Curious Appetite

General Eating Out

New in Florence: Enoteca Spontanea + other spontaneous thoughts

/ Florence, Food For Thought, Italy, Reviews, Where to Drink in Florence / 1 Comment
photos by Tracy Russo

I haven’t written a review in a while, as the last (nearly) 3 years since the pandemic broke have taken such a toll on the restaurant industry- I felt they would be unfair and to some extent, frivolous. Although I’ve updated my Eater guide to Florence (and this essential 18 to Bologna), doing stand-alone reviews have fallen by the wayside.

Partly because the world of blogging is changing since I started nearly 15 years ago and partly because, highlighting a singular spot in a touristic hotspot like Florence comes with a double edge sword. On the one hand, bloggers like myself (who started without “strategy”) truly enjoy sharing and highlighting new businesses. But it comes with the risk we may not be able to go anymore once it starts catching on. Continue Reading →

Notes about returning to Memphis and why Southern Cuisine is amazing

/ AMERICA, Food For Thought, Gourmet Press / 1 Comment

The last time I wrote, I had just arrived to a chilly Memphis, Tennessee for the Saveur Blog Awards, sweetly excited yet unaware what the next days would have in store for me. Now I write from a smoky San Francisco, my heart hurting for those whose lives either taken horrifically or changed forever from the fires devastating Northern and Southern California, while mulling over how I can best express the thoughts which have been percolating. Continue Reading →

Judging Europe’s Best Gelato and Postrivoro “Top Chef” Pop-Ups

/ Emilia-Romagna, Food For Thought, Gelato, Italy, Updates / 0 comment

Remember last year when I was judging at the Gelato Festival for the World’s Best? Well, kinda like the world cup, rounds are now running leading up to the next world competition in 2021.

This mid-September, I was on the panel to judge for the European Finals “All Stars” for title of Best in Europe, and those present at the All Stars competition were winners from previous rounds held around the world. The winners here will go on to the next rounds on the road to World’s Best.

So how was it?

Continue Reading →

Better ask a sommelier: Andrea Galanti of Gastronomia Galanti

/ Florence, Food For Thought, Where to Drink in Florence / 0 comment
Dear prosecco, didn’t thing I’d pass your schooling, did you? wait, maybe I need more..

Better ask a who??? A sommelier! What’s a sommelier and why you better ask him?!

Let me first explain a bit this category. Since I maintain a food blog in Florence, I’d like to interject expert voices from time to time on this complex yet highly sought out matter. Experts to me are those who work blood, sweat and tears in what they do like chefs, sommeliers, bakers, farmers, artisans, culinary instructors (not the touristy type) and OG food critics like Ruth Reichl (an expert in expressing both soul and poignancy). Because I muse about these topics and lead wine tours in Tuscany, I wanted to provide a platform to ask experts their opinions. Also to have an excuse to drink more…you know for “research.” Continue Reading →

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