Italy Archives - Curious Appetite

Where to eat and drink in Bologna, Italy

April 12, 2023 / Bologna, Italy, Popular / 7 Comments

if you are a first time visitor of my blog, I’m an American food & drink writer in Florence since 2012 but have spent considerable time in Bologna between Florence to research and continuously study its cuisine- which fascinates me to no end!

Out of which, a Bologna food tour was born and added to Curious Appetite’s bespoke gamma of small-group, 3 hour tasting tours focused on Florence. I sweat over many bowls of tortellini and slices of mortadella to make it perfect!

If you’re planning a visit, check out this food tour in Bologna (Led by a team of local, certified experts! I wish I could commute there every day to eat pasta and mortadella.) It’s also Lonely Planet-approved!

(Updated: April 2023 but first written in January 2017- due to the pandemic I have limited opportunity to check opening times, etc and also limited time in making this pristine with links and addresses. Drop me a line if there are significant changes you noticed or a listing I should add!)

I have however recently did an update for Eater for an Essential 18 (basically a round-up of must-eats, shops and drinks) It’s really hard to do a listicle of only 18 so this blog post fills in the gaps and offers more options for those who like to have them.

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Where to to eat & drink in Venice, Italy (mostly for cicchetti)

March 29, 2023 / Italy, Venice / 0 comment

This is a highly subjective mini-guide to where to eat in Venice along with tips for spritz, wine, restaurants and local resources. Before I get into that, allow me to share a few thoughts on this majestic city.

Prior to moving to Florence, I boycotted visiting Venice believe it or not. This was in the beginning of my Italian path (which started in 2005 and included trips and study abroad semesters) but the boycott ended when I moved to Florence in 2012. I boycotted visiting because even between 2005-2012, I saw Venice as an unsustainable city overrun by mass tourism and little left for locals. I didn’t want to contribute to the problem.

In hindsight, that was perhaps egocentric, as I’m just one person when we should be getting involved with tackling the bigger monsters such as climate change and global warming fueled by profits over people that pose the truest existential threats to a sinking Venice. Continue Reading →

Where to Eat in Florence for Easter (Pasqua and Pasquetta)

March 22, 2023 / Florence, Italy, Where to Eat in Florence / 1 Comment

sorry, bah babes. You’re what’s for lunch and dinner this weekend

(UPDATED MARCH 2022)

Unless you will be munching with your family or friend’s family on Easter Sunday (Pasqua) and Monday (Pasquetta) in Florence, then you might find this post useful. If you happen to be going to someone’s home for Easter, don’t forget to pick up a chocolate egg- preferably from Vestri in Piazza Salvemini or Urzi on Via Gioberti if at all possible. For colomba cakes, buy from a quality bakery. You can never have too much cake or chocolate on Easter, right?

Not all restaurants in Florence are closed on Pasqua or Pasquetta, in fact some of them drum up really special menus for the occasion. And not all will have special Easter menus- but are still worth the meal if you happen to be in Florence during Easter holidays

grilled lamb at Trattoria Cammillo (I love Cammillo)

Here are 10+ ideas for where to eat in Florence on Easter worth considering for your Easter Sunday and/or Monday meal. Plus links to dining outside Florence and other recipes

Also- since Pasqua and Pasquetta fall on Sunday and Monday- try this guide I built for restaurants in Florence open Sunday and Monday– call to make sure they are open when reserving. There are some spots open on Easter Sunday’s progressive dining crawl if you’d like to partake in something social with a curated menu with festive specialties so you don’t have to make any decisions. Plus an expert guide and sommelier to explain everything along the way.

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Budget-friendly Aperitivo ideas in Florence, Italy

March 3, 2023 / Aperitivo, Florence, Italy / 0 comment

Aperitivo might be the culinary ritual that cemented my love for living in Italy. When I first moved to Florence in 2012 to pursue my dream to live in Italy, I came on my own without help from anyone. So let’s just say I had a student budget and lived in a shoebox of a room in a shared house for the first 2 years.

To stay within my means, I did a LOT of aperitivo nights. That’s what I was able to afford if I wanted to socialize over food and drink, which is one of the most admirable aspects of Italian culture. I can’t think of how else I could have networked and made friends as a newbie.

Drinking well with a pre-dinner snack (the basis of an Italian aperitivo) shouldn’t have to break the bank. And thankfully for me, it didn’t. This post will give you some tips on where to aperitivo on a budget while not having to sacrifice quaffable hooch or tasty snacks to match. Continue Reading →

Where to eat in Florence on Christmas Eve/Day (updated 2022)

November 21, 2022 / Florence, Italy, Quick Food Guides, Where to Eat in Florence / 0 comment

Are you looking for where to eat in Florence on Christmas day? Fear not, traveling food lovers! Curious Appetite did all the dirty work of calling around Florence.

If you are interested in small-group culinary tours Christmas Eve & Day, consider our progressive dining crawl! Tickets sell out quick, book your spot asap.

And on New Year’s Eve we will be doing a special Aperitivo Food & Wine Tour in Florence- examples of past events HERE

The pickings for what’s open in Florence on Christmas day are tight & clean including Persian kebab, traditional spots for Florentine fare & steak and pasta & pizza bars. I first compiled this list in 2016 and keep it updated for your dining delight. Continue Reading →