Mangia!

The summer of 24' was full of good people, good atmospheres, and especially good eats. Revisiting Italy meant revisiting a culture that I hold dear to my heart. The first time I came to Italy was as a study abroad trip in college. Living in Florence, Italy for a month was an opportunity and and experience I cherish. I learned about the language, the people and most importantly, the best places to eat. Each day was full of decadent desserts and flavorful food combinations.

Returning to this place rekindled my love for..well carbs. The flour in Italy, and in most European countries, is different than the one we consume here. There are no additives, no preservatives, no extra ingredients to prolong the 'freshness.' Dough was only made and consumed day of. The extremely hilarious and 'haha' thing, is that people with gluten allergies in the states could actually comfortably consume the gluten! (Not haha). While I could complain that the states and the FDA lack a sense of urgency with their food health status, I will simply give you an unrealistic invitation to visit Italy. If you plan to do so, here are some food recommendations for you. I did the scoping, so you can do the tasting ;)

1. Gustapizza

   Gustapizza, owned by a very friendly man named Francesco, makes the best Neapolitan pizza in town. For only six to seven euros, you get a large pizza with the undeniably perfect ratio of cheese and sauce to yourself. There are no 'slices' in Italy, and there are no leftovers either. If you are like me and enjoy a good pesto dish, do not hesitate to order the Pesto Pizza. With a tender and chewy scoop of fresh buratta in the center, you get to experience the perfect bite each time. The Caprese Pizza is my second favorite on the menu, with fresh tomatoes and basil covering the gooey cheese. As an Aperol Spritz enthusiast, I recommend having this drink alongside your piping hot pizza.

2. Il Santino

   This wine bar is as tiny as a traditional family room. But it is also as homey as you can get. With only a few seats inside, you are likely going get to know your neighbor. Next door provides the sit down meals, but this little corner shows the heart of the Italians. Most of the times this wine bar expanded to the outside street as the Italians all came together after a long day at work. Pro tip: Grab a glass of wine, and do some people watching until your name is called for dinner next door. This will help the time pass ;)

   
   
   

   
   
   
   
   

3. I Fratellini

   Tucked away on one of the busiest shopping streets of Florence is this tiny sandwich shop. For around four-five euros, you can get a comically large sandwich stuffed with the best cheeses and meats. There is a wonderful vegan option as well, filled with bright veggies and spreads. If you don't want to stray too far from the busy streets of Florence, this little walk up sandwich shop will be perfect to grab a quick lunch and continue on your way.

4. La Loggia

   If you want to end the trip with dinner that ends in a song and dance party, I suggest La Loggia. This restaurant sits on top of Michelangelo Square with a beautiful overlook of all of Florence. I highly suggest getting reservations around the time of the sunset to experience the beautiful fleeting colors of the sun. This restaurant provides a perfect ambience of fine dining and live music. By the end of the night, four hours will have passed, and you will all be singing along to the performers' rendition of Abba or Frank Sinatra.

   
   
   

   

   

   

   
   
   

5. Gelato!

   While I don't have a specific gelato place for you to go to, I do have the location where you should be looking. The gelato spots in the "the Oltrarno" area is the real deal. The Oltrarano means "the other side of the arno" in Italian, it's the area where I have most of my food recommendations. This area is more inhabited by locals, which usually means authentic food and cheaper prices. Avoid the mountains of brightly colored gelato, look for the gelato in stainless steel tins with lids.

6. Zeb

   If you're willing to endure the most socially stressful environment, while experiencing some of the best food in Florence, I recommend Zeb. My best friend, my dad and I left overthinking every interaction we had with the chef while also dreaming about ecah pasta dish we ate. While the chef does a wonderful job at making you feel extremely out of place and not wanted, you can't help but taste the love in that food. I want to prepare you for a somewhat unpleasant experience but also encourage you to lean into it. At the end of the day, we shared unbelievably divine dishes along with a funny story to tell for years to come about how he got my vegan friend to eat meat out of fear.

   
   
   

   

   

   

   
   
   

As I continue to explore this region, I will update you all! Buon appetito!