Italy Archives - Curious Appetite

Top Picks for Where to Eat & Drink in Florence in August (including Ferragosto)

August 2, 2022 / Florence, Italy, Where to Eat in Florence / 4 Comments

Pasta in Florence tomato pappa al pomodoro — All things summer tomatoes at Osteria de’ Pazzi- open all August

(updated August 2022)

The last time I updated this guide was in 2020, and it was one of the oddest years to be writing anything about dining. Remember the dilemma we faced (or still do) to dine out and support restaurants? Contact tracing, sanitation, limited tables, etc?

And now even though the pandemic isn’t over- maskless indoor undistanced dining and travel is back in full swing. And being someone who often experiences existential dread, who knows for how long this will be infinitely possible as it is very clear our planet is fighting back against us.

This post (originally written in 2017, I believe!?) is updated to be your guide to eating and drinking well in Florence during August (specifically, for one of Italy’s most important national holidays, Ferragosto, the 15th of August (Assumption day) with the hopes someone will find it useful.

When I last updated it, it was a guide to places open on Ferragosto. Since this year the holiday falls on a Monday, (a common closure day for restaurants/bars) the pickings are slimmer so I’ll focus on excellent restaurants in Florence open for most of August. Continue Reading →

10 years in Florence and thoughts on San Francisco

June 21, 2022 / Florence, Florence, Italy, San Francisco, Updates, Updates / 1 Comment

Well, hello! It’s been a while (shocker!) and thought I’d take a stab to 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, experiencing some disappointments in San Francisco, taking a break in Florence while observing the world become an even crazier place- 2 years since the onset of a global pandemic.

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

April 25, 2022 / 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!)

November 6, 2021 / 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

October 25, 2021 / 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 →