Curious Appetite

Italy

10 years in Florence and thoughts on San Francisco

/ Florence, Florence, Italy, San Francisco, Updates, Updates / 0 comment

Well, hello! It’s been a while (shocker!) and thought I’d take a risk to actually write something coherent on this abandoned blog of mine. I write as my body is currently doing its earnest to process the sweltering sticky heat that is Florence’s sauna state. This year has been a wild ride- the beginning started with a lot of uncertainty as omicron casted a shadow of doubt on the travel industry’s rebound, having some crushing disappointments in San Francisco and observing the world from Florence since late February (2 years since the ‘rona broke).

I also write this week as I enter my exact 10 year anniversary since I packed up from Seattle to pursue my dream to move to Italy. This post will be a reflection on what it has been like to move to Italy, assimilated, questioned, move back to the US and where I stand now juggling a current hybrid Italy/US life. Continue Reading →

Essential 18 Restaurants in Bologna, Italy for Eater

/ Bologna, Gourmet Press, Italy / 2 Comments

Hey there! I wanted to let you all know I am still alive even if my blog feels like it’s dying. I am not- it’s just my blog has become more of a chore than the hobby I used to love. But! When I can manage it, I do churn out some professional writing.

I’ve been taking a little hiatus from blogging and writing for more that the usual reasons which involve blaming my core business. It’s also due to the fact I’m updating the layout (exciting!) on the blog and trying to work on a writers block which has plagued me as a result to our current plague.

In any case- I hope you enjoy this update on Restaurants in Bologna for Eater. I also have this other blog post for where to eat, drink and gelato in Mortadella town which expands on more fantastic places to get calories vs a strict list of 18 (I stand by both listicles!)

As usual, I’m the most active on Instagram. (I wish TikTok would go away)

In your baloney trust,

Curious Appetite

Hey so want to experience food in Bologna like on a food tour? Peep this Lonely Planet-approved culinary adventure!

Essential Restaurants in Florence for Eater (UPDATED!)

/ Florence, Italy, restaurants in Florence, Updates, Where to Eat in Florence / 0 comment
channeling spaghetti and steak girl here

In 2017, Eater approached me and ask if I wanted to give Florence a space in their Essential Restaurant list round-ups and every year or so after I am tasked with updating this guide. It was due for an update in 2020 but for obvious reasons that task had to go on the back burner.

Now that some parts of the world are privileged enough to resume leisure activities and dining in, it was time to dust off this doc.

If you’d like to cut to the chase, go ahead and hit up the guide on Eater. To understand more of the process, food for thought and some additional “off-menu” dining tips, continue reading. Continue Reading →

Tour’ing Schiacciata vs Focaccia and Better Panini in Florence

/ Bakeries, Florence, panini / 2 Comments

I am finally compelled to write you all after a whirlwind stay in Florence. This time, things started to feel normal again. I never want to hear the words “zona gialla/arancione/rossa” ever again. I experienced Florence in a period in which I felt like I could finally resume what life was remotely like before the modern day plague struck. That is, doing tours, dining out and living between two places I consider home: San Francisco and Florence, Italy.

I write you from my couch in San Francisco, sipping on a negroni (made myself *unwashed/unbrushed hair flip*), in tattered pajamas no less. Just as I would have imagined my first real blog entry to be in the last nearly 2 years to look like. I hope you appreciate the visual picture I’m painting…

I was brought back to Florence to check on our culinary tours/events (so stoked they have been able to “ripartire” after this mess!). I’ll be in SF for the remainder of the year if anyone wants to book a food tour, wine tasting or company/holiday event! Continue Reading →

Zucchini Blossom Salad, Ricotta and Roman memories

/ antipasti, Italy, Recipes, Seasonal, What's in Season / 0 comment
Missing Leo’s stand in Sant’Ambrogio….

Since Florence (and much of the world in Summer season) is steaming hot, I thought to share a fresh salad recipe and some ideas for using squash blossoms (that aren’t only battering/frying). Not really a creative feat since so simple, but I had a hard time finding inspiration online for non-fried recipes for zucchini flowers so thought I’d share some of mine! Along with a few memories on how these fiori di zucca are treated (and devoured) in Italy. Continue Reading →

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