Just returned from a day out in Florence. It rained and was overcast, but nonetheless, it was great.We started out the day by going to Trattoria Za Za, where I had ravioli Ricotta filled with Ricotta Cheese and Spinach, complimented by Santa Cristina wine. I must admit that I am not usually a wine drinker, but have enjoyed having wine with every meal.
After lunch, we spent some time shopping at a market in downtown Florence. I’m not sure how authentic the market was, but it was a lot of fun to experience. I’m sure we’ll make it back there later this week.
We went to a Catholic mass at 5 p.m. The mass, held in English, was at Basilica Santuario della SS. Annunziata features works of artists from the 16th century. I tried to find out when the church was built, but I’m not entirely sure. I think it’s safe to say it was old.
It’s pretty amazing to walk around town in the shadows of 600 year old buildings. During the day, I remarked that most buildings historic in the United States date to maybe the 1850s. Some of the buildings here were already 300 years old in 1850.
For dinner, we went to Vico del Carmine (Osteria Pizzeria Napoletana). It was the first pizza — and tiramisu, for that matter — I’ve had in Italy (For the record, the pizza had sausage and some other topping the waitress said was “impossible” to translate into English on it). It was the best tiramisu I’ve ever had, I dare say. Again, we had some wine — di Nero D’avola, for those keeping score.
After dinner, we stopped at Il Bovaro — a local micro brewery for some beer. Gotta say, Italian beer is really good, definitely some of my favorites.
I think that brings us up to date on the trip thus far. Tomorrow night, I’m told, we’ll be having the biggest meal ever. To be honest, there’s a lot of food to go around. I’m not sure how people here stay so thin. I suppose the walking helps.
Talk to you soon.
Todd
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