edge, but it could be the perfect day to treat ourselves to a real great cup of coffee and a little *virtual* trip to Italy.

Come along and join Curious Appetite for our Virtual Barista workshop.

You'll learn all about what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee, and how to prepare a great coffee with any equipment. The workshop is held next Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 11am PT/2pm ET (8pm Italy time). This might even give you a little caffeine boost to push through the night and catch the results 😊

Grab your tickets at the link in bio!
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#cofeeculture #italiancoffee #cafeitaliano #mokapot #bialetti #coffeelovers #italiancoffeelovers #foodexperiences #virtualexperiences #italygram #italianmornings #wakeupinitaly #curiousappetite #visititaly #italyonmymind #coffeeinitaly #coffeeinitalia #italylovers #frenchpress #coffeemaker #coffeetime #barista #coffeeworkshop

Curious to meet the woman responsible for these 2

Curious to meet the woman responsible for these 2 treats (one an essential food group) and how they arrived to modern dining culture via the renaissance?

Come indulge in a little historical wanderlust with us online tomorrow Tuesday October 27th 12pm PT/3pm ET (8pm Italy time). With a food historian and sommelier, you’ll learn about Renaissance Florence and the history of its dining culture as well as the foods, drinks and ingredients which are said to have emerged thanks to Caterina de’ Medici

Tickets via link in bio under “Eventbrite page & tickets” linktree or in stories.

What are you most curious to learn about Florence’s claims to historic culinary fame-
🍴or 🍷or 🍨?
#curiousappetite #onlinetours

The last supper out @clubculinariotoscano because

The last supper out @clubculinariotoscano because starting tomorrow (Monday, October 26th) bars/restaurants in Italy due to the second #covid19 (tidal) wave have to close by 6pm (but can stay open for takeaway till midnight- but for many it’s not worth it and will shutter their doors till this whole thing blows over- if they can re-open).

Supposedly this will be lifted November 24th but who knows. Who knows if in a week Italy will all be under strict lockdown again or if hospitals will be strained to the max within 2.

Last supper done well, thanks to friggitelli peppers blistered in oil spritzed with citrus, crostoncino with sausage tartare and a healthy snowfall of black truffle and squash flowers fried and intended to be slathered with squacquerone fresh cheese and wrapped with coppa slices, then fava purée with garlicky cicoria greens and testaroli pancake pasta triangles in porcini + nepitella 🌿

I wish there was a better solution or we weren’t here in the first place but here we are, heavy heart and all.

For updates in English on what’s happening/intel on new rules, please make sure to check out posts by @theflorentine @girlinflorence

Now excuse me while I marinate in the memories of simpler times, and wishing with all my might they can return safely.

Speaking of which, any memorable meals to speak of as of late?

Big virtual hug to virtually everyone, we’re all in this tumultuous boat together somehow ❤️
#curiousappetite #florenceitaly

I guess I'll just say it: With elections coming up

I guess I'll just say it: With elections coming up, I think we all deserve a drink, a stiff and strong one!

Know anyone who could use one to get through the rest of 2020? Why not send them a Negroni Club box! With enough provisions for up to 20 Negroni made from craft bitters and spirits (not found elsewhere in the US!), this is the perfect survival gift! If you need extra help digesting, consider adding on a bottle (or two) of craft digestivi amaro to your Negroni box!

Negroni lovers have given these combo boxes an A+++ rating- grazie mille!

Here is what some of our members have said: "I wanted to let you know that we love everything!!! We just tried the two amaro and they are both super fun. Will do a modified negroni with some of the Jefferson next. Anyway, this is such a bright spot in my current depression about not being able to travel. "

Check the link in bio to order (under "Shop!") or contact us to learn more about our Amari & Negroni Club!
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#curiousappetite #negroni #negronilovers #negronicocktail #italiancocktails #negroniclub #campari #gin #ginlovers #vermouth #vermouthlovers #cocktailime #mixology #drinksclub #drinkitalian #craftcocktails #craftliquor #florence #italiandrinks #italianfood #italianfoodlovers #negronitime #dreamingofitaly #weekdaycocktails #gourmeteats #italymagazine #italygram #foodtravel #cocktailtravel

The essential elixir of Italian cooking is extra v

The essential elixir of Italian cooking is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). As it's made from pure cold-pressed olives and depending on the variety of the olive, its color can range from a dark green to a bright green-golden. Italy is starting it's new oil pressing season- we so wish you could be here to experience it!

EVOO can be smooth and rich or a bit sharp and peppery, depending on the variety. New oil should be used to season food whereas EVOO from the previous year should be used for cooking. I love newly pressed oil drizzled on grilled zucchini or squash- the pepperiness gives a great contrast to the sweet notes of these veggies!

What are some of your favorite uses for extra virgin olive oil in your cooking repertoire?
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#oliveharvest #harvest #oliveoil #evoo #extravirginoliveoil #olive #organic #tuscany #olives #tuscanyitaly #tuscantraditions #tuscanfood #italianfood #italysegreta #italystyle #agritourism #italiantradition #gourmetfood #cooking #italiancooking #italymagazine #lifeinitaly #italyliving #italytravel #foodculture #gastronomylover #cookinglover #italylovers #italianfoodlovers #eatingitaly

Sometimes our private tastings are just a little b

Sometimes our private tastings are just a little bitter. 😁

Our online tastings are getting ever more creative and are at times off-menu, we just developed an Italian Amaro tasting! We went through and selected a few favorite amari and walked through their history and the best bites to pair with them- although know amari are meant as digestivi but what’s wrong with getting creative?

Message us for more off-menu curated online tasting events!

Here is what they had to say about the experience:
"We had a great class yesterday with Adrienne! ...

Adrienne was so friendly and knowledgeable and paced the tasting well.

The choices of Amari worked well, and it was very fun and interesting to taste them in different ways. I really appreciated the pairings and trying the Amari first alone and then with ice and lemon/orange. She told us the history of many of the Amari, and I enjoyed seeing the map and finding out where the different Amari come from.

I would say it is all I was expecting from this class and more! I highly recommend Curious Appetite as a great source for virtual tours/tastings. I hope someday to take advantage of your tours in person"

Have a special tasting in mind you would like to try out? The team here at Curious Appetite is happy to organize private tasting tailored just for you, send an inquiry at the link in bio, or message us via DM.
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#amaro #amari #italianamari #italiantasting #italianfood #italianfoodtraditions #bitters #cynar #amarolucano #tasteofitaly #virtualtasting #italytravel #drinkitalian #distillery #Amarigram #Digestivi #lonelyplanet #boozetraveler #travelerinItaly #TLpicks #foodandwine #vinepair #amarilover #decanter #eater #buzzfeast #liqpic #punchdrinks #voguemagazine

Sorry for the IG-unworthy post/angle but I wanted

Sorry for the IG-unworthy post/angle but I wanted to let you know one of Bologna’s most historic cafes did a brave thing and opened a second location in Florence (near Porta al Prato) during the you know who and they do a very appetite-worthy Aperitivo.

Spot the “la grassa” tell-tale sign this spot is a Bolognese import... 🐖
P.s. Don’t sleep on the martini menu 🍸

Enjoyed very much with @phoebetravelpig travel journalist previously in London now in Florence writing fascinating stories- benvenuta a Firenze, cara!

Anyone been to Gamberini in Bologna? I personally love it there. Buon venerdì a tutti! 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

#curiousappetite #florenceitaly

There is only ONE Mario...while known for bistecca

There is only ONE Mario...while known for bistecca, roast or fried rabbit is my usual go to with soggy oily tomato/garlic flavorful zucchini trifolate you probably could use a spoon for.

One of the most nostalgic Florentine lunch icons is Trattoria Mario and it was quite the shock going in this 2020, reduced capacity, plastic dividers and quiet business-minding.

While I worry about the fitness of the eateries which define a city like Florence’s dining character, I’m more worried for the less-famous places who also serve exceptional food. I know times are tough, but if you can treat yourself to a snack or dish from an empty restaurant here or in your parts. Of course if you don’t feel right dining-in, there’s takeaway, etc.

Restaurant experiences are where some of my favorite memories have been formed, especially my first time lunching at Mario’s. In stories I linked to a throwback review from the blog- catch it if you can!

What’s your go-to dish from Mario and other choice Florence spots you love?
🥩 🐰 #curiousappetite #florenceitaly