Florence Archives - Page 3 of 30

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 →

Zucchini Blossom Salad, Ricotta and Roman memories

July 7, 2021 / antipasti, Italy, Recipes, Seasonal, What's in Season / 0 comment

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 →

Where to Eat on the Cheap & Budget Dining in Florence, Italy

May 25, 2021 / Florence, Italy, Popular, Where to Eat in Florence / 1 Comment

(Updated in May 2021, due to a literal global pandemic bear in mind to check/call in advance, don’t rely totally on google listings as spots here listed are usually managed independently/don’t update google as frequently/plus restrictions change on a dime. Bookmark as more updates are coming. Opinionated spirals were written pre-pandemic. Please support pretty much anything. Except bad aperitivo buffets)

One of my least favorite questions to get from people, whether friends or strangers, are “can you recommend a restaurant in Florence dove si mangia bene ma per poco. (where you eat well but paying little)” Even worse, is when someone asks “where is a good place for aperitivo in Florence that has loads of food and doesn’t cost a lot.”

Or even better “where can I eat well, with a view, in the center, eat well and pay little.” I decided to respond to my least favorite question with a curated, quality round-up of frill-free eats & budget restaurants in Florence. Continue Reading →

The Last Supper (Before Pandemic): Enoteca Pinchiorri

March 8, 2021 / fine dining, Florence, Italy, Where to Eat in Florence / 0 comment

Agnello (lamb) delle Dolomiti Lucane (Basilicata), polenta bianca d’Avenza croccante (crispy), date reduction and fagioli all’uccelletto (a quintessential cucina povera Tuscan pulse staple) To me, this was the most thoughtful dish of all

Ciao readers, I won’t bore you with another apology of why I haven’t updated the blog in ooooooo weeeee 6 months! Well, I gave a couple excuses in the last post, like giving more attention to my weekly newsletters (subscribe here!). But also, let’s be honest: we’re living during a soul crushing pandemic so I simply haven’t had the motivation.

Now I’m kinda back (? don’t hold me to this) and wanted to share a restaurant review I never shared: the last “normal” meal before the pandemic hit and ravaged the land, at 3 star Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, which felt like it brought my Florence restaurant quest to full circle. Continue Reading →

Antipasto recipe: Burrata con i friggitelli (inspired by a pizzeria in Florence)

October 20, 2020 / Cucina Lockdown (Recipes in the time of COVID-19), Florence, Italy, pizza / 0 comment

In case you were wondering what friggitelli were- they are these! Not spicy and extremely versatile! Although nothing wrong with a little spice 😉

Hello cari lettori (dear readers),

It’s been a hot minute since I wrote to you all. Again, I have a slew of excuses but more honestly, I’ve had a bit of bloggers block. But also, my priorities have shifted. The world has changed. And I’m not sure how many of you are truly interested in another fluff list of where to eat and drink in Florence. Nor sure how much it’s relevant. I sometimes struggle with expressing something joyful when there is so much strife around me. I try not to subscribe to these self-conscious fears, as I would from an objective place see someone with a good nature, would appreciate some enthusiasm and positivity- not see malice of gloat within it.

That being said, my energies have been focused elsewhere- like writing a weekly newsletter. If you’d like more frequent updates from Curious Appetite on what’s happening in Florence, around Italy, Italian ingredient deep dives and freebies like e-recipes, subscribe HERE Continue Reading →