Curious Appetite

Where to Drink in Florence

New in Florence: Enoteca Spontanea + other spontaneous thoughts

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

Negroni turns 100: Where to drink Negroni in Florence, Italy

I hope that in landing on this page you know what a Negroni is and adore it as much as I do. If you don’t know what a Negroni is, indulge this quick (unjust) version of a explainer (this longer one may deal more justice) plus some of my picks for where to drink Negroni in Florence at the end

The Negroni is equal parts sweet vermouth, Campari (or bitter of choice) and gin. It was considered created exactly 100 years ago in 1919 thanks to a man named Count Cammillo Luigi Manfredo Maria Negroni who asked his bartender Fosco Scarselli of Cafe Casoni to supplement gin to his Americano (bitter, vermouth and soda water)- a legend was born! Continue Reading

Where to drink wine and enotecas in Florence, Italy

fancy photos by Tracy Russo of Dolce Vida Photography, any other photo by my mega old iphone

You’d be hard pressed to throw a rock and not hit a wine bar or enoteca in Florence. Yet, so many places are- to me- mediocre in terms of wine selection. The struggle is real to drink beyond the Sangiovese obvious in this Chianti-laden city. Not only are Florentines fervently loyal to their local wine landscape rarely exploring beyond their province, but much of wine served (especially in restaurants) leaves something to be desired in terms of quality and uniqueness. This to me is unacceptable in a country which produces such fascinating wines and is home to hundreds upon hundreds of indigenous grapes!

I find to drink interesting Italian wines/discover new varieties, I need to be pretty much anywhere else but Florence with the exception of a handful of places. Consider most glasses poured and wine lists more often than not are predictable and limited. This is of course speaking from my personal tastes. To understand why I bemoan the wine scene in Florence, I invite you to read this post I wrote last year. Continue Reading

Back in Florence, Best Bars and Conde Nast Traveler Clips!

Photo Courtesy of Manifattura Tabbacchi one of Florence’s best bars on Conde Nast Traveler

It’s funny how time works, you could be stuck in certain moments watching them slip through your fingers faster than you can appreciate them, albeit wishing with all your might for them to never leave your grasp. Then you return to certain realities, and time seems to move slower than molasses.

Luckily since I’ve been back in Florence, I’ve hit the ground running. There’s been some welcomed distractions including new accolade recognizing my tours and more of my published review/writing. Before I get to that, I wanted to share some mushy gushy- then straight on to business I promise! Continue Reading

Manifattura- bringing Italian spirits back in Florence

 

I’m really excited about a new bar recently open in Florence. So new it’s barely a week old.

Now I know this is dangerous territory, to review a bar that is barely born. However, the people behind Manifattura are no stranger to the cocktail world in Florence, namely Fabiano Buffolini, who poured & stirred from fine institutions Florian (I regret is closed) to Golden View Open Bar.

Located in Piazza San Pancrazio, a sort of hidden gem micro ‘hood with Museo Marino Marini. If you haven’t been, this museum is home to classic, contemporary & modern art by Marino Marini in the ex-church of San Pancrazio. More info here since I want to get to the juice of the matter.

The bar is a 50’s retro Italian lounge, herb potted walls at the entrance, lacquered & Tuscan wood table tops, bartenders in white and waiters in suit and tie. Continue Reading

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